Recommended Gifts you can buy in Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto where ranked in the top of tourist cities in the world

Hi, this is Payke writer, Reina.
Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital and attracts many tourists with the great traditional city scenery and world heritage.
This time, I will introduce recommended gifts in Kyoto that makes you feel Japaneseness!

“The basic gifts! Everyone will like it.”
【Yatsuhashi】

〔Price〕540 yen （tax included）
〔Volume〕10 pieces
Yatsuhashi is the basic gifts you can buy in Kyoto. I always buy it as a gift when I go to Kyoto and I love its gentle taste from long ago.
However, there are many varieties of them, so you don’t know which one to choose.
This time, I tried “Four seasons in Kyoto -Yuko-” by Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo.

It is a poetic confection named after “Yuko” the main character of “Five town evening fog tower” written by Tsutomu Mizukami. There are multiple tastes available; Nikki, Matcha, and Strawberry flavor. The doughy Yatsuhashi and Tsubuan (semi-crushed red beans) go very well. Dainagon Tsubuan from Kyoto Sagano (this is the place where Tsubuan originated) is used。
Every taste is simple and elegant, and just one bite makes me satisfied.
It is attractive that various flavors are released each season; chocolate flavor when it comes to Valentine season, Cherry blossoms flavor when it comes to spring, Chestnuts flavor when it comes to autumn!

“A bite of Yokan tastes rich”
【Spring is dawn (In spring, it is the dawn that is most beautiful)】

〔Price〕216 yen （tax included）
It is Kyoto’s confectionary has a unique taste combination of European style dough and small Yokan coloured light spring pink.

I think two layers of dough represent half-Japanese and half-Western style and it makes you feel unfamiliar. Just one bite brings you soft sweetness and it is very nice!
This is a seasonal limited item from January to April. You can buy it from only one piece so please try it!

“Traditional pickled vegetables in Kyoto”
【Shiba Zuke】

〔Price〕 about 700 yen
Shiba Zuke from Nishiri where is famous for Kyoto-style pickled vegetables keeps its producing process as it was from the past, and eggplant is mainly salted with red shiso leaves.

Its shiso flavor, crunchy texture, and the refreshing sour taste match Japanese sense of eating. It is just right eating with Ochazuke etc.

“Good eating with rice and drinking alcohol”
【Bamboo Shoots】

〔Price〕 about 650 yen
This is also from Nishiri where is famous for Kyoto-style pickled vegetables. Chopped bamboo shoots are seasoned rich with Japanese pepper. The more you chew, the more scent of the pepper spreads in your mouth.

I love bamboo shoots and peppers, so I like these combinations very much.
After opening the package, please put it in the refrigerator and eat it as soon as possible.
These items I introduced this time can be purchased at “Kyoto Hall” in the Tokyo Station area.
Please go there when you visit Tokyo station!