I decided to visit Katsura Rikyu for a tour since summer, and that's how I happened to find out about it... Honestly, I didn't think much of Katsura other than the Katsura Rikyu. I was thinking there might be a sweet shop or something. A friend and I went to visit and were surprised by the residential feel of the area. It felt like a personal residence. The shop we found had no showcase, and the sweets were explained verbally based on a paper menu. I selected some sweets based on descriptions and ended up with a matcha cream puff, cocoa sandwich, matcha sandwich, and matcha leaf chocolate. The matcha leaf chocolate was particularly impressive, with high-quality matcha used generously in the chocolate. The taste was luxurious and sophisticated. I enjoyed the sweets at home and was amazed by the quality, especially considering the affordable prices. I plan to buy more on my next visit.

Upon entering, there was a space for one person right away to choose from the menu. It was in the evening, so they apologized for almost being sold out. I tried the matcha cream puff, which I haven't had much before. The matcha flavor was strong and the cream puff had a nice texture. The matcha cream roll was a beautiful green color. It had matcha chocolate, red beans, and a crunchy texture that was enjoyable. Both were only 100 yen each?! I wonder if they aren't trying to make a profit? Maybe they just want to make it easy for elementary school kids to come and buy sweets. They were delicious.

I often use this place for gifts. This time, I bought chocolate and matcha cupcakes for four friends I haven't seen in a while. The cupcakes were dense and moist, with a chocolate or matcha coating. They were satisfying to eat and delicious. And the best part is they are cheap! Even if you buy 10, it won't cost you more than 1000 yen. I forgot to take a picture.

Originally, I saw 3-4 people lining up in the neighborhood and wondered what this place was all about. I looked it up online and found out it was a matcha sweets shop, so I decided to give it a try! When I entered the shop, it had a cozy grandma's house vibe... I bought various items (around 1000 yen) and tried them, and I was amazed! The highly recommended item is the matcha cream puff! I wasn't a big fan of matcha before, but I devoured it in an instant. I wish I had known about this place sooner...

The food is too cheap but good.

I always passed by at the wrong timing when the store was closing, but today I went there with the intention of visiting. I arrived a little before 1 pm. The exterior of the shop looks like a traditional Japanese confectionery shop. The signboard is also in matcha green color. For those familiar with the area, the shop is easy to find, but for those unfamiliar, it may be a bit difficult. There was already one person waiting in front of the shop, a woman around 60 years old, who said, "I heard from my daughter that this place is delicious, but it's always sold out so I came early today." It feels wonderful when a shop is recommended by word of mouth. Even when neighbors passed by, they would say, "This place is delicious." It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. While we were chatting, the shop opened. The shop space is small, with only space for one person to enter. There is a menu placed on the counter, where you can place your order with the staff. Most of the items on the menu are priced at less than 100 yen. I was surprised because I had the impression that matcha would be expensive. The items I purchased this time were: - Matcha Chocolate (80 yen) - Butter Cake (Matcha, Plain, Hojicha) Matcha (100 yen), Hojicha (90 yen), Plain (80 yen) - Choux Cream (Matcha, Apple, Custard) Matcha, Apple (100 yen), Custard (80 yen) - Friand (Matcha) (100 yen) I bought a total of 10 items and paid 1000 yen, receiving change back. Such affordable prices! The items were handed to me wrapped, so the contents were a surprise until I got home, which made me excited. The staff at the shop were efficient and gave a good impression. They weren't particularly friendly, but I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. They gave off the impression of being skilled artisans. When I got home and opened the box, each item was individually wrapped. They were labeled, making it easy to distinguish, and the masking tape was cute. Today, I tried the Choux Cream and the Matcha Chocolate. - Matcha Choux Cream (4.0 stars) The choux pastry is soft and topped with matcha chocolate. When you take a bite, the matcha flavor spreads. It's rare to find a sweet with such a strong matcha taste. The flavor is intense but not bitter, which was surprising. It's a delight for matcha lovers. The cream is generously filled, but quite firm, making it easy to eat. - Apple Choux Cream (4.1 stars) This one looks more like a muffin. The bottom has a tart crust, and the top is choux pastry. Inside, there is custard cream and apple compote. The texture is enjoyable. The choux is slightly firm, the tart base is crispy, and the apple has a crunchy texture. The dough has a hint of cinnamon. It's like a tart but a choux cream... a new kind of sweet! The cream is also generous. The custard cream is delicious. It's hard to believe that this is only 100 yen. After trying these two, I was pleasantly surprised. Frankly, the quality was much higher than I expected from the appearance of the shop. I regret not coming here sooner. The cost performance is unbelievably good! This place will surely become popular through word of mouth. I'm already eager to recommend it to my friends. I definitely want to continue visiting this shop in the future. Thank you for the delicious treats. ------ The next day, I believe that baked goods taste better on the second day when the flavors have settled. Today, I tried the Friand and Butter Cake. - Butter Cake (Matcha) (3.9 stars) This butter cake is also topped with matcha chocolate. The texture is moist. It needs to be refrigerated, but the matcha aroma is better enjoyed when it's at room temperature. - Butter Cake (Hojicha) (3.2 stars) This one has a crumbly texture. I'm not a fan of crumbly textures, but the taste was good. It's less fragrant when eaten after matcha, so it's better to try this one first. - Butter Cake (Plain) (3.0 stars) This one also has a crumbly texture. There's nothing particularly special about it, but it's consistently delicious. After eating tea sweets, this one may feel a bit lacking. - Friand (Matcha) (4.2 stars) This was my favorite of the day. It looks similar to the butter cake (matcha) without the chocolate topping.

During my visit in June 2014, I discovered a hidden gem called Matcha Western Confectionery Kobayashi. The owner seemed unchanged, with no frills, just the passage of time. This time, I bought the Matcha cream puff and Matcha butter cake. The appearance of the pastries had changed, with a Matcha chocolate topping on the cream puff and the Matcha butter cake resembling a cupcake. The taste remained consistent, with a perfect balance of Matcha bitterness and sweetness. Despite the increase in consumption tax, the prices remained affordable. While the exterior remained serene, the interior continued to evolve. I once again felt the charm of Matcha Western Confectionery Kobayashi. During my visit in 2011, the location was a bit hard to find, nestled in a residential area. The shop had no display case, only a menu to order from. The owner, while not overly friendly, exuded sincerity. I ordered Matcha butter cake, hojicha, cacao, frillan, Matcha chocolate leaf, Matcha cookie, and Matcha cream puff. The taste was impressive, with each flavor distinct yet not overpowering. The Matcha butter cake stood out for its strong Matcha flavor, perfectly balanced to avoid excessive bitterness. The Matcha confections were a delightful surprise, with just the right amount of Matcha to sweetness ratio. The experience was truly shocking, from the lack of display to the bold flavors.

I had always passed by this shop and knew of its existence, but had never actually visited. I heard that they have delicious matcha sweets, so I decided to go and pick some up for a small gathering. Upon entering the shop, I was surprised to find that it was tiny - about half a tatami mat in size. There was no showcase, just a slip of paper to place your order. This time, I chose chocolate - matcha, lemon, and roasted green tea flavors. Unfortunately, they only had matcha and lemon available that day, so I bought 10 of each. Each piece was reasonably priced at 80 yen for matcha and 70 yen for lemon. I didn't get to taste the cream puffs that day, but that just gives me something to look forward to next time. It's like a fun surprise to see what's available each day.

A hidden gem known to those in the know, this matcha sweets shop in Katsura is located just a stone's throw away from Piccolo Mondo Yamada, nestled in a residential area. It may take some time to find as it has a simple exterior and only a small sign indicating its opening days and hours. The shop is open four days a week from 1 pm, making it a bit of a challenge to visit. The shop itself is like a "home," with space for only one person to stand inside. When you enter, you'll find a small table with a money plate and a handwritten menu. The owner will appear promptly to take your order. Although not particularly friendly, the owner is polite and efficient. Once you've placed your order, the owner will prepare it in the back before packaging it for you to pay. You won't see the products inside the shop itself. The most popular item is the matcha cream puff, with a fluffy pastry filled with rich matcha cream. It's not overly sweet, with a distinct bitterness from the matcha that will delight matcha lovers. The lemon tart is incredibly sour with a nice texture from the fruit pulp. The custard is smooth and rich without being too sweet. Despite the unassuming location and atmosphere, the quality of each item is top-notch. I look forward to trying the apple cream puff and butter cake on my next visit.