I visited Tamondou, located about a minute's walk from Kurama Station in Kyoto, on a Sunday afternoon around 12 o'clock. I decided to stop by as I had seen it featured in a certain gold credit card company's magazine and wanted to check it out. The shop had a dignified atmosphere befitting its long history, with old photos displayed outside, including one from the first generation owner in 1929. Inside, there was a café corner, but this time I opted for takeout. I purchased the following items: - Famous Gyuhachi Mochi (140 yen tax included) - Meidai Yomogi Mochi (140 yen tax included) The mochi was available for takeout in front of the shop, where a graceful elderly lady swiftly wrapped them up for me. I paid in cash and later tried the Gyuhachi Mochi and Meidai Yomogi Mochi. Both were incredibly soft, with a sweet black bean paste filling. They were delicious, true to their reputation as famous and representative items. They mentioned that the mochi should be consumed by the end of the day. Next time, I would like to enjoy them leisurely inside the shop with a drink. I highly recommend Tamondou, a long-established shop known for its high-quality and extremely soft Gyuhachi Mochi and Meidai Yomogi Mochi!

Located on the road leading to Kurama Temple, just off Kurama Station, this traditional Japanese confectionery shop offers a specialty called Ushiwakamochi. It's recommended to arrive early during events, as they may sell out quickly. I visited on a weekday around 11 am and there were no other customers. The seating area did not have any lights on, so I'm not sure if they were closed or not. The sweets I bought included Ushiwakamochi, Yomogi dango, and Shinko mochi, totaling ¥840. The sweets were delicious, with classic flavors. It's a convenient spot as there aren't many dining options nearby. However, during a previous visit on an event day at Kurama Temple, the shop had closed early, so I recommend checking in advance if you want to make sure you get to try their sweets. Thank you for the delicious treats!

I went around lunchtime on a regular day. While walking, I found some delicious-looking steamed buns! I bought one and ate it right away. It was filled with plenty of sweet bean paste! The outer mochi layer was very soft! I think it was freshly made! It was really delicious! The stamped design on the bun is also cute. And the fact that it's only 130 yen is amazing! Since one is small and light, it's better to eat one!

The shop is located in front of the main gate of Kuramadera Temple, so I was very curious as I passed by. I was planning to buy Gyuhachi Mochi, but ended up getting Yomogi Mochi instead. The staff was a little intimidating, but I purchased just one to take out. It was a light and delicious mochi.

Before going to Kibune Shrine, I visited Kurama Temple. First, I went to Demachiyanagi. Then I transferred to Eizan Electric Railway and took the cable car to Kurama Temple. It took about 2 and a half hours from Sakai City. I stopped by a shop near Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway. The rice cakes cost 130 yen each. Make sure to bring exact change. If you have a large bill, you may get your change thrown back at you. We enjoyed the rice cakes while admiring the view at Kurama Temple. They were light and delicious.

Before exploring the Kurama area, I got off at the station and immediately tried the Gyuwaka Mochi at Tamon-do for a quick sugar boost before climbing the mountain. The mochi had a traditional appearance that suggested it would be delicious, and it did not disappoint. It only cost 130 yen and was perfect for fueling up for the upcoming hike.

Located right near Kurama Station, this shop is perfect for a quick stop before or after exploring Kurama. The approach to Kurama Temple is a steep slope (there's also a gondola available), so we stopped by here to cool off after visiting the temple. It was very relaxing (^^) Thank you for the delicious meal!

On the second day of my Kyoto trip during the latter half of Golden Week 2004, I decided to visit the Kurama area. I saved money on transportation by using a subway day pass to go to the end of the line at the International Conference Center, and then walked to Iwakura Station on the Hiei Electric Railway. Surprisingly, the walk along the river was enjoyable. There were several shops between the final stop at Kurama Station and the mountain gate. After visiting Kishimoto Yanagizou, an old-established store, I stopped by this traditional Japanese sweets shop. Despite being in the countryside, they had quite a variety of traditional Japanese sweets lined up. I guess people heading to Mount Kurama would purchase them. I bought the following items: Gyuwaka Mochi for 130 yen including tax, Myodai Yomogi Dango for 130 yen, Shinko Mochi in sugar flavor for 130 yen, and Shinko Mochi in cinnamon flavor for 130 yen. Since I had a light breakfast, I decided to try them while waiting for the cable car to Kurama Temple. Gyuwaka Mochi was very soft and stretchy, with a mildly sweet red bean paste inside. Truly a specialty! It was delicious. Myodai Yomogi Dango was made with mugwort and had a soft and chewy texture. The red bean paste was moderately sweet. Shinko Mochi in sugar flavor had a simple sweetness. It had a gentle and nostalgic taste. The cinnamon flavor was reminiscent of cinnamon cakes. It was more like a cinnamon cake with red bean paste inside than a traditional cinnamon cake. I particularly liked the Gyuwaka Mochi. This is a good traditional Japanese sweets shop to visit when going to Mount Kurama. Thank you for the meal.

Located near Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line, right next to Kurama Temple's main gate in the temple town. It seems to be bustling with many tourists on holidays, but it was relatively quiet during the consecutive holidays. Currently, they only offer takeout as a measure against the new coronavirus. This shop is famous for its "Ushiwakamaru mochi" made with chestnuts. The salty sweet bean paste was delicious. They also had grass mochi and shinko mochi. However, I was taken aback by the sight of the shop staff throwing change at me. Perhaps they don't have much time to spend on each customer in tourist areas... It's a shame considering how good the taste is. Including that aspect, I recommend visiting Kurama for its food.

The other day, I foolishly attempted to hike over the mountain from Kifune Shrine to Kurama-dera Temple. It was tough, especially with snow still on the ground. After about 1 hour of uphill and downhill trekking, I was completely exhausted. Finally reaching Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway, I could feel my energy levels dropping. Although I don't usually eat traditional Japanese sweets, my body was craving sugar, so I couldn't resist buying some at a shop near the station. I ate them on the spot and felt satisfied. I think they were filled with sweet red bean paste.

I climbed Mount Kurama and headed towards Kifune Shrine. Before entering the mountain, I found this shop. I hadn't had lunch yet and my stomach was growling. However, I wanted to have dinner on an empty stomach, so I decided to have a light meal here. I ordered a set of Gyuwaka Mochi and matcha. A small meringue confection with matcha also came with it. It had a nice Kyoto vibe. I took a sip of the matcha. It was more authentic and delicious than I expected. I overheard the owner and other customers talking, and learned that they are particular about the water used for the matcha, which is sourced from Kifune. The older ladies were impressed, saying "The water really does make a difference." I silently agreed. I took a bite of the Gyuwaka Mochi. It was delicious. The refined sweetness of the red bean paste paired well with the bitterness of the matcha. I alternated between the mochi and matcha, and before I knew it, I had finished the mochi. I couldn't resist and ordered two more pieces of Gyuwaka Mochi. It was a wonderful power boost before the hike. Thank you for the meal.

I went to Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway to visit Mount Kurama. There was a shop at the foot of the mountain, and I was feeling a bit hungry, so I was looking for something good to eat. I found "Gyuwaka Mochi" for 130 yen. It has a nice name, fitting for Kurama. They were talking about how the mochi next to it, the barley manju, had fewer pieces left, and the shopkeeper explained that it's because they make different amounts of each. Of course, Gyuwaka Mochi is the most popular, so it sells the most. I bought one and took a photo of it. It was delicious! The aroma of chestnuts pierced through my nostrils, and the incredibly soft mochi paired with the not-too-sweet, salty red bean paste was amazing. The unique softness was clearly evident with each bite. The famous Gyuwaka Mochi is a mochi confection made with chestnuts from Kibune, wrapped in a generous amount of salty red bean paste. It is named after the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune staying at Kurama Temple. After that, I headed towards Kurama Temple. The entrance fee was 300 yen. The top of the mountain didn't have a typical peak, but it did give off a mysterious and spiritual vibe. It was a good workout. Now, it's time to go for a drink.

This is a shop near the main gate of Kurama-dera Temple. Whenever I go to Kurama, I always end up buying Gyūwaka Mochi (beef rice cakes) (laughs). The soft rice cake wrapped in sweet bean paste requires careful handling for transport. This time, I bought three, including one for myself and two for my friends. Next time, I want to buy cherry blossom rice cakes and grass rice cakes too.

I saw this shop featured on a TV program and was immediately drawn to it because of the soft-looking mochi filled with delicious anko. The shop is located on the approach to Kurama Temple, so I easily found it. Today, I decided to walk there, determined to try their treats. I bought some Gyuhou Mochi and Kusamochi for a sugar boost. However, to my disappointment, the cable car that was supposed to take me closer to the main hall was out of service! I almost cried. Finally, I made it to the rest area at the temple and enjoyed the mochi. Just like I saw on TV, the mochi was incredibly soft and the anko was refreshingly light. Now, time to head to the main hall... Wait, it's still so far away!!??

This is a long-established Japanese sweets shop located in front of the main gate of Kurama-dera Temple in Kyoto. I purchased two representative items from this shop and enjoyed them on the spot. The first one is "Ushiwaka Mochi," a soft mochi with chestnuts from Kibune mixed in, giving it a unique flavor. It has a firm red bean paste inside, and the mochi itself is subtly salty yet sweet. The second item is "Yomogi Dango," a mochi with mugwort that leaves a refreshing taste in your mouth. The red bean paste is also smooth and the natural flavors of chestnuts and mugwort are gentle and delicious.

This is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop located at the foot of Kuramadera Temple. Once they sell out, that's it, so if you spot it, be sure to buy some. The freshly made treats are soft and delicious. They are on a different level compared to department store confections! They put out freshly made treats every morning in the store, so they are fresh and moist. In the back of the shop, they also serve light meals like udon noodles and inari sushi, making it a great spot for a quick bite to eat.

When I visited Kuramadera Temple, I tried the Ouso and Gyuhachi Mochi set, yomogi dango, and iced coffee. The Gyuhachi Mochi had red bean paste inside, while the yomogi dango had whole bean paste. In addition to the mochi and dango, the matcha-flavored baked snack that came with the Ouso set was also delicious.

My daughter has issued a ban on elderly people going out, but it should be okay if I go by car *\(^o^)/* Besides, I need to pick up my clothes from the dry cleaners because I've left them there for quite a while before and got charged extra for forgetting in the past. Also, I've been measuring my body temperature every day at the drugstore. When my daughter asked me what my temperature was and I said 36°, she questioned me about which thermometer I was using. When I told her it was the one from when she was born, she immediately scolded me and told me to go buy a new one! When I went to the drugstore, they were sold out. But on my way back, I bought three steamed buns and felt happy for some reason *\(^o^)/* They were grass mochi, Gyūwaka mochi, and sakura mochi. I planned to eat them at the mountain pass, but I decided to wash my hands first. When I got home, I found out that they were squished because they were poorly packaged. I used to buy these steamed buns to bring as souvenirs when going out, but the number of tourists has decreased recently. However, today I saw a few tourists here and there. I don't like wearing masks, but it's good manners to wear one when entering a store. Thank you for sending me the valuable mask, Kinakontan ❣️

In November 2019, after 7 years, I visited Kurama again. This time, before heading to Kurama-dera Temple, I decided to buy some Gyuhachi Mochi from "Tamondou" (since last time they were almost sold out). Each piece costs 130 yen, with the words "Gyuhachi Mochi" stamped on the surface. It used to be 120 yen 7 years ago, so the price hasn't gone up much. I enjoyed it right in front of the shop - it had been a while since I had Gyuhachi Mochi, and I still prefer the red bean paste filling. The mochi was soft and delicious as always! Thank you for the meal.

The beginning of this trip was from Kurama-dera, crossing the mountain to Kibune. We left our suitcases at the hotel, took the subway to the International Conference Center, and then took a Kyoto bus to Kurama Onsen, arriving in 28 minutes. In front of the bus stop was Tamondou, where my friend wanted to try something, so I had a mugwort dango for 120 yen, while my friend had a Kintora-mochi. We only bought one, so the lady serving us seemed a bit displeased, but the mugwort dango I had was delicious with a good balance of red bean paste and mugwort. Thank you for the treat. I don't think we ate Ushiwakamaru, but before a tough mountain crossing, sweet treats are always welcome.