Went to a traditional Japanese sweets shop in front of the North Gate of Toji Temple. Bought some snacks for home (⌒∇⌒). Got kashiwa mochi, sakura mochi, yomogi daifuku, and mame mochi, 4 pieces for 540 yen. They also sell freshly baked "mitarashi dango" in front of the shop during Kobo-san. I was hoping to find some pre-made ones on another day, but it seems they only sell them on the 21st. Unfortunately, it looks like the Kobo-san event in April is canceled. I wonder if they still sell mitarashi dango since the shop is open. I really like the mitarashi dango from here.

I went to the local event "Oinari-san no Engi" at To-ji Temple around 10 o'clock. Normally, there are more shops during the beginning and end of the month, but this time there were only half as many as usual. It was less crowded than usual, probably due to people trying to avoid each other. Many elderly people were also present, which was a bit risky. I visited a traditional Japanese confectionery shop called "Hinode Roushi" in front of the north gate of To-ji Temple. They were selling freshly made Mitarashi dango only on the day of Oinari-san. I bought 5 pieces and enjoyed the slightly sweet black syrup on top.

Limited to 21st, I bought 5 Mitarashi dango (skewered rice dumplings in sweet soy sauce) and I'm happy because they were sold out last month. On March 21st at Kobo-san market, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, I went as usual like my daily walks. Most of the vendors were Japanese and about 2/3 of the usual number of stalls were open. It was quite easy to walk around, even on a Saturday. Last month, I heard vendors offering discounts, but this time, everyone seemed to have a more relaxed attitude. The handmade bag shop was quite lively though. I was able to buy a mask while learning about their production process. Unfortunately, the April Kobo-san market has been canceled. I hope for the return of peaceful days soon.

I have been living near Toji Temple for 20 years. My house is closest to the South Gate, so it might be my first time coming to the North Sanno-mon Gate side. I found out from a food review website that they sell "mitarashi dango" only on the 21st, so I went to try it. It was my first time trying it, and I discovered that it is a shop where I often buy traditional Japanese sweets at a nearby supermarket. The "mitarashi dango" this time was a new experience for me. I would have been happier if the rice cake was a little more grilled. I would have also liked it if the black sugar flavor was stronger. However, it was a "personal preference" kind of "mitarashi dango" (^-^♪ I'm glad to know that there is a shop nearby where I can buy "mitarashi dango." Thank you for the meal.

I got some "chestnut rice cakes"~♪ I got some chestnut rice cakes at a shop called "Hirohosan no Ohagi" with a banner hanging outside. There were various options inside the shop, but this one looked the most delicious. It's definitely tastier than regular rice cakes! There's also a double chestnut version, but unfortunately, it was sold out... This one is really good though, a bit sweet but tasty!

From JR Kyoto Station, head west on Hachijo Street, towards the north gate of Toji Temple, there is a confectionery shop in a white-walled building with a green tent roof and a small red banner that reads "Kobo-san no Ohagi". Unfortunately, they only offer takeout and do not have seating inside. While on the way to see the cherry blossoms at Rokusonno Shrine, a sign caught my eye advertising their new product "Sakura Daifuku". Despite thinking I didn't have time, I couldn't resist and decided to stop by on my way back to Kyoto Station. I purchased the Sakura Daifuku and the Ohagi. The Ohagi had a sweet bean paste filling and a slightly chewy rice texture, perfect for a snack. The Sakura Daifuku had a cherry blossom leaf salted skin wrapped around sweet bean paste, with a nice hint of sakura flavor and a touch of saltiness. It was a delicious treat that I ended up enjoying as my evening snack at home.

I visited a shop on my way back from To-ji Temple that I had been curious about for a while. Every 21st of the month during the Kobo-Ichi market, they sell "mitarashi dango" in front of the north gate of To-ji Temple. The shop has been loved by visitors to To-ji Temple and locals for many years. Even though it was raining, I saw a local elderly man buying "minazuki" and "kuzumochi". I had been curious about "minazuki", a sweet treat eaten in Kyoto on June 30th. This day is known as Nagoshi no Harae, a purification ritual to cleanse oneself of impurities from the past six months and pray for purity for the next six months. In the past, people from the imperial court would cool themselves down by eating ice from the ice room near Mt. Hiei in Kyoto. Since ice was precious and not easily accessible to the general public, they would eat "minazuki" made from kneaded flour to resemble ice. The triangular shape of "minazuki" represents ice, while the red beans on top symbolize warding off evil spirits. It is a sweet treat to endure the summer heat and pray for good health. I purchased "minazuki", "kuzumochi", and "warabimochi". "Minazuki" had a soft and jelly-like texture with a light sweetness from the red beans on top, making it a delicious traditional Japanese sweet. I imagine people in Kyoto compare different versions of "minazuki". Traditional Japanese sweets in Kyoto have a deep history, which adds to their flavor. I would like to eat "minazuki" again on June 30th next year. "Warabimochi" had a refreshing appearance and a light sweetness with a jelly-like texture, making it a delightful treat. "Kuzumochi" also had a tempting appearance with its jelly-like texture. I couldn't resist buying it, and it turned out to be delicious with a perfect balance of sweetness from the sweet red bean paste and the chewy kudzu. The shop may not be flashy in a department store, but it is a wonderful shop deeply rooted in the community. Next time, I would like to try "mitarashi dango" and "ohagi".

I bought some bread at a bakery and was about to leave when I saw a sign that said "Ohagi" and was drawn into the store. I ended up buying ohagi, sakura mochi, sakura mochi pie, and more. When I got home, I enjoyed them. The flavors were as expected, with just the right amount of sweetness in the red bean paste. The sizes were easy to eat. Maybe because it's near Toji Temple, people kept coming in one after another. There were even students on a school trip. Both the ohagi and sakura mochi were delicious. My wife even said that the sakura mochi pie was quite tasty. Overall, it's a good restaurant that you can find in your daily life.

I have various favorite temples in Kyoto, but I really love To-ji Temple! It's within walking distance from JR Kyoto Station, and the three-dimensional mandala never fails to impress me. And for just one coin (500 yen), it's a steal! Right next to To-ji Temple on the north side is Hinode Shoten, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop. They are currently offering special viewings until the end of this month (November 2013) at Kanchi-in, right next to To-ji Temple's north gate, so it's quite close to JR Kyoto Station. I had always been curious about this shop as I saw locals shopping there regularly. So, I finally decided to check it out this time... The shop is small, but it really gives off a seasonal vibe! There are plenty of autumn-themed sweets for November! I truly feel that Japanese confectionery is a unique cultural experience. I bought the autumn new release, "Chestnut Mochi Pie," and the November-themed "Boar's Child Mochi." It cost around 350 yen for both. I think what makes Kyoto's traditional Japanese confectionery shops special is their attention to detail. Even though the packaging was simple, there was a subtle touch with a plastic leaf included. Even though I only bought two items, they really put thought into the color scheme. That's Kyoto for you! The Chestnut Mochi Pie was suggested to be lightly toasted before eating, but it was delicious as it is! A perfect blend of Japanese and Western flavors. The Boar's Child Mochi was simple yet had a rich taste. Japanese confectionery is truly profound. They also had red rice made with authentic chestnuts. Everything felt very authentic. I should have bought more... You really need to try authentic Japanese confectionery to appreciate the sweetness and elegance! Hinode Shoten may not be a high-end store, but it offers high-quality treats that are the real deal. I will definitely visit again when I go to To-ji Temple. Thank you for the delicious treats!

"Travel diary in Usa" A shop specializing in traditional Japanese sweets for takeout only. You cannot eat inside the shop. Revisit expectation rating 3.0 = If you can eat inside, I would visit again, but... Many people who visited after a pilgrimage bought Japanese sweets as souvenirs. The payment amount was 600 yen. I was attracted by the rumors of a shop famous for "ohagi" that I vaguely heard. The "ohagi" had a light Kyoto-style taste with a mild sweetness and yellow powder. It was not exactly to our liking, as we prefer a more distinct taste. The sauce on the mitarashi dango had a good balance of sweet and savory flavors, which I liked (although my wife had a different opinion). The dango itself was... when heated in the microwave as instructed, it had a good mochi texture but lacked a crispy texture. It falls within my broad range of preferences. I think it would be quite delicious if eaten fresh, but it's a shame that it's only available for takeout.

There is a confectionery shop at the temple, "Touji," also known as "Kyouougokoku-ji," where I enjoyed a special viewing of the national treasure, the five-story pagoda. Afterwards, I indulged in a traditional sweet called kinako and green tea for 300 yen at the tea house. The sweet had a smooth red bean paste filling and a soft outer layer. The temple grounds were filled with national treasures and important cultural properties, including Buddhist statues, although some were temporarily relocated. It was a bit lonely without them, but it couldn't be helped.