I visited "Noto Engawa Inabousakan" in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. The location is about a 6-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Uji Line, along the approach to Byodoin Temple. The exterior and interior have a Kyoto-like atmosphere. This is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1717. This time, I purchased the most popular item here, called "Matcha Dango". It was first introduced in the Taisho era. It looks like a simple small green dumpling. It is made by steaming dried white rice ground in a stone mill with matcha and sugar added. When you put it in your mouth, it has a chewy texture, and with each bite, you can taste the flavor of matcha and a gentle sweetness. Before I knew it, I had eaten it all up. Traditional sweets that have been loved for a long time are truly delicious. Thank you for the meal.

It's been two and a half years since I last had Inabusa's tea dumplings. Their tea dumplings are still the best. The small, shiny dumplings are irresistible. They are sweet but not too sweet, with a good tea flavor. During Golden Week, the expiration date is until the next day, but in the summer, it's the same day, so be careful. On this day, the large wisteria in front of the store was beautiful. In the Omotesando of Byodoin, there are several stores like this one that grow wisteria in pots. I wonder if they were separated from Byodoin?

The shop is a simple stand on the left near the entrance of Byodo-in Temple. It may be easy to overlook as other shops have long lines and banners, making it quite lively. Since there doesn't seem to be any seating space, I decided to purchase some as a snack for my journey. They offer a small pack of 18 for 380 yen, which was convenient. I ended up eating them later than planned and accidentally mishandled them a bit, causing the dango to shift inside the packaging. Although the appearance was affected, they remained surprisingly intact, which was reassuring as a souvenir. Upon tasting, I enjoyed the subtle tea aroma, light sweetness, and chewy texture. The dango is smaller than regular ones, about half the size, making it easy to eat. Traveling through Uji, experiencing the beautiful scenery and breeze, feeling the aroma of tea grown in the area, and imagining the countless travelers who have been comforted by these dango, I reflected on the passage of time. It was a wonderful experience that freed my mind from everyday life. I will definitely have them again on my next visit to remember this day.

On the way back from Byodoin Temple, I decided to stop by a small dumpling shop that always caught my eye. I bought a pack of 30 small tea dumplings for 500 yen, which seemed to be their specialty. I ate them at a table inside the shop. The dumplings were very small, so I finished them quickly. They had a tea aroma and were slightly sweet.

The shop's appearance exudes a sense of history. It could be said to be a typical Kyoto-style shop. In addition to matcha, I also bought tea dumplings in the Uji series to take home. Since they are perishable, they can be kept until the next day. I ordered 30 tea dumplings for 500 yen. The minimum order is 18 dumplings, and they can go up to over 100 dumplings. Each dumpling is small, so you can easily eat them in one bite. I had them the next morning at room temperature. They were chewy with a subtle sweetness and had an elegant taste. Every time I go to Uji, I feel like buying these dumplings. They are irresistible for those who love Japanese sweets.

In Kyoto, the tea dumplings by Inabausu Yasukane are delicious. For tourists, it can be difficult to decide where to buy tea dumplings because they are sold in many shops, but among locals, Inabausu is popular. Also, the zodiac-shaped ohigashi sweets are nice, especially when enjoyed with Uji tea. Now, I wonder what to have for dinner tonight. Thank you for the meal.

Established in 1717 on the approach to Byodoin Temple in Uji, this long-standing shop has a somewhat grandiose name, which actually means "a shop owned by Inabusa Yasukane, a scribe in the Edo period from Noto." Originally, merchants were not allowed to use such names, but in 1849, during the Kaiei era, permission was granted by the Omuro Imperial Palace (now known as Ninna-ji), and the shop was named as such. The highlight of this visit was the tea dumplings. The texture is chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness and a subtle tea flavor that spreads throughout the mouth as you chew. The simplicity and perfect balance make it irresistible. Seeing the customer next to me purchase 150 pieces made me wonder if I had been too reserved. The coloring is added to prevent the dumplings from turning completely black, but it is done in a way that is unique to Kyoto and not commonly seen in Tokyo.

Noto Engawa Inabousakan, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop located a 5-7 minute walk from JR Uji Station. Established in 1717, this shop has a nostalgic atmosphere and is situated along the Uji River towards the Byodoin Phoenix Hall. Their specialty menu item, the green tea dango, has a same-day expiration date, making it a perfect souvenir if you plan to eat it on the same day. I purchased a pack of 16 pieces of the popular green tea dango. The chewy texture of the rice flour, the sweetness of the sugar, and the bitterness of the green tea blend together in this simple dango. Not overly sweet, this traditional Japanese confection focuses on the flavor of green tea and texture, making it so delicious that you could easily eat multiple pieces. If you're interested in savoring the historic confections of this long-standing shop, be sure to pay them a visit. Thank you for the meal!

Visit time: 15:50, Sunday Wait time: None Menu: Green tea dumplings for 350 yen In Uji, there are many restaurants and dessert shops that use matcha. Among them is Notoen Inaho Yasukane, which exudes a sense of tradition from its building. The green tea dumplings have a strong matcha flavor, with a hint of sweetness that makes them easy to eat and delicious. They come in small boxes, making them easy to enjoy on the go. Thank you for the meal.

■ Tea Dumplings (18 pieces): 350 yen ■ Kashiwa Mochi (sweet red bean paste): 180 yen Noto Enya Inaho Yasukane (Tea Dumplings, Kashiwa Mochi) 0774-21-2074 Uji Renka 11, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2607/A260701/26006026/

On the way back to Tokyo from my hometown, I stopped by Uji. My main purpose was to get some tea dumplings. I have had them a few times before and was always captivated by their simple deliciousness. In the past, I would buy them from the first shop I came across without checking, but this time I decided to buy them from a shop with high ratings on Tabelog. In the cold air outside, I was struggling to choose from the items on the outdoor shelf when the shopkeeper kindly invited me inside, where it was warm. For the journey back on the Shinkansen, I bought an 18-piece pack for myself to eat and a 54-piece pack as a souvenir for my family. The expiration date was the next day. I couldn't resist and ate some on the train right away, and they were just as delicious as ever. The 18 pieces disappeared in no time. The sweetness is not overpowering like when too much sugar is used, but rather a natural sweetness from the glutinous rice. The subtle flavor of matcha spreads gently in your mouth, leaving a pleasant sensation. The aftertaste is also really nice. When you encounter such a delicious "flavor," you naturally tend to want to close your eyes and savor it. We also enjoyed the 54-piece pack with my wife when we got home, and it was gone by the next day. The natural sweetness makes it irresistible and hard to stop eating. I've had tea dumplings from other shops as well, but I believe they are delicious no matter where you buy them. I wish this simple deliciousness could be more accessible throughout Japan.

In December 2021, I went on my first trip to Uji City. After visiting the main attraction, the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple, I indulged in a parfait at "ICHIGO" and then took a leisurely stroll along the charming approach. I was drawn to a quaint shop called "Notoen Inabou Yasukane" and decided to stop by. This shop has been in business since 1717 in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, located midway along the approach to the World Heritage site, Byodoin Temple. They specialize in creating and selling elegant traditional Japanese sweets unique to Uji, using their inherited original techniques. I purchased a pack of 30 green tea dumplings for 470 yen, which I enjoyed at home. Despite its simple ingredients of rice flour, sugar, and matcha, the dumplings had a chewy texture, a refined matcha flavor, and a perfect level of sweetness. I had no prior knowledge about this shop but trusted my instincts to visit, and I'm glad I did.

Moco's souvenir from our walk! (lol) Green tea dango! There are various green tea dango, but the ones here are the most delicious. This time, they had green tea syrup so I bought that too. Green tea, green tea, green tea! It was like having green tea in my mouth! It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I fell in love with the Uji tea dumplings and decided to buy some souvenirs before heading home. I stopped by this quaint shop along the approach, but how do you pronounce the name of the shop? It's called "Notonojo Inafusayasukane." Originally, the tea dumplings are made by drying white rice in the sun, grinding it with a stone mill to make a powder called "shinko," and then shaping it into balls with added matcha and sugar before steaming. There are various family traditions when it comes to the amount of sugar and steaming method. Too much sugar or too little can ruin the flavor, so it must be a delicate balance. I bought the smallest pack of 18 pieces for 350 yen this time. The pack is made of resin and designed to look like a wooden box. The small tea dumplings are tightly packed inside. A gentle sweet aroma fills the air. The chewy and soft dumplings become sweeter and more delicious as you chew. These bite-sized treats are irresistible. Once you start eating, you can't stop saying "just one more, just one more," so they quickly disappeared. I should have bought the largest pack instead. The expiration date in the summer is only for the same day, but otherwise, they should be good for about three days.

I went to Sanjusangendo Temple to see the autumn leaves. On the way back, I decided to stop by Uji, the next station. I went to buy these tea dumplings at the tea-scented approach to Byodoin Temple. I bought the 18-piece set this time. I have eaten various tea dumplings, including Surugaya's, which I used to eat a lot since my relatives lived in Uji, but this shop's tea dumplings are new to me. Without comparing them side by side, it's hard to tell the differences from other shops, but I felt that the bitterness and sweetness were not too strong, yet the taste was somewhat subtle. For those who pair these dumplings with matcha-based drinks, I thought it was a good balance of flavors. I would like to try a "tea dumpling taste test" at least once.

First visit! I bought these tea dumplings as a gift for my parents' house. The taste and texture were nothing special, just ordinary tea dumplings. However, the price was cheap so overall it was cost-effective! It was also good that they were open from 9 in the morning. I would like to use it again.

I visited the tea dumpling shop on a Monday holiday in August, just after it opened at 9 o'clock. When I entered, they were still packing the tea dumplings, so I was able to enjoy them freshly made. The shop, which boasts overwhelming support from the local community, has been directly affected by the coronavirus, with few customers even when they are open. They were lamenting this situation. There is no doubt about the delicious taste, so I will continue to support them.

Since the Edo period, there has been a long-established shop that a refined mother recommended. According to a friend from Uji, they used to have tea dumplings at home all the time when they were a child. So I had to try them. I searched for tea dumplings and found a top-ranked shop that looks cute. The price is reasonable and they are only good for today. When I got home, I found that the tea dumplings were simple and delicious. There were no fancy decorations, just a simple and tasty treat. I ended up eating one, two, three of them. I really like this kind of simple sweets. Thank you for the meal. I will definitely come back to buy more if I have the chance.

When it comes to chadango, this place is so famous! I don't even know how many times I've been here, but finally, I'm making my first post about it. Last time, I sent chadango to my daughter in Tokyo, but due to the shipping schedule and expiration date, I couldn't send as many as I wanted. So this time, I bought various other support supplies for her and also bought some for myself (lol). I bought a lot of things, so I'll leave out the amount. There's nothing more to say about the taste, right? (^_-)-☆

Established in the 2nd year of Kyoho (1717), this shop is located on the approach to Byodoin. Visited for the first time with my husband on a weekday afternoon. There were no other customers. The street leading to Byodoin was also quiet. As we opened the sliding door, a refined woman greeted us with "Welcome." Although they did not have mitarashi dango or warabi mochi at this time of year, we purchased their signature item, "tea dumplings." We bought the 83-piece pack, which was carefully wrapped, to take home. We waited for our children to come back and enjoyed it as an afternoon snack. The tea dumplings had the perfect sweetness and chewiness, with a subtle tea aroma. The glossy green color was beautiful, and we finished all 83 pieces in less than 10 minutes. Once you start eating them, you can't stop. These small dumplings brought great happiness. If you have three or more people, I recommend buying the 111-piece pack. (laughs)