nemocco
I stopped by while sightseeing in the area. There was a shop called Nishio Yatsuhashi across the street. Personally, I preferred the atmosphere of this shop, both the exterior and interior. The spacious and calm interior was empty after the previous customers left, probably because it was getting late in the evening. I was able to shop leisurely in the quiet store. The popular fresh Yatsuhashi, including seasonal varieties, were displayed in a glass case in the front. My favorite traditional Yatsuhashi (baked type) was lined up with various flavors on the right side. There were also limited edition products like sake manju and sake dango, as well as a product called Kakitsubata, but they were sold out by the time I arrived. Two women of different ages were in charge of sales, and they provided courteous service typical of a long-established store. When I mentioned that I liked their products and occasionally bought small bags at a local department store, the staff recommended their favorite flavors and even suggested how to enjoy them, making for a very friendly conversation that made me happy. Despite only buying a small amount, the staff provided attentive service until I left the store. Truly a popular and traditional store in Kyoto! I gave some of the purchased items as souvenirs to my relatives. The seasonal chestnut Yatsuhashi for 594 yen was a limited edition with sweet bean paste. I usually don't like fresh Yatsuhashi, but I bought it this time because it was a seasonal limited edition and the staff recommended it. The soft, fragrant Yatsuhashi dough paired well with the sweet chestnut paste. It wasn't particularly outstanding in taste, but it was interesting with a seasonal flavor. It would make a good souvenir. I haven't had fresh Yatsuhashi recently, so I can't compare, but the Yatsuhashi dough here had a mild fragrance without being too strong, and it smelled elegant. The reasonable price was also pleasing. The Seigoin Yatsuhashi coffee for 270 yen was a choice I made this time, as I often eat the ginger flavor. It had a slightly bitter coffee flavor that blended well with the moderate fragrance of the Yatsuhashi. The sweetness of the dough combined with the coffee flavor, and the crunchy texture was impressive as always! It had a Western touch compared to the ginger flavor I occasionally buy, making it enjoyable with tea or coffee. The Seigoin Yatsuhashi ginger, which I bought at a souvenir shop in the station building as a handy souvenir when I visited Kyoto before, has become a favorite since then, and I have been buying it when the timing is right. It is a type of baked Yatsuhashi cut into short pieces with a sugar-coated ginger flavor. The convenient size and price are satisfying. The slightly spicy ginger taste, the sweetness of the dough, and the sugared ginger on top create a good texture. I like the crunchy texture and nutty flavor of the Yatsuhashi itself, making it perfect to enjoy little by little with tea. I would like to try other flavors like sesame in the future. Since there were limited quantities and seasonal items that I couldn't buy this time, I would like to visit the main store or affiliated stores when I go to Kyoto again.