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Kyoto seems to have welcomed back tourists, as the traditional Japanese cafes are all lined up. Wanting to try a Japanese parfait since it's been a while since I've been back, I hesitated to wait in line and decided to head to Daimaru underground for dinner shopping instead. However, near the entrance, I found this place. Produced by Sasaya Iori, it seemed like a safe bet, so I went in. The menu offered a variety of Sasaya Iori's famous traditional Japanese sweets, tea, coffee, as well as red bean paste, parfaits, and more. I wanted to try the matcha parfait, so I ordered the matcha warabi mochi parfait and hojicha tea. My two companions also ordered the same parfait and coffee, while another ordered matcha and a traditional sweet called Chofukuji mochi. The sweets arrived shortly after. The parfait had a layer of traditional sweet biscuit, matcha ice cream, agar jelly, shiratama (rice flour dumplings), and warabi mochi. The warabi mochi was especially delicious. The shiratama and jelly were also excellent. The portion size was just right, not too much and easy to finish. The hojicha tea couldn't be included in a set, so it was a bit pricey, but it was deliciously fragrant. The Chofukuji mochi and traditional sweet were not tasted by me, but overall, they were said to be delicious. The coffee was also said to be tasty. The quality of the drinks seemed to be high overall. The service was just average. The interior was not particularly stylish, but the space was relatively spacious with a wide counter. Those looking for the stereotypical "Kyoto-like" atmosphere may not appreciate it, but for those seeking high-quality traditional Japanese sweets and parfaits, this place felt like a hidden gem.
