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Hidden Kyoto Cafes! 3 Colorful Sweets And Drink Selections
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Kyoto is known for temples and shrines, but it is also a treasure trove for photogenic desserts and sweets. From colorful cream sodas to coffee shops serving rainbow-colored jelly punch, these eateries rival well-known sightseeing spots! Pay a visit to these one-of-a-kind stores while in Kyoto!
Where to Enjoy Kyoto’s One-Of-A-Kind Colorful Sweets
Kyoto is full of eye-catching buildings. The city is known for notable spots like Kinkakuji Temple, drawing attention to its golden halls, and Yasaka Koshindo Temple, adorned with colorful good-luck charms. However, Kyoto is also home to unique sweets that are equally as amazing as these spots!
In this article, we'll introduce three well-known shops where you can taste these very sweets and drinks.
1. SHIN-SETSU’s Multicolored Cream Soda
Picture courtesy of SHIN-SETSU
The first place we want to introduce is SHIN-SETSU, a famous cream soda shop that is known among locals in Kyoto. The shop operates inside the Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Arcade near downtown Kyoto.
Cream soda is where a scoop of ice cream is added to a carbonated beverage.
Picture courtesy of SHIN-SETSU
Upon opening the shop's adorable green door, you'll enter into a colorful, pop-art-like space.
The pairing of the pink wallpaper with vibrantly colorful retro goods will make visitors feel like they've entered another world. You'll get amazing pictures no matter what angle they're snapped from inside this shop!
Picture courtesy of SHIN-SETSU
This shop serves 24 flavors of cream soda. The flavors range from childhood favorites like melon to unique floral blends of lavender to mouthwatering peach flavors. Even the time you spend deciding on what flavor to get is fun!
Picture courtesy of SHIN-SETSU
All of their cream sodas come with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cherry on top. Its lovely appearance will have you suddenly beaming with a smile.
We also recommend inviting friends and family to order an assortment of flavors. After placing your order, line up the cream sodas—capturing every color of the rainbow—and snap away!
2. The Long-Established Soiree’s Gem-Like Jelly Punch
Picture courtesy of Soiree
Opening its doors in 1948, Soiree is one of Kyoto's most well known and well-established cafes. The shop is northeast of Shijo Kawaramachi—Kyoto’s business district—by the Takase River. It's in a great location, just a minute walk from Kawaramachi Station.
Picture courtesy of Soiree
Passed its time-worn door, you’ll find a shop tinted with dreamy blue lighting. The reasoning behind the blue lights is because customers look the best under this cerulean lighting. The wooden engravings on the walls and the leather sofas create a dignified atmosphere unique to an long-running cafe.
Picture courtesy of Soiree
The cafe's most popular menu item is the jelly punch (750 yen with tax), a recipe by the second generation owner's wife. It's a drink popular among people who have a sweet tooth. It comes with five varieties of sparkling, gem-like jellies inside.
The bubbly soda water and transparent jelly are almost too pretty to eat. This is a special dessert enjoyable only in Kyoto!
3. KISSHOKARYO Gion’s Acclaimed Parfaits
Picture courtesy of KISSHOKARYO Gion
KISSHOKARYO Gion is a specialty kinako (roasted soybean flour) shop loved by all ages of Kyoto residents. It’s just a six-minute walk from the beautiful vermillion torii gates of Yasaka Shrine. It’s also near famous sightseeing areas like Gion and Chion-in.
Picture courtesy of KISSHOKARYO Gion
KISSHOKARYO is known for its aromatic kinako, made with a unique method of roasting soybeans before grinding the beans into flour. Confections made with this special soybean flour are served at the Gion location. Some of the sweets are also topped with the freshly ground flour.
Renovated from a historical Japanese home, the store has a modern and laid-back atmosphere. It's perfect for a short break during your Gion sightseeing.
Picture courtesy of KISSHOKARYO Gion
The shop’s specialty is their Kogashi Kinako Parfait (1,210 yen with tax). It's a creative parfait that combines Japanese flavors with Western sweets blending ingredients like soymilk blancmange, hojicha (roasted green tea) jelly, and meringue.
The parfait is topped generously with aromatic soybean flour, which allows you to taste its flavor to the fullest. Be sure to stop by if you're in the Gion district.
Making Tasty and Memorable Memories in Kyoto
The places you'll want to visit in Kyoto aren't only temples and shrines. Cafes that offer one-of-a-kind sweets and beverages are another thing to enjoy in Kyoto. By visiting these shops, you're sure to make great memories during your trip.
Main image courtesy of SHIN-SETSU
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京都在住のアラサー女子。カフェ巡りと紙モノ集めが趣味。 食べることがだいすきです。
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