On July 11, 2020, I was invited to a private lunch at the popular Chinese restaurant "Saika" in Kyoto. I got off at Higashifushimi Station at 11:40. Since the lunch started at 12:30, I went to a sushi restaurant near the station to get "mackerel sushi" for dinner. Then, I walked 50 meters south and visited "Tsuruya Gengetsu," a traditional Kyoto confectionery shop with a striking red wall and moon-shaped windows along Honmachi Street in front of Higashifushimi Temple. I bought several traditional Japanese sweets as souvenirs and for my own enjoyment. The sweets included "Tsukirin," "Gengetsu," "Shinmi," and "Kaichu Shiruko" which I enjoyed with tea later that day. The sweets were all delicious and had unique flavors. The next day, I enjoyed the "Kaichu Shiruko" as a snack. The weather was humid and rainy, but I managed to find my way to "Saika" in Sadanoin, a Nouvelle Chinois restaurant, where I arrived at 12:10 and met with everyone. It was a delightful dining experience.

In July 2020, a friend brought me a gift from "Saika" at Toji Temple for lunch. It was a set of wagashi from "Tsuruya Gengestu" near Keihan Toji Temple Station. The set included four wagashi: warabimochi, Sawabe fireflies, Kawahara nadeshiko, and Kikyo. I tried them at home and they were all delicious with a refined sweetness. Personally, I liked the Sawabe fireflies the most, as it had a unique texture and a summery feel with its yellow soot representing the fireflies' light. Thank you for the treat!

I went to Toji Temple for the last autumn leaves viewing of the year. I was excited to visit Toji Temple after a long time, but unfortunately, the leaves on the Togenkyo Bridge were past their peak, which was disappointing. However, I decided to pay extra to enter the inner areas like the Hojo, and it was still beautiful. Feeling encouraged, I paid extra again to enter the special viewing area, and it was worth it. Although it cost a bit more, I was satisfied with the experience. I took my time exploring all the way to the back, and by the time I left, it was getting dark and I had to hurry home without even stopping for tea. On my way back, I stumbled upon a shop and decided to buy some souvenirs. I bought the seasonal limited edition Ginnan Mochi (3 pieces for 810 yen). The Ginnan Mochi looked beautiful with its translucent green color, and when I cut it open, I found two small green ginkgo nuts wrapped in sweet bean paste inside. It was my first time trying Ginnan Mochi, and although the texture was soft and the taste of the bean paste was good, the flavor of the ginkgo nuts was a bit unusual. Overall, it was an interesting Japanese sweet discovery. I enjoyed the end of autumn while savoring the Ginnan Mochi.

I visited a Japanese-style house with a historical atmosphere, looking for delicious Japanese sweets as souvenirs from Kyoto. The store had a quiet atmosphere with minimal product display, unlike typical souvenir shops. They had a few types of fresh sweets and dried sweets available. I couldn't decide between the fresh sweets, which don't last long, and the dried sweets, which came in small quantities. After hesitating, I asked if I could buy just one fresh sweet, and they said yes. I ended up getting a Ginnan Mochi. They only sold them in sets of three, so they put it directly into a paper bag, which got a bit squished by the time I got home. The price was 250 yen, and it bothered me that they didn't give a receipt. They said thank you, but without making eye contact. The taste was really delicious, and I wanted to eat it again. It had a sophisticated flavor that seemed to require a lot of effort, truly reflecting Kyoto's traditional sweets.

Tsuruya Gengetsu is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop located on the way from Tofuku-ji Station to Tofuku-ji Temple. Their seasonal specialty, "Ginnan Mochi," is a must-try during this time of year. The chewy texture of the mochi pairs perfectly with the sweet red bean paste, and it also contains two blue ginkgo nuts. I was initially skeptical of the combination with ginkgo nuts, but it turned out to be exquisite. The nutty flavor complements the sweetness of the red bean paste, creating a deep and rich taste. It perfectly captures the autumn season with its deliciousness, seasonal touch, and surprising twist. Overall, I think this confectionery hits all the right notes.