"I was drawn in by the sign that said 'Sakuramochi, Hanami Dango, Yomogi Mochi available'. It's the season when my favorite sakuramochi starts to come out. When I entered, I found that there were not only traditional Japanese sweets, but mainly Western-style sweets. They had a variety of cakes like Salted Chestnut Mont Blanc, Macarons, Tart Tatin, and firm pudding. On the side, there were Japanese sweets, and that's where I found what I was looking for. They also sold pottery. The sakuramochi was soft and wrapped in gentle sakura leaves with just the right amount of saltiness. The yomogi mochi had a bit more chewiness, and the taste of yomogi was stronger than the sweet bean paste. It's not very sweet, so it may not be suitable for those who don't like the grassy taste. Both were simple and delicious. Next time, I want to try the Western-style sweets."

It's a shop that sells traditional Japanese sweets and Western-style sweets (cakes). I thought it was rare to see both being sold. This time, I bought Japanese sweets, but I would like to try the cakes next time.

I was looking for a coin parking and happened to stumble upon this place with a big curtain. I drove past it and then backed up to take a closer look at the store. I thought it might be a cake shop because I saw a cake showcase inside. I decided to go in and found not only cakes but also Japanese sweets and plates for sale. I had a bad feeling at first, but ended up buying three small rice cakes - sakuramochi, yomogimochi, and mikasa (white bean paste and red bean paste) for 160 yen each. When I got home, I had them as dessert after dinner. Surprisingly, they were delicious. The sakuramochi had a delicious smooth bean paste filling, the yomogimochi had a slightly strong aroma of mugwort but was chewy and had a good balance of sweetness with the red bean paste, and the mikasa had a moist skin and the red bean paste was also very tasty. I'm not sure what their specialty is, but I might try their Western-style sweets next time. I'll report back when I do.

Kuri Roll/Kashiwaya Hiroyuki 1365 yen Located right near Yoshidayama, this shop offers both Japanese and Western sweets. The texture of the roll cake is fine and delicate, with a soft and moist feel and a mild sweetness. The cream is sweet but light and soft, with a milky flavor. The chestnut cream retains a grainy texture and has a natural sweetness of chestnuts. The chestnuts are large and chunky, giving a strong presence. The cake is firm yet moist, with a bold flavor and a strong sweetness. In addition to the chestnut flavor, there are also matcha and fruit flavors available.

■Date received: August 30, 2021 ■Item received: Chigusa no Kisai (Assorted Japanese sweets) ■MEMO: Received at the company on August 30, 2021. Apologies for not including all items in the photos as some were already eaten. It is an assortment of various types of Japanese sweets called Chigusa no Kisai. This is a delightful product for those who enjoy sweet treats and traditional Japanese confectionery. My wife, who loves Japanese sweets, is enjoying them. I also tried some, and I must say, the moderate sweetness, colorful presentation, and meticulous craftsmanship shine through in this product. I would like to visit the store in person someday. ■Blog: https://ay-style.net/

Yamada Kankurou Okamachi is a confectionery shop established in 1931, located near Mototanaka Station. The shop is run by a family, with the father making traditional Japanese sweets and the daughter making Western-style sweets, while the mother handles sales. Their small seasonal confections are perfect for enjoying with tea, and their assortment called "Senku no Kisai" seems like a great gift to bring. The French pastries mentioned in the review are not flashy but have a lovely appeal. This time, the reviewer stumbled upon the shop in a pottery store they happened to pass by. Near Manju-in Temple in Ichijoji area, a sign caught the reviewer's eye while strolling down a side street: "Limited time offer, first time in seven years. Pottery and cute Kyoto sweets shop." The shop was located next to Kyoto Udon Wabisuke, run by the older daughter who sells pottery. In a corner of the store filled with pottery, there were several small and beautiful Kyoto sweets. The reviewer learned that the sweets were handmade by the father daily. They purchased the "Kurikoro" which resembled a chestnut in appearance and taste, providing a simple and sweet treat when craving something sugary. The reviewer was drawn to the handwritten sign that said "Popular!" and decided to purchase it along with some pottery they liked. This time, the reviewer was intrigued by the pottery and ended up buying some sweets as well. The original shop may be a bit inconvenient for those not familiar with the area, but the reviewer felt compelled to visit to experience the seasonal offerings. The Western-style sweets are also appealing.