When in Kyoto, this is the absolute favorite shop for sweets that I have decided on. I always order the indulgent shaved ice here, and this time I tried the shaved ice called "Maiko's Practice Return" for the first time. The indulgent shaved ice is filled with the gentle sweetness of brown sugar milk, while the Maiko's Practice Return is a refreshing and delicious treat perfect for the hot summer. This shop never disappoints, but it's sad that the beloved Lemon Matcha Parfait that I adore is no longer available.

On Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 1:30 PM, I witnessed a surprising sight. When it comes to parfaits in the Gion area, Kogane and Koishi are the go-to places, always with long lines, and definitely delicious. However, today was different. As I arrived at Gion Koishi, I noticed that the storefront was quite empty, with no one waiting in line. Inside the cafe, there was only one young lady in her early twenties quietly enjoying her parfait. It was almost like having the place to ourselves. I decided to stick to my routine and ordered the warabi mochi to take home, as I always do after walking around the Gion area. Luckily, there were only two left, and I purchased them along with two seasonal ame candies as a bonus. The total was 950 yen. This shop is originally a candy store, and I have visited occasionally to purchase seasonal candies. Once, I learned about Bonbonnieres at an exhibition in Okazaki, special containers for candies or gold leaf sweets that are often given as gifts on special occasions by the imperial family. I wondered where I could find such items until I was told that they are available at the renowned Ryokan Tawaraya and Gallery Yuukei in Kyoto. Since then, I have kept my ame candies and gold leaf sweets in one of those containers. Later, a lady from the Kanto region wanted to buy souvenirs, and I guided her to the shop. She was delighted to find a bottle of kuromitsu, a sweet syrup, as a unique Kyoto souvenir. She ended up buying two for souvenirs. When she returned home, she called me to express how delicious it was. I was not surprised, as I am used to people from Tokyo overestimating Kyoto. On another visit to buy ame candies, I remembered the incident and decided to purchase one as a souvenir. It turned out to be delicious, with a fluffy warabi mochi texture, the aroma of kinako powder, and the elegant sweetness of kuromitsu. Since then, I have bought it numerous times and have become addicted to its taste. I also purchased a bottle of kuromitsu. It can be used on pancakes or surprisingly as a topping for tofu, turning a savory dish into a dessert. This review may be lengthy, but the sight I witnessed at the shop today was truly shocking for me. Nonetheless, I am satisfied because I was able to buy the warabi mochi. Gion Koishi -> Giwon Koishi

This shop is open from 10:30 in the morning, making it a great place for sightseeing in hot Kyoto. Their shaved ice dessert, called "kakigori," has a classic and nostalgic taste. It's not too sweet and remains delicious until the last bite. The balance between the ice and syrup is perfect. They offer a wide variety of flavors, making it hard to choose. They also sell various flavored candies, which I couldn't resist buying multiple types of. The shop is located near Yasaka Shrine, and I would love to visit again during my next trip to Kyoto.

"I visited 'Iemoto Kyogyu Gion Koishi Gion Honten,' which was established in 1936. It is located a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line (Exit 7) and is also within walking distance from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. The shop is located along a street leading to Yasaka Shrine and has a café space. Today, I tried the following menu item: - 'Wagamama Amaou Kakigori' (limited quantity) This kakigori has a crunchy texture and is generously topped with Amaou strawberry syrup. As you can see in the photo, it is a luxurious kakigori with white rice cakes, strawberry agar jelly, and matcha mochi jelly. It is served in the same form as the sample, with vibrant colors and plenty of syrup. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

It's lunchtime in Gion, and I had shaved ice at "Iemoto Kyoto Amey Gion Koishi Gion Honten." But underneath, there was anmitsu... This is the seasonal limited edition "Specialty Wagamama Ice with Black Honey and Kinako" until September for 1,370 yen. It's cold, sweet, and delicious! ( ´∀｀ )／pon!

Near Yasaka Shrine, there is a popular shop. When I went there after 3 pm, there was a long line... It's understandable because it's a sweet shop in Gion, a popular tourist spot. Right at the entrance, there is a shop selling their specialty black sugar candies, black sugar itself, and warabi mochi, among other things. It's easy to casually stop by the shop, making it perfect for buying small souvenirs! There is an eat-in space at the back of the shop and on the second floor. In the eat-in space, you can enjoy various sweets made with their secret black honey, the main ingredient of the candies. I ordered the "Black Sugar Parfait" (first photo), while my friend ordered the "Selfish Ice with Black Honey" (second photo). Both sweets have a subtly sweet and gentle taste of black honey that spreads in your mouth with just one bite. The "Black Sugar Parfait" is filled with black honey jelly, shiratama, matcha ice cream, and more, leaving you satisfied after finishing it. The "Selfish Ice with Black Honey" is shaved ice topped with black honey and anmitsu inside. That's where the selfishness comes from, haha.

The June limited edition Kyoto candy is made with green plums, offering a sweet and sour flavor with a refreshing taste. Each candy is a refreshing and invigorating treat. It comes in a 90g pack and is made with water syrup. In July, the Kyoto candy features summer oranges, providing a delicious taste. Both candies are delightful and come from a longstanding Kyoto establishment.

On this day, I went to see the 50th anniversary concert of "Ano Nenene" at the Kaburenjo theater in Pontocho, Kyoto. I went alone, but my partner also wanted to visit Kyoto, so we decided to go together. My partner mentioned wanting to have the matcha parfait from this place, so we decided to stop by. We entered around 2:30 pm without having to wait. My partner ordered the matcha parfait, and I ordered the black sugar tea parfait, both priced at 1,350 yen. The prices have increased significantly since our last visit five years ago, but given the current circumstances, it's understandable. When the parfaits arrived, my partner and I exchanged looks (´ºωº｀) The reason being, if you compare the images from my previous review, you'll understand. The taste was delicious, but I wish they had maintained the same portion size despite the price increase. It's a bit disappointing, as this was a place and parfait we both liked. After this, my partner and I went our separate ways. I'll try to enjoy the concert and make the most of it!

I came to this sweet shop in Kyoto for revenge because it was unfortunately closed when I came last time. I was originally looking forward to the Haru Koishi parfait, but it had switched to summer menu recently due to rising temperatures. The photo shows the matcha parfait and Maiko Han's favorite (supposedly). While the matcha alone may seem intense in flavor, it was very easy to eat with the refreshing taste of the agar (I think?) jelly. I heard they also have an Aki Koishi parfait, so I will make sure to come back at the right time to try that.

I had a matcha parfait and chilled sweet ginger drink! When I first drank the chilled sweet ginger drink, it tasted sweet, but then a strong ginger spiciness came through. It was really delicious! Also, the matcha ice cream in the matcha parfait was the richest I've had in Kyoto! The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very calm and relaxing.

Amezaiku-san's delicious parfait at Iden Kyoto Ame Gion Koishi Gion Honten ♡ Kyoto ❤︎ Gion Shijo ♡ my pick! - Brown Sugar Parfait - Brown Sugar Milk ♡ Established over 80 years ago, Iden Kyoto Ame Gion Koishi is a specialty store for Kyoto ame (traditional Japanese candy). The Gion Honten branch has a sweets shop where you can enjoy special black honey and matcha parfaits and kakigori (shaved ice with sweet toppings) that you can't find anywhere else. Located right next to famous tourist spots like Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera, indulge in the meticulously crafted black honey sweets unique to this candy store. The concept of "a moment of relaxation" has been preserved for over 80 years since its establishment at Iden Kyoto Ame Gion Koishi. Located a 6-minute walk east from Keihan Gion Shijo Station on Shijo Street, just before the Nishiloumon gate of Yasaka Shrine. When you enter the shop, you'll see a variety of colorful candies lined up. The front of the first floor is the candy sales area, while the back and second floor are the sweets shop. Geisha often stop by after practice, and you can feel the elegance of Kyoto with the geisha's name fans lined up on the wall. This time, I ordered the "Brown Sugar Parfait" and "Brown Sugar Milk." I love black honey, so I couldn't miss this place. It's great that there are many menu items using black sugar here. Matcha milk is common, but brown sugar milk is rare, right? There's also syrup on the side, so you can add more brown sugar. I definitely want to try the limited edition wagamama ice cream this summer! I want to challenge it this summer! Restaurant Name: Iden Kyoto Ame Gion Koishi Gion Honten Reservations: Not available Access: 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Main Line "Gion Shijo" Station (Exit 7) 8 minutes on foot from Hankyu Kyoto Line "Kawaramachi" Station (Exit 1A) 438m from Gion Shijo Station Hours: 10:30-19:30 (may be extended depending on the season) Closed: No holidays #Gion Koishi

I have been coming to this place since I discovered their high-quality black honey on a cooking show in the past. It is a famous store for Kyoto sweets, but the black honey here is truly exceptional. When poured over vanilla ice cream, it is absolutely delicious, but personally, I think it is best enjoyed in milk ice cream. This time, I ordered cream anmitsu, matcha milk, and black sugar honey warabi mochi. Cooling down with anmitsu and matcha milk before indulging in the black honey warabi mochi was a delightful experience! The black honey here has a refined sweetness and richness that is truly outstanding. Thank you for the meal.

There is a shop near Yasaka Shrine. I had a limited-time matcha and strawberry parfait! The appearance is impressive, but it is small. The matcha cream was rich! Under the strawberries, there were shiratama, strawberry-flavored agar, and ice cream, which were delicious. Thank you for the meal!

I visited one of the cafes that I was interested in in Gion. I ordered the Matcha-Infatuated Strawberry Parfait that caught my eye on the menu. It had a cute little pastry on top, and inside the Mont Blanc was hidden matcha ice cream which was very delicious! After paying the bill, they also gave me a candy! I felt that they were truly a specialist candy store!

Hot White Dumplings (Kinako and Sweet Red Bean Paste) ¥890 ***A seasonal limited menu at a long-established Japanese confectionery shop! Only available until mid-March, so it might end soon*** It's quietly enjoyable to scoop up the hot white dumplings. The chewy texture is irresistible, and the sweet red bean paste is warm and not too sweet. The flavor of the kinako is also excellent. ***This shop seems to be particular about their black syrup, so I want to try their black syrup sweets next time.*** At the time of payment, I received some candies, and they were surprisingly delicious! I personally want to try the azuki flavor again.

There is a shop near Yasaka Shrine with lots of candy. I always end up buying the Shiso Ume for 378 yen (tax included) because I love it so much. The Ginger for 378 yen (tax included) is also delicious! There is a cafe at the back of the store. Next time, I want to try the parfait.

I woke up early and walked from the hotel near Hankyu Umeda Station to Oe Tenjin Shrine, and then back to the hotel for a coffee break. Checked out of the hotel and took a train from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station. From there, I walked to Shimogamo Shrine and had mackerel sushi for an early lunch at Hanao Ori-san near Shimogamo Shrine. I resisted having dessert due to health reasons. I have been trying to avoid sweets, but I have been indulging in them lately. During my Kansai trip of 3 days, I had eaten two cakes before the trip. I couldn't stop myself. I walked a lot and got tired, so I took the Keihan train from Demachiyanagi Station. I saw a long line at Futaba-mae, famous for their bean daifuku. I decided to try the autumn limited parfait at a small cafe in a candy shop. It was delicious with chestnuts, and the service was excellent. They even gave me a complimentary matcha candy at the end. Overall, a great experience. Kyoto has many dessert shops, but this one might be a hidden gem. Highly recommended.

I had a matcha parfait. I think it was 1140 yen. The interior of the shop had a Kyoto vibe and was relatively quiet. There were also parfaits using lots of chestnuts for the autumn season, so there were many choices. The agar inside was tasteless and seemed like just a filler. At the checkout, they gave me matcha candy and sweet potato candy.

I visited a shop in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, after being lured in by a photo of a parfait displayed outside. Inside, there were various types of candies lined up. The first floor had a cafe space, but it was full, so I was guided to the second floor. Luckily, there were no customers on the second floor. There were two types of autumn parfaits available, the Black Honey Koishi Parfait and the Autumn Koishi Parfait, and I chose the Autumn Koishi Parfait (both priced at 1370 yen). It was filled with seven ingredients made with chestnuts, including chestnut ice cream, chiffon cake, and Tanba chestnut mousse. A parfait filled with chestnuts! After finishing the parfait, when I went to pay, I noticed some warabi mochi placed next to the register. I couldn't resist and bought it. The staff mentioned that it should be consumed within the day or kept in the refrigerator for consumption the next morning, as it was made with real warabi powder. I enjoyed it at home later. It had a nice and bouncy texture and was gone in no time. Some complimentary candies were also given, and they truly tasted like those from a specialty candy shop!

Located in the Gion Kawaramachi area, Gion Koishi is a shop that occupies a whole property. As you go towards the back of the store, there is an eat-in space that is popular as a sweets shop. I personally use it mainly as a candy store. In other regions, I am not usually drawn to candies as a snack, but in Kyoto, they somehow seem like chic sweets. I like the classic matcha flavor, but I also look forward to the seasonal limited editions. My personal favorite is the amazake flavor. I always look forward to when this one is available. Thank you for the meal!