Matcha lovers rejoice! Besides ceremonial grade Matcha which is typically sourced from the finest tea leaves in the historical city of Uji used for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, confectionery makers in Kyoto have perfected the art of incorporating Matcha into desserts.
In Kyoto you will see green tea in every possible iteration, from Wagashis to Ice Creams to Cake Rolls. Here is a list of some of the Matcha items that I have tried and loved in Kyoto.
1. Fumon-an Cafe
Located near Kiyomizu Temple and Sanneizaka is Fumon-An, a sweet-specialist shop selling its signature Warabimochi amongst other delicious Matcha treats said to bring good fortune. After an afternoon of sightseeing in the busy Kiyomizu-dera area, head over to the serene interiors of Fumon-an Cafe and have the chilled Warabimochi which is a delight especially during hot summer days.
Fumon-an
Address: 2-246 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi
Website: http://fumon-an.co.jp/index.html
2. Sawawa (茶和々)
Located in the Nishiki Market - dubbed as Kyoto's Kitchen, is the highly popular dessert shop selling Matcha Warabimochi (Bracken Starch Jelly covered in Matcha powder).
Using Uji tea carefully ground with a stone mill in-store, Sawawa creates fresh Matcha powder for its customers to enjoy the rich aroma and deep taste of tea leaves. The large pieces of Warabimochi that are made in house daily are then cut into smaller pieces and rolled in the Matcha powder. Enjoy the bitter aroma of the tea powder and melt in the mouth jelly-like texture of the Warabimochi. Trust me once you have have tasted freshly made Warabimochi, it will change your life forever.
Sawawa
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Nakauoyacho 498-1
Website: http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/sawawa/
3. Giwon Komori (ぎをん 小森)
Giwon Komori is regarded as one of the go-to places for traditional Matcha desserts. Located in a delightful spot along the Shirakawa River in Gion, one can enjoy the sweets while overlooking the river and garden.
Besides the classics which are done impeccably well - Matcha Warabimochi, Shiratama Anmitsu (Matcha Jelly with white dumplings, chestnut and red beans), Shaved Ice Uji Milk (shaved ice that is as soft as powder snow and melts on the tongue), if you are feeling over-the-top, order their towering Warabimochi Parfait. This old-school sundae styled dessert with an assortment of jelly, red beans, warabimochi, vanilla and pure Matcha ice cream is well worth the 1,630 yen.
Time flows differently at Giwon Komori which is part of the preserved historical area of Kyoto. Enjoy Matcha sweets while listening to the murmuring of Shirakawa is one of the many beautiful things to experience in Kyoto.
Giwon Komori
Address: 61 Motoyoshicho, Higashiiri, Yamatooji, Shinbashi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0087
Website: http://www.giwon-komori.com/
4. Itokyuemon （伊藤久右衛門 平等院店）
If you are a Matcha enthusiast, you have to make your way to Uji, where the finest tea leaves in Japan originate from. There is no better place to enjoy a variety of Matcha confectionary than Itohkyuemon (Main Branch in Uji) - that has specialized in Uji tea and sweets since the 1800s.
Take your pick from its comprehensive Matcha menu - Parfaits with Matcha Jelly, Shiratama (sticky white ball dumplings), Azuki Beans and Warabi Mochi, Matcha Anmitsu - Matcha Honey on Jelly with toppings, Uji Matcha Roll Cake and Tarts to even savory items such as Herring Soba with Matcha (a Kyoto specialty with herring kanro-ni on top of matcha soba). There is also an extensive souvenir shop in the main store for you to bring home your favourite Matcha goodies such as the Matcha Chocolate Tarts, Matcha Liquor and even the Matcha Soba Soup set.
Itohkyuemon
Address: 19-3 Aramaki, Todo, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Website: https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/corporate/shop/uji/
5. Kiyomizu Kyoami 清水京あみ
Located at the popular streets nearby the Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, you will find yourself jostling between the crowds who are shopping from a range of confectionary, souvenirs, amulets located in the rows of traditional Japanese shophouses.
There, you will find Kiyomizu Kyoami - famous for its variation on Kyoto’s famous “Yatsuhashi” (glutinous rice flour with cinnamon and sugar) confection in choux form. The choux comes with a smooth matcha or vanilla cream filling and in a crispy puff with a whiff of cinnamon. Order the pure Japanese Green tea intense in its flavours to go along with your snack.
Kiyomizu Kyoami 清水京あみ
Address: 1-262-2 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama- ku, Kyoto-shi
Opening Hours: 10 am-6pm
Website: https://www.kiyomizukyoami.com/
6. PABLO - Matcha Cheese Tart
Delighting customers with their signature Cheesecakes, PABLO takes on a Japanese interpretation of Cheesecakes by incorporating their local ingredients and fruits to create seasonal items. The highly popular Cheesecake chain is a crowd favorite amongst tourists and locals alike.
The Matcha Cheesecake is widely available not just in Kyoto - the cheese batter is mixed with Uji Matcha, Glutinous Rice Dumplings and Red Beans. The intense bitterness of Matcha with the flowing creamy cheese is a delicious combination.
Pablo
Website: https://www.pablo3.com/
7. Starbucks Matcha Seasonal Items
When you are in Japan, there's no excuse for you to not stop by Starbucks and try their endless list of inventive offerings using their local ingredients - Matcha being my favourite. The Matcha White Chocolate Frappuccino is a decadent treat with the perfect balance of bitterness from the shot of Green Tea sauce. Oh, there's a chocolate cake inside the drink as well! The Coffee & Espresso Matcha Cake is dense with a pound cake-like texture that is mildly bitter.
You have to make a trip to Starbucks to try out its seasonal beverage line-up and unique confectionary they have to offer.
Starbucks Japan
Website: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/
8. Matcha Soft Serve
This delicious concoction is widely available all over Kyoto and it is loved for its delicate bitterness. Enjoy the ubiquitous Matcha Soft Serve cone in Kyoto's iconic hotspots such as Kiyomizudera, Arashimaya, Fushimi Inari etc. There's nothing better than having a perfectly swirled Matcha cone on hand during cold winter days while taking in the beautiful sights Kyoto has to offer.
9. Matcha Drinks
Tsujiri is a wildly popular green tea chain in Japan. In recent years, the brand has expanded overseas to spread its tea worldwide. As an international tea brand with over 150 years of history, there's no better place to have a cup of Tsujiri's Matcha made of the highest quality tea from Kyoto. Offering a variety of tea based beverages such as Umenoshiro O-Matcha, Yuzu Citron O-Matcha, Tsujiri Whipped Cream Latte, Sencha (Green Tea), Houjicha (Roasted Tea), Yuzu Citron Tea to Tsujiri Ice Blended, there is something for everyone on its menu. I enjoyed its Matcha Green Tea with a milk base with a rich taste.
When you are in Kyoto, you can find Matcha based beverages in most cafes and even from their Combinis for a quick Matcha fix.
Tsujiri
Website: https://tsujiri-global.com/
Kyoto, Japan