A gift from my grandmother. Thin and crispy with a strong sesame flavor, once you start eating it, you can't stop. This is a familiar taste that I have eaten many times at family gatherings. I have come to love it more as I get older. I want to visit the main store.

The "Kifune Kiku" senbei from Kyoto's renowned senbei shop "Kyoto's Osen-dokoro Tamaryu-ya" is a popular product of Tamaryu-ya senbei. The "Kifune Kiku" senbei is made by generously adding selected peanuts to egg senbei and baking them using traditional techniques. In terms of taste, Kyoto senbei is more similar to Gara senbei rather than the senbei we usually eat. Surprisingly, the delicious "Kifune Kiku" senbei from Tamaryu-ya goes well with freshly brewed coffee. The price for "Kifune Kiku" (1 piece x 10 bags) is 648 yen including tax. The "Kifune Kiku" is a delicate flower that blooms in the mountains of Rakuhoku, Kurama, and Kibune, and is a nickname for the Asteraceae family. It is known by various other names such as "Akimegiku," "Akibotan," "Shimegiku," "Shiikiku," "Kagagiku," "Echigogiku," "Kifunegiku," "Karakiku," "Koma-giku," and "Akushakuyaku." In the Edo period, the famous Kaibara Ekiken also introduced it as "Akibotan" in the book "Yamato Honzo." Additionally, the "Shirakawa-ji" from Tamaryu-ya is also famous as a representative product in the diary of the last samurai of Emperor Showa. The "Shirakawa-ji" uses plenty of golden and black sesame seeds and is lightly baked using the traditional technique of Kyoto's "sesame dressing." It is made using natural ingredients and traditional methods. The golden and black sesame seeds are likened to grains of sand sinking in the Shirakawa River, and the sesame seeds are decorated in a Tang-style pattern to represent the ripples on the surface of the river. The savory aroma of sesame spreads in the mouth, and it has a simple and delicious taste. The "Shirakawa-ji" from Tamaryu-ya is mentioned in the diary of the last samurai of Emperor Showa on December 7, 1989.

I received a special egg senbei from Mr. Tamagoya. It's a delicious snack with a great texture of peanuts. I think it's called Kibune chrysanthemum? It's perfect for a 3 o'clock snack. I enjoyed it with tea. Thank you very much.

This is a shop located on the south side of the first street descending from Imamiya on Horikawa Street. They mainly sell traditional sesame senbei (rice crackers). These are commonly used for temple-related events, memorial services, and as offerings during times of condolence. In Kyoto, it is customary to use yellow and white Mizuhiki (decorative cord) for condolence offerings. Different occasions call for different types of offerings such as gifts, memorial services, or casual offerings. It is important to always include the name or family name on the packaging. Condolence offerings are typically wrapped in pale ink to express grief. It is essential to follow proper etiquette, especially for young people, to remember the basic manners as it reflects one's character and social skills. Kyoto's traditional customs are deeply rooted in Japan's history and should be respected. It is considered rude to hand over gifts in a paper bag. Instead, the gift should be unwrapped, facing the recipient, held with both hands, and presented with a bow. For a more formal gesture, one can kneel and present the gift in a traditional wrapping cloth after a bow and greeting. This practice shows gratitude and respect towards the recipient. Japan values courtesy, dignity, and respect in all interactions, emphasizing the importance of proper etiquette and appearance. The saying goes, "Flowers are one-time, offerings are sesame senbei." It is important to pay attention to details and manners in every situation.

I was fortunate to have the rare opportunity to visit the special tea room called "Ima-an" of the Urasenke school near the Tea Ceremony Comprehensive Museum. I arrived early in Kyoto's Horikawa-cho from the ryokan Tomikuya, where the meeting time was set for 10:00. With some time to spare, I decided to explore the area. I couldn't find a coffee shop or cafe nearby, but then I stumbled upon a place called "Tamariya." Although it seemed like a pickles store, they had a cafe space inside. I confirmed with the staff that it was okay to just order a cup of coffee. They were also selling pickles like butterbur sprout pickles, so I bought one as a souvenir for my family. There were several 4-person table seats in the dining area at the back. I ordered a hot coffee. It took quite some time for the coffee to arrive. As the meeting time approached, I started to feel a bit anxious. Before the coffee came, they served Japanese tea and rice crackers. The coffee was indeed delicious and served in a stylish cup. I happened to enter the place by chance, but later found out that it was quite a famous shop.

I found a shaved ice shop nearby and decided to visit it. The shaved ice looked delicious and the atmosphere of the shop was appealing, so I chose to go there. The taste exceeded my expectations, and the staff's hospitality was excellent. It's a great place to visit!

It was delicious.

The ramen was very delicious.

Here is a review of Tamaya in Tanba, which used to run an inn until the Edo period. The first floor sells sweets and has a café. The second floor houses an art and craft department, and the annex, Kitamise, sells tea ceremony utensils, glass crafts, lacquerware, and Japanese miscellaneous goods. Today, I got three types of rice crackers. Shirakawa Road is Tamaya's flagship product, made with white sesame and black sesame from Kyoto. Kibun Kiku is another name for autumn chrysanthemum that blooms in the mountains of Kurama and Kibune in the north of Kyoto. It is a rice cracker made with egg and peanuts. Shiba Fun is a thin rice cracker finished with ginger. They are all thin and hard, with a unique finish.

It's already autumn. The sound of cicadas has disappeared and soon we will be able to hear the autumn insects chirping. There were so many things left undone this summer. I decided to visit this place to try and resolve some of them. I called ahead just to be sure, and they were still serving shaved ice. I hurriedly made my way from Hankyu Omiya Station up north on Horikawa Street. It's a bit of a distance, but along the way, there is the Horikawa Riverside Park, so the walk didn't feel too long. Nonetheless, I arrived slightly sweaty. Surprisingly, the shop was located on the first floor of a building. It faces a wide street, but behind the shop to the northeast, there is a serene environment with mountains in the distance. Upon entering, there was a corner selling snacks like senbei, and further inside, a cafe space. At the end, there seemed to be a deep green garden. It was midday on a holiday, but there were no other customers present. I took a seat on a slightly low black chair, and although there were other menu items like udon, I opted for shaved ice today. As usual, I ordered the Uji Kanjisha White Tama (864 yen). The quiet atmosphere inside the shop was suddenly interrupted by the clock behind me, which struck 2:30 pm. Now, the shaved ice was served, looking like a bonsai. Matcha covered the entire dish, with red bean paste on the right and white tama dumplings on the left. It was mesmerizing. I refrained from rudely digging my spoon into it right away. I took a small bite, and surprisingly, the matcha flavor was quite strong, even when I dug deep into it. The taste was consistent with what I expected. This place is a space to enjoy a quiet moment. The syrup provided was unnecessary as the flavor was already rich. There was a newspaper article introducing this shop placed on the table. It seemed that the shop used to sell senbei, and the snack provided as a palate cleanser was light in flavor. When the bottom of the dish was revealed, a group of three women entered the shop, breaking the silence. It was time for me to leave. Thank you for the meal. Stepping outside, the sunlight had softened.

This year, my mother and I decided to jump on the shaved ice trend and stopped by this place on our way back. It was my first time visiting this shop as the main store is closer. Unlike the main store, this one had a seating area which got me excited. The interior had a snack corner at the front and a seating space at the back, with a charming atmosphere. The menu offered light meals like udon noodles, tea-pickled vegetables rice set, and hot sandwiches, in addition to the shaved ice menu which had many classic options at reasonable prices. We couldn't resist ordering a different dessert this time - White Rice Cake Cream Anmitsu and White Rice Cake with Red Bean (served with white or black honey). We went with white honey. The dessert came with cold towels and a local sweet treat, giving a Kyoto vibe. The White Rice Cake Cream Anmitsu had agar jelly, white rice cake, sweet red bean paste, candied chestnuts, and matcha ice cream, topped with matcha powder. The presentation was cute and we enjoyed the textures and flavors, except for the overly sweet red bean paste. The White Rice Cake with Red Bean was a hit, with a refreshing taste thanks to the white honey. Overall, we preferred the White Rice Cake with Red Bean. The dessert was served with warm tea, making it a cozy and delightful experience.

There is a shop a little down from Horikawa Temple in Kyoto. It has a traditional Kyoto-style design. When you enter, there is a sales area at the front and a cafe area at the back. Sit at one of the tables in the back. There is a nice courtyard at the very back of the cafe area. Here is what we ordered: - Uji sweet potato milk with white dumplings: 864 yen (tax included) - White dumpling cream anmitsu: 648 yen (tax included) After ordering, they brought us a complimentary white sesame rice cracker, which was delicious and nostalgic. While enjoying the rice cracker, they also brought us shaved ice and anmitsu. The shaved ice had a special Uji sweet potato flavor with all the necessary toppings. It reminded me of the shaved ice you would get at a traditional Japanese sweets shop. The ice had a slightly rough texture, giving it an authentic feel. The anmitsu with white dumplings was a taste of old Kyoto, bringing back memories of the Showa era. It really captured the essence of Kyoto's summer. Before leaving, we bought some matsutake mushroom kombu to enjoy at home. We plan to have it with ochazuke. Thank you for the delicious meal! (*^-^*)

I visited Hojyoji Temple, bought some sweets at Tawaraya Yoshitomi, and then waited for a bus back to Shijo Kawaramachi at a bus stop on Horikawa Street. While waiting, I noticed a delicious looking sweet shop right behind the bus stop called "Kyoto Osen-dokoro" Tamariya. I decided to go in before the bus arrived, and upon entering, I was greeted with a warm "Oideyasu" in Kyoto dialect. Inside, there were various souvenir sweets displayed, and the shop manager recommended a snack for me to try. It was a senbei called "Shirakawa Road," made by lightly roasting sesame seeds and shaping them like grains of sand in the Shirakawa River, with a wave pattern design representing the ripples on the river surface. The sesame flavor was delicious. There was also a cafe area at the back with light meals like mini pilaf and udon. We opted for just tea, which came with cute tea sweets. Before we knew it, it was time for the bus, and we had to leave in a hurry without buying any souvenirs, missing out on the senbei...

The main shop and this shop are both close to my house, but I don't buy them for myself (´ε｀；)ｳｰﾝ… It's not that the taste is bad, but I don't feel the need to buy them to eat... I sometimes receive them as gifts and that's fine with me☆⌒d(´∀｀)ノ This time, I received: a set of 6 different rice crackers including: "Fuki-yose", "Miso Senbei", "Te-yaki Senbei", "Hana-Kusso", "Shirakawa Road", and "Kibune Kiku"!! (^O^)／ Fuki-yose is a gentle ginger-flavored rice cracker, Miso Senbei is a hard rice cracker with miso flavor, Te-yaki Senbei is also hard with a strong soy sauce flavor!! Personally, I prefer a more rounded soy sauce flavor, but I can't stop eating them (^-^; They are truly delicious rice crackers (laughs). Hana-Kusso is a fluffy rice cracker with black sugar flavor, likely preferred by elderly people (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡ Shirakawa Road is the representative confectionery here!! A thin rice cracker with a sesame flavor (*^^)v Made from wheat, it's a fusion of Japanese and Western sweets♪ Kibune Kiku is my favorite!! A wheat-based rice cracker with peanuts (o^―^o)ﾆｺ The peanut flavor and quality are excellent, it's like a Japanese-style cookie (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))) Overall... all the rice crackers are handmade with a rustic and comforting taste!! (*￣0￣)/ Ooh!! That's why they lack impact Σ(ﾟдﾟlll) Grr... They may be plain, but they are truly exceptional in taste, so you can't go wrong with them, and they can be used as gifts (*^^)v It was a delightful set to receive♪ Recently, they also sell packaged versions which are great for gifts!! It might be a hidden gem, as taxi drivers often bring their customers here (^O^)／

The hot weather made me crave for some Uji ice (matcha shaved ice), so I went to the café of Mr. Tamariya, located nearby. Mr. Tamariya has been dedicated to making high-quality products for many years, so I was served with an authentic Uji milk with white balls. Just having Uji ice can get a bit too sweet and boring, so adding milk was just right. They also provide matcha syrup on the side, so you can adjust the sweetness yourself if needed. Their thoughtful service includes preparing warm tea, which is a nice touch. After chatting with the owner, I left the shop. Next time, I want to try the owner's recommended "nyuumen" dish.

I came to this restaurant to eat shaved ice for dessert, which has been on my list of places to visit for a while. Although I come to Kyoto once a month, I usually finish my errands quickly and head back right away. Today, I came by train and had some extra time, so I decided to take a walk to this place, which is a bit of a distance from the station. The building has a retro atmosphere, maybe even older. The seating arrangement is spacious and relaxed. The clientele is mostly elderly. I'm sure they have been coming here for a long time. I was planning to order matcha milk shaved ice, but when I heard "shiratama" (white balls), I changed my mind and ordered the white balls matcha milk shaved ice. After waiting for a while, the shaved ice arrived, and it looked amazing. Just by looking at it, I knew it would be delicious. The white balls were tasty, and the matcha milk shaved ice was delicious. This is truly amazing. This is the rich and dense matcha that Kyoto is known for. And as you keep eating, you will find more rich matcha at the bottom. The taste varies depending on where you scoop from, so you won't get bored. However, your mouth gradually gets colder. But this shaved ice is fantastic. It's definitely worth trying the white balls matcha milk shaved ice. At 864 yen, it's a great deal.

[Tamariya] Tamamaru Yabukoji Store ※ The availability of shaved ice may vary. Please check with the store before visiting. Tamamaru Yabukoji is a well-known store in Kyoto for its traditional sweets, especially the "Shirakawa Road" that has been popular among the residents in the northern part of the city since childhood. Although I always passed by the store, I finally decided to visit after hearing how delicious their shaved ice was. A large sign saying "ice" was displayed outside, indicating that they still had shaved ice available. The front area is for sales, while the back area is for the café. The farthest area has a small garden, creating a beautiful contrast with the dimly lit interior. ● Shaved Ice with Shiratama, Kuromitsu, and Kinako on Top for 702 yen. First, they served us cold tea and a complimentary Shirakawa Road sweet. It's been a while! The thinly grilled sesame senbei with a delicate arabesque pattern on the surface was nostalgic. It's often used as an offering at memorial services. The shaved ice was served on a long tray, resembling something you would see in a restaurant. I tried it as it was first. It has a slight crunch but a nice texture. The Kuromitsu syrup was quite sweet! There was additional syrup available, but it was unnecessary as there was already plenty on it. I sprinkled some kinako powder on top. Mmm, delicious! Kuromitsu and kinako make a perfect combination. The shiratama balls were slightly hardened by the ice, but there were plenty of them. The ice melted quite quickly. I got a bit of a brain freeze towards the end. The warm tea served at the end was much appreciated. Thank you for the meal.

A while ago, in early September, I went to have shaved ice with my mother-in-law and children. I found out about this place through reviews by Mr. Tamamaru and others, and learned that the main store is located in Kita Ward. I had come across this shop while looking for participating stores in Ukyo Ward with the Kyoto Child-Rearing Passport, and had always thought that this shop was child-friendly. However, I had never used the services listed in the passport, such as providing hot water for powdered milk or shelter for families with children, and had only passed by the shop. But on this day, it was still very hot. After letting the children play in the park, my mother-in-law suggested, "Let's take a break there," so we happily entered the shop. The interior of the shop was very quiet with only one customer, but the staff were calm and had a welcoming atmosphere, especially for families with children. My son ordered strawberry milk, I had black honey kinako with shiratama, and my mother-in-law ordered zenzai. Both my son's strawberry milk and my black honey kinako had a generous amount of milk or black honey poured on top, with additional strawberry syrup (or black honey) on the side. It may have been the most generously topped shaved ice I've had. (My son drank the separate strawberry syrup so quickly that I was surprised.) The ice was finely shaved and delicious. My mother-in-law was pleased with the tasty red beans. Just when I started to feel cold from the shaved ice, they brought out warm tea at a perfect temperature. It's nice that they make sure even children can drink it comfortably. With the Tea Ceremony Museum nearby and many related people around, I felt that this shop shows great attention to detail. Although shaved ice season is ending, I would like to visit this shop again if I have the chance.

I caught the "Kyoto Fever" in the second half of March on a weekday and decided to visit Kyoto. This time, I came to a region where tourists don't usually go, known as the holy land of tea ceremony. The surrounding shops were selling or displaying tea ceremony utensils, and there were many high-class shops with a formal atmosphere lined up! From the Tea Ceremony Hall, foreign visitors wearing kimonos could be seen coming out. Crossing Horikawa Street leads to Nishijin, the holy land of kimonos. Tea ceremony and kimonos, traditional industries of Kyoto, are abundant here, making it a place that truly represents Kyoto. This time, I came to see the special viewings of Hojokoji Temple and Honpoji Temple. First, I had lunch at a nearby restaurant where I tried "nyu-men." The restaurant is one of the top senbei shops in Kyoto, with a calm café space at the back where you can also have meals. There was a set menu of nyu-men and fried rice, but since I wanted to try Japanese sweets later, I opted for just the nyu-men. When I was served tea for the first time, they also brought out "Shirakawa Road" senbei sold at the store, making me feel like I got a bonus! It had a sesame flavor that was crispy and pleasant to eat. The nyu-men arrived. The noodles were very thin and elegant. Surprisingly, there were large sheets of yuba folded on top of the nyu-men. Sweetened dried shiitake mushrooms were also placed on top, adding a nice touch. They also brought yuzu juice, saying I could add it as I liked, and when I tried it, the taste changed again, becoming refreshing and delicious. Pickles, simmered vegetables, fried tofu, and stir-fried carrots were also included, providing a nice break between bites of nyu-men. After finishing the meal, I ordered a set of matcha and Japanese sweets. True to its reputation as a tea ceremony location, the matcha was rich in flavor, and the delicious Japanese sweets made me feel warm and cozy. The staff was also very friendly and provided excellent service. On my way back from the temple, I bought souvenirs at the store. I had been curious about "miso half-moon" and "Hanadayori," so I decided to try them. The miso half-moon was a bit firm, but it was incredibly delicious, made by mixing the miso natto from Daikakuji with Kyoto's sweet miso and baking it. I'm considering buying it online as well. Hanadayori can only be purchased at this Horikawa store. It may look sweet at first glance, but it's surprisingly subtle, with white bean paste mixed with minced cherry blossom leaves, coated with wasanbon sugar. The outside is unexpectedly crispy, while the inside contains white beans instead of red bean paste, making it soft and not overly sweet. I don't come here often, but if I'm nearby, I definitely want to visit again. (^^)v

Tamamaru Ya is famous for its "Shirakawa Road," but I heard about a seasonal treat called "Futaba Aoi" that is only sold during the Aoi Festival period. I visited the Horikawa store to try it out. - Futaba Aoi (5 pieces, 1000 yen excluding tax): This treat consists of smooth red bean paste wrapped in mugwort-infused white bean paste, with a two-leaf aoi design pressed on top. It is lightly dusted with traditional Japanese sugar, giving it an elegant finish. Despite its appearance resembling traditional dried sweets, the texture is soft and melts gently in the mouth. The sweetness is subtle, and you can faintly taste the aroma of mugwort. - Jou (Mino) 600 yen excluding tax: We also tried their main product, senbei (rice crackers). Made with only rice and salt, it is more like eating the crispy outer layer of a rice ball. This delicious senbei, with its light saltiness, was a luxurious treat that cannot be found elsewhere. Their commitment to only producing and selling within their reach is what preserves the traditional flavors like "Futaba Aoi." Encountering such treats helps one understand why Kyoto's sweets are so delicious. Thank you for the meal.