In March 2023, after visiting Kiyomizu-dera, I had some time before dinner, so I decided to stop by "Kyoto Uji Kinshidai" for the first time in a while (even though they close at 5 pm, I entered at 4:30 pm, sorry!). I was interested in their shaved ice, but since it was close to closing time, I opted for an ice cream that I could finish quickly. I chose the roasted green tea ice cream with red bean for 1000 yen (my friend chose the Tanba chestnut with kinako). We waited at a table for a while until the ice cream arrived, and then we dug in. The roasted green tea flavor was rich and delicious, and the combination of red bean and ice cream was perfect. The red bean was so good, I could eat it endlessly. I finished it in no time and left before 5 pm. It was a delicious meal!

Kyoto Uji Kinjiya: Located at 569-10 Shiraitocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. They offer Black Wagyu Beef Udon for 1700 yen. Although famous for their matcha shaved ice, the owner also puts effort into their udon dishes. I highly recommend trying their udon with a gentle broth. The noodles are chewy and very delicious. It's a great stop on the way to Kiyomizu Temple, so be sure to check it out!

Kyoto Arashiyama [Ujikintokiya] ☑️ Special selected milk Yame Kintoki ¥1800 A shop where you can enjoy authentic matcha shaved ice made with natural ice. ▶ Shaved ice prices vary depending on the matcha grade (around 1300-3300 yen). The higher the price, the less bitterness and the stronger the sweetness and flavor of the matcha! ▶ I was indecisive because there were many types of shaved ice, but my friends recommended the Yame Kintoki which was incredibly rich! You can really feel the bitterness and flavor of the matcha. The sweetness of the azuki beans cooked with organic sugar is just right, making it even more delicious when eaten together! ▶ The owner with a unique character was also interesting. I rushed in just before closing time, so next time I will go and enjoy it slowly.❁ ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ [569-10 Shiraitocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto ⏰ 10:00-21:30 ⚠️ Business hours may change irregularly! Irregular holidays] ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼

Located on the way from Keihan Main Line Shimizu Gojo Station, heading east along Route 1 and climbing the slope of Gojo Street, "Kyoto Uji Kin Tokiya" is a popular rest stop that has been selected as one of the top 100 dessert shops in the west for two consecutive years! Their menu includes a variety of dishes centered around udon noodles, as well as desserts such as shaved ice and ice cream, making it a well-stocked establishment. However, their operating hours can be a bit unpredictable, especially during weekdays, so it's recommended to check in advance. On a particular weekday, after waiting for an hour, I was finally able to visit this place, which was open from 11 am onwards. The store is known for its hojicha soft serve ice cream, but unfortunately, it was not available when I visited. Instead, I opted for the hojicha ice cream, which had a rich and intense flavor that was truly delightful. The owner, who provided detailed explanations about their products, recommended their special hojicha shaved ice, which is made from high-quality tea leaves containing theanine, a rare and luxurious ingredient for shaved ice. Overall, the taste was excellent, and the service provided by the owner was top-notch. Despite the slightly higher prices, the quality of the food justifies the cost. If you happen to be in the area, I would recommend checking out "Kyoto Uji Kin Tokiya" for a unique and delicious experience.

Uji Kinjou Kakigori Kyoto Travel Cafe - I was guided to the second floor, but it was different from the photos on the shop's introduction page. The hanging scrolls and other decorations were removed, leaving only tables and chairs. The staff confidently raised the bar by saying they do things differently from other shops, and suggested looking at reviews. However, I was completely disappointed. The drinks and kakigori did not suit my taste at all, and I couldn't finish them. The anko served with the tea was also puzzling and hard to understand. It's strange how a shop with a high status like a top 100 shop can have mixed reviews like this. I left the shop feeling confused, wondering if the people making the food change daily or if something has recently changed. I recommend checking other reviews on search sites before considering this place.

I visited Kyoto Uji Kanjikuya, located 12 minutes from Kiyomizu Gojo Station! I was able to take a few days off during the Obon holiday, so I decided to go back to my hometown for the first time in a year. Since I had to visit a grave in Kyoto, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit some famous shops! So, I stopped by this place, which won the Sweets WEST Top 100 Stores 2023 award! They are even ranked number one on Tabelog for shaved ice in Japan! When I entered the store, there were 2-3 seats on the first floor and about 5 tables on the second floor. It seems like a tea shop is running the place, and they seem to put more emphasis on tea than shaved ice! I visited with my family and ordered four different items! Now, here are the items we ordered this time. - Betsukaku Milk Uji Kanjikuya 3300 yen This matcha does not use sugar, so you can enjoy the true taste of matcha. Matcha can be broadly divided into two types: catechin (bitter) and theanine (not bitter), and it seems like Betsukaku's shaved ice uses theanine tea leaves. I tried the first bite without adding the milk on top. It was clearly different from the matcha I had eaten before, and I could enjoy a sense of luxury. It was a deep, yet completely non-bitter, adult-like matcha. There was also homemade red bean paste inside, which was so delicious that I wanted to buy some to take home. The staff were all friendly, and I would love to visit this great place again when I stop by Kyoto. It was delicious!

I was prepared to wait in line to eat shaved ice, but the road was congested and it was difficult to find parking. However, we were able to enter the shop without waiting in line. We placed our order and were seated on the second floor. We sat next to a group of people from China and Taiwan, making it a lively atmosphere. I ordered the special Yame sweet potato flavor, number 7, while my companion ordered the premium Uji sweet potato flavor, number 10. When it arrived and I took a bite, I noticed it wasn't as sweet as I expected, but rather had a slightly bitter taste. I usually don't add milk, but maybe it would have been better with it. My companion's choice seemed easier to eat. I drink Yame tea every day, but I didn't expect the shaved ice to be this bitter. Even with the sweetness of the red bean, I couldn't say "delicious!" after the first bite. Thank you for the meal.

I went to visit Kiyomizu-dera and decided to try the popular shaved ice there. It was a perfect treat to cool down on a hot summer day. However, the shop was a bit small, so be aware of that. The reviews were great, but personally, I found the dessert a bit lacking. The matcha syrup lacked sweetness and tasted more like authentic matcha with only the sweetness of red beans. I felt that the dessert needed more sweetness and aroma to make a bigger impact. Also, the customer service was not very good, which was a downside. Despite the high rating of 3.9, there may be some inconsistency in quality.

I saw a "udon" sign, so I decided to have lunch there. I ordered the meat udon. The broth was gentle and the noodles were chewy and delicious. However, it seemed like the specialty of the shop was actually shaved ice, as other customers were ordering shaved ice. When ordering, the staff mentioned, "If you don't like matcha, you might not like catechin." I can't drink any tea, not just matcha, because the bitterness of catechin makes me nauseous. Curious, I decided to order shaved ice. I tried to order matcha shaved ice, but ended up getting coffee milk shaved ice out of fear. The ice melted in my mouth, and the refreshing bitterness of coffee with the sweetness of syrup spread in my mouth. While eating, the staff kindly offered a small portion of matcha shaved ice as a service. Despite my fear, I scooped up a bit of the matcha shaved ice and took a trembling bite... Surprisingly, it wasn't bitter at all! It had a chestnut-like sweetness that surprised me. My hands were still shaking, but I managed to finish it. I never thought I would eat matcha shaved ice. It was a surprising shaved ice experience.

In late July in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto... The weather was a mix of cloudy and sunny, and it was very humid. As I headed towards Kiyomizu-dera, I noticed many foreign tourists on the way up Gojo-zaka. I stopped at a place with high ratings on Tabelog and bought their hojicha soft serve. The portion was not very big, but it was packed with flavor and aroma of tea. The soft serve had a strong hojicha taste, even a hint of bitterness, which added a nice touch. It was a delicious treat, thank you!

I arrived before the store opened on Saturday and was able to enter when it opened. The staff's passion for food and tea was amazing, and they recommended the combination of Uji Kinjou Milk Kakigori and Gyokuro. Both were incredibly delicious on their own, but when combined, I experienced even more depth and richness in the tea flavor.

I went to Kiyomizu because a friend who had never been there wanted to go. It was too hot in Kyoto in the summer, so I couldn't bear it without eating shaved ice. It's a bit pricey as a tourist spot, but it's cold and delicious. [Access] It's located walking towards the temple from Kiyomizu Gojo. [Good points] The shaved ice is topped with rich matcha syrup.

Visited the popular sweet shop "Kyoto Uji Kanetokiya" on Gion Shijo. It seems to be a sister store of the long-established sweet shop "Darumaya Mochigashi-ten" in Tokyo's Jujo. They have a quite expensive shaved ice called "Uji Kanetoki" (¥1300). It's said to be different in the quality of tea used, but I couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of yen on shaved ice, so I ordered the standard Uji Kanetoki. It was good. The tea had a fragrant bitterness and the red bean paste had a lot of moisture but still retained its texture. However, there's something about it that's just too strong for me. It might appeal to those who like it, but it's not quite my taste.

Uji Kanjiya closes temporarily every year during the plum harvest season to go and purchase plums. While this is a good practice, it is questionable whether the unique characteristics of the plums truly shine in their shaved ice. The owner seems to justify charging a higher price for the shaved ice due to the effort and cost of sourcing the plums, but it is difficult to determine if the quality justifies the price increase. It's a tricky situation to navigate.

The special milk Uji Kanjiki for 3300 yen and the premium milk Yame Kanjiki for 1700 yen. Since when did shaved ice become so expensive? It's delicious though. The Uji Kanjiki is different from others because of the matcha, as the staff explained in detail. It is definitely delicious, but the cost performance is a bit questionable.

Located a 3-minute walk from the Gojozaka bus stop, our shop is situated along the slope leading to Kiyomizu Temple. We are proud to be selected as one of the top 100 restaurants on Tabelog, ranking first in the shaved ice category with a score of 3.91 (as of June 23). We visited around 4:00 PM after visiting Kiyomizu Temple and found no waiting customers. We ordered the famous "Houjicha Soft Serve" and "Milk Uji". The Houjicha Soft Serve had a smooth texture and rich flavor, while the Milk Uji had a perfect balance of smoothness and ice. It is especially great on hot days. The owner is known for their straightforward and candid manner, which may appeal to those who enjoy local anecdotes. If you prefer not to engage in conversation with the staff, you may want to consider other options. The energetic owner is actually the son of the owner of the famous "Darumaya Mochi Confectionery" in Tokyo's Jujo district. They mentioned that you can also enjoy the same items at "Darumaya Mochi Confectionery" if you can't make it to Kyoto. When you're craving authentic matcha shaved ice in Kiyomizu, this is a great place for a break and a unique experience. ======MENU====== - Milk Uji, Houjicha Soft Serve - Address: 569-10 Shiraicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto - Reservation: Not available - Hours: 10:00-21:30 - Payment: Various credit cards/electronic money - Average Cost: 2,000 yen for 2 people - Tabelog Rating: 3.91 Instagram ID: tam_gourmet_

I visited Uji Kinshido after a long time and found that it has transformed into a udon restaurant instead of just serving kakigori. They contacted me to try their upgraded milk hojicha soft serve. While the milk flavor has changed, I couldn't help but notice that the unique hojicha flavor was overshadowed by a powdery taste. It would be better if they could offer it as a half-and-half option. The price includes green tea.

I took a tea break here. I thought I ordered matcha shaved ice, but it came with red bean paste. The matcha flavor mixed well with the sweet milk, and it was very delicious. The ice itself was fluffy and tasty! I plan to try a different flavor next time.

I went to a cozy café called "Kyoto Uji Kanjikuya" near Kiyomizu-Gojo Station in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Prefecture to try their Uji Kanjiku. When I entered, I noticed small tables for 2 and 4 people. A male staff member came out from the back and started a presentation when I ordered shaved ice. The presentation about shaved ice and matcha lasted for about 30 minutes before I could finally place my order. If you ordered something other than shaved ice, like kitsune udon or soft serve, the staff didn't give a presentation. I ordered the Special Yame Kanjiku Shaved Ice for 1,600 yen and a cup of Ichidaku Gyokuro tea for 1,000 yen (tax included). First, the Gyokuro tea arrived, which was incredibly delicious. About 15 minutes later, the Yame Kanjiku Shaved Ice was served. The Gyokuro tea had a deep and rich flavor that was truly exceptional. The shaved ice was made with amino acids and had a delicious taste of Yame matcha, with sweet red bean paste inside. The attention to detail in the presentation of the shaved ice was impressive. Pouring the Gyokuro tea over the shaved ice made it even more delicious. It was a delightful experience.

"Sweets WEST Top 100 Stores 2022" [Visit] A 12-minute walk from the easily accessible Keihan Main Line "Kiyomizu Gojo" station [Queue] No line, arrived on a weekday at 12:25 with no waiting outside [Order] Verbal order * Payment in advance Product review: Uji Kanjiki ¥5,000 Shaved ice made with Azuki sweetness, premium Gyokuro bitterness, and natural ice from the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, with no sugar added. [Interior] 12 table seats, 2nd floor seating available Google Local Guide https://maps.app.goo.gl/1mWL6ULmcHWD8Gza9 Instagram https://instagram.com/i.shige_tabearuki?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM

I came here on the postponed day of the Aoi Festival in May, a warm and humid day, and the place was bustling with students on a school trip. Located on Chawan-zaka, a little away from Sannenzaka at Kiyomizu-dera. The shop seemed very plain, but the prices were surprisingly high. I felt hesitant to order the cheapest option, so I went for the second cheapest, the Special Uji Milk Kinako for 1800 yen. When I mentioned I saw the shop on Tabelog, the owner said that everyone who comes from Tabelog orders the "furikake" for an additional 1000 yen, where they sprinkle tea from different regions on top. I thought the 1800 yen already seemed expensive enough, so I declined the additional topping. I paid on the first floor and then was taken up the narrow stairs to the second floor, where the shaved ice was served after about 10 minutes. In conclusion, the shaved ice was indeed large and fluffy, but considering the shop's appearance, location, and price, it felt a bit overpriced. The Uji flavor was subtly sweet and delicious, but the azuki beans were small, firm, and not very professionally made. While eating the shaved ice, I felt like I was consuming not only the information but also the owner's stories and the reputation of being the "number one on Tabelog."