Today I would like to introduce you to the historic shop "Kameya Mutsu" in Kyoto. One of their signature products is the delicious confectionery called "Matsukaze," which has been passed down since the Muromachi period. Similar to Kansai's "Kusumochi," this fermented confectionery may seem niche, but it is worth trying even in modern times. It's a far cry from the mass-produced Western sweets made with oil, sugar, and chemicals. Established in 1421 (Oei 28), "Kameya Mutsu" is a well-established store with a long history. It is said to have served the 8th head of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect, Rennyo Shonin, who is even mentioned in textbooks. With a history dating back to the Muromachi period, the shop has an impressive story of providing provisions to the Honganji Temple during the conflict between Oda Nobunaga and the Ishiyama Honganji. The shop's long and narrow layout is a common sight in Kyoto, exuding a sense of dignity. The "Matsukaze" confectionery was created during the prolonged conflict known as the Ishiyama War when rice supplies were scarce. It is made by kneading wheat flour with malt syrup and white miso, fermenting it, and then baking it. The refined taste of "Matsukaze" has been favored as a ceremonial confectionery at the Nishi Honganji Temple since the Edo period. The process involves kneading wheat flour with sugar, malt, and white miso, allowing it to ferment overnight, shaping it into a circular form, baking it on a flat pot, cooling it on a net, and cutting it into strips. When you open the box of "Matsukaze," you are greeted by a refined and elegant appearance. The confectionery, neatly arranged in a white box, exudes sophistication. The moment you open the box, the aroma of miso is striking. Despite its initial hardness, the confectionery becomes chewy and the miso flavor gradually blends in as you bite into it. The mustard seeds provide a nice touch, adding an accent to the overall experience. The texture is reminiscent of a combination of rice cake and bread, creating a unique sensation. Overall, this confectionery is fragrant and rich in flavor, and the value of the confectionery depends on how well you can enjoy its aroma. As it ages, the fermentation process enhances the acidity and aroma, making it a true delicacy. It is surprisingly light, with each piece containing around 40 calories.

The takeout item was Matsukaze, an 8-piece set. The dough is made by mixing wheat flour, sugar, malt syrup, and white miso, and allowing it to naturally ferment. The dough is then poured into a round pot with a diameter of about 45.5cm, sprinkled with poppy seeds on the surface, and baked to create a large round Matsukaze. The round Matsukaze is cut into strips. Personally, I think it has the perfect level of sweetness and a great flavor with plenty of poppy seeds. "Kameya Mutsu" - satisfying my appetite! 🐢💪🏼

On September 18, 2023, I tried the dish called "Matsukaze" which comes in a pack of 8 for ¥700 (tax included). This dish has a long history dating back to the year of Genki (1570) when it was created by Otsuka Haruchika, the third generation of our family, during the battle between Oda Nobunaga and Ishiyama Hongan-ji in Osaka. It was used as a substitute for provisions during the conflict and was later named "Matsukaze" after a poem composed by the monk Kennyo at his residence in Kyoto. Since then, this dish has been a symbol of pilgrimage to the main temple for followers. With a simple taste and appearance that has been nurtured by many over the centuries, this traditional confection from Kameya Mutsu continues to be loved by many people today.

I visited the shop on Sunday at 2:00 pm. There were 3 customers ahead of me. I didn't have to wait at all. This shop has become one of the top 100 shops this year by offering both sweets and traditional Japanese sweets separately. I ordered a small red bean cake (220 yen). It had a simple taste.

I went to buy the famous "Matsukaze" in a bulk pack. Although it's for home use, I love the unique taste of the cut-off pieces. Matsukaze at Nishirokuji Temple is shaped like a hotcake. The taste is similar to Matsukaze, but it also contains boiled soybeans, giving it a nostalgic feel.

Today, I bought souvenirs here. This shop is located about a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station, and I have been here a few times before, so it feels nostalgic. I was looking for the Tokuyou bag from Matsukaze. Although this is the cut-off end of Matsukaze, some people buy it as a souvenir. It was chewy and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I went to Kyoto and visited Kameya Rikyu. I bought the famous Matsukaze from Kameya Rikyu. Matsukaze is a simple baked confectionery with plenty of pine nuts. It is lightly sweet and has a chewy texture, like a bread or focaccia. It is bite-sized, making it very easy to eat. I would like to try other sweets next time.

I visited "Kameya Mutsu" located in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. It is about a 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station. The shop is close to Honganji Temple and has a traditional Kyoto-style exterior. Inside, there are many traditional Japanese sweets, but the must-buy item is "Matsukaze." It is said that this sweet was eaten during the Battle of Ishiyama between Oda Nobunaga and Ishiyama Honganji. Of course, I bought some as well. When you open it, you see a simple appearance with brown grill marks and poppy seeds. The texture is soft when you take one out. When you taste it, you will experience a gentle sweetness and the flavor of miso. It was a really delicate taste. Looking at the ingredients, it contains "wheat flour (domestic), sugar, malt syrup, white miso, poppy seeds." It's also simple. Thank you for the meal.

Souvenir-worthy Nishihongwanji Temple has a quaint shop. This shop has a long history, having been used as a supply of provisions during Oda Nobunaga's attack on the temple, and also appearing as a snack in the novel "Moeyo Ken" by Ryotaro Shiba featuring the Shinsengumi. The sweet treat is not overly sweet and goes well not only with Japanese tea but also with black tea. Thank you for the feast.

Located about a 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, this shop has no parking. Established in 1421, it is a remarkably historic Kyoto confectionery shop. The representative specialty is "Matsukaze." This historic confection was created as a substitute for rations during the 11-year battle between Oda Nobunaga and Ishiyama Hongan-ji. It tastes like a hard pancake, but that simple description is quite disrespectful. It is a delicious confection with a flavor of white miso that becomes addictive. The bulk bag is only available at the main store, priced at 750 yen including tax per bag. I purchased two bags of this. Other customers were also buying multiple bags of these bulk bags. Everyone seems to be very familiar with it.

Revisit 20220121 1. Purpose of visit - This visit is part of my plan to gather information from a wide range of establishments, from long-established shops dating back to the Muromachi period to newly opened stores that seem trendy in the 2020s. It has been three years since my last visit to Kyoto in October 2019. 2. Shop information - Genre on Tabelog: Japanese sweets - Established in 1421 during the construction of Hongan-ji Temple in Yamashina, serving the temple and being involved in offerings and various matters since that time. - The renowned confectionery "Matsukaze," created by the third generation owner, Otsuka Haruchika, during the battle between Oda Nobunaga and Ishiyama Hongan-ji in 1570 (the Ishiyama Battle), is said to have served as a substitute for provisions. - Business hours: 08:30-17:00 - Regular holiday: Wednesdays, January 1-3 3. Crowdedness and atmosphere on the day of visit - Visited around 14:30 on a weekday with no other customers before or after. - The atmosphere was decent, with a clean renovation, and the interior did not exude a strong sense of history. 4. Customer service - The staff followed the manual for their service. 5. Purchased item - Matsukaze (8 pieces in a bag) for 750 yen - I decided to purchase this product considering its appeal for this visit. Matsukaze is made by mixing wheat flour, sugar, malt syrup, and white miso, fermenting the mixture naturally, pouring it into a pot with a diameter of about 45.5 cm, sprinkling poppy seeds on the surface, and baking it. It has a unique texture that is slightly chewy and not easy to cut, with a light sweetness and the added flavor of white miso. It is a delicious treat with a shelf life of over 10 days, making it a recommended souvenir option. Thank you for the meal. [Pre. 05]

I came to Kyoto today for a family event, so I stopped by this shop on the way back. I entered the shop at 11:00 and ordered the famous Matsukaze with 24 pieces. It's a traditional Kyoto sweet that I found when I searched for "Kyoto old-established shops." It looks like castella at first glance, but the outside has a chewy texture with a gradually increasing sweetness as you chew, while the inside has a bread-like texture. It was a sweet I had never tasted before!

Located in front of the gate of Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto, this long-established Japanese confectionery shop has been serving the temple for over 600 years. Their signature sweet is called Matsukaze, made from miso, wheat flour, and sugar. It is said to be the original Matsukaze among Kyoto's three famous Matsukaze confectioneries, with a history dating back to the mid-Muromachi period. The shop is known for providing Matsukaze as provisions during the Siege of Ishiyama by Oda Nobunaga. In addition to Matsukaze, the shop offers other traditional Japanese sweets, such as round Matsukaze and Matsukaze cut into strips and packed in boxes. I purchased an 8-piece box of Matsukaze for 650 yen, which can be stored at room temperature for about 10 days. When I tried the Matsukaze, I found the texture to be slightly dry and firm, with a natural sweetness from sugar and malt syrup, along with the nutty flavor of poppy seeds. The subtle umami of white miso also added a nice touch. While there are other famous Matsukaze confectioneries in Kyoto, such as Matsuya Fujihei near Daitoku-ji Temple and Matsuya Tokiwa, my personal favorite is Matsuya Tokiwa's miso Matsukaze. The shop also offers a variety of other traditional Japanese sweets, including yokan, dried sweets, fu senbei, and seasonal fresh sweets. You can find their products at department stores like Takashimaya and Isetan. The shop is about a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station, or you can take a bus and get off at Shichijo Horikawa, where you'll see signs for "Hon-ha Honzan Matsukaze Choshinjo" and "Kameya Mutsu."

Located in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, the traditional Japanese confectionery shop "Kameya Mutsu" has a rating of 3.57 on Tabelog, ranking 742nd out of approximately 22,000 restaurants in Kyoto Prefecture. In the "Kyoto Prefecture [Japanese Sweets]" ranking, it holds the 67th position. I visited the shop for a takeout of their famous "Matsukaze" confectionery, priced at 1,100 yen including tax. The Matsukaze was delicious with a firm texture, made from a mixture of wheat flour, sugar, malt syrup, and white miso, fermented and baked with sesame seeds on top. The shop has a long history dating back to 1421, serving as a supplier to local temples. The experience of tasting their traditional confectionery was truly meaningful in a region known for its rich culinary culture.

After the peace treaty with Oda Nobunaga, the monk Genjo wrote a poem at the Shimotsuma residence in Kyoto, which gave the name to Matsukaze! Established in 1483, this is a very old-established store. I was very curious about what it would taste like, so I tried it, and it was like a firm Japanese-style sponge cake! It is made with wheat flour, sugar, malt sugar, white miso, and poppy seeds. It is naturally fermented before being baked. Eating it while thinking about the historical background, I felt that it was made very skillfully! Thank you for the meal.

In the autumn of the first year of the Genki era, Oda Nobunaga tried to take over the Ishiyama Honganji temple in the current location of Osaka Castle, but was rejected by the high priest Kennyo, leading to eleven years of battle. During this time, the confectionery created by the third generation of the Otsuka family, Haruchika, became a valuable source of food for the followers protecting the temple grounds. The confectionery was later given the name "Matsukaze" by the high priest and has been passed down for over four hundred years, receiving the patronage of many. The ingredients listed in the description were wheat flour, sugar, malt syrup, white miso, and poppy seeds. When trying this confectionery for the first time, it had a unique flavor and texture that was quite sophisticated.

I went to buy it in the evening on a regular day! In addition to gifts, they also sold bags that included samples, so I bought the bagged version and took it home. It can last for 10 days. The flavor is miso, but it's quite mild. I thought it would be soft and fluffy, but it's a traditional Japanese confection that is hard to bite through, like crushed bread. It was a new experience in a way... Hmm, it had pretty good reviews on Tabelog, but I'm not sure about it... This shop, which is a bit away from the station, also has a store in Isetan at Kyoto Station.

I visited this place with a distinctive sign in front of Saikyo-ji Temple. It has an old-fashioned Japanese confectionery shop vibe with a spacious tatami seating area. I got the "Matsukaze Manju" for takeout. It was a basic manju with red bean paste wrapped in sesame-covered skin.

This Matsukaze has been a favorite snack with a consistent taste since I was young. If you're eating at home, it's best to buy the economy pack. The shapes may not be uniform, but the taste and texture are the same, so you can enjoy eating as much as you want. It goes well with green tea, as well as coffee or black tea. Thank you for the meal.