9 famous foods from Kyoto! Carefully selected sweets and traditional gourmet foods you definitely want to try
Japanese cuisine in Kyoto As a traditional food culture, Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage It is a world-class product!
So in this article, From traditional dishes to try in Kyoto, to popular sweets, and gourmet food perfect for eating on the go , 9 carefully selected items We will introduce the following.
Kyoto A special experience unique to We've also included some tips, so please take a look!
What are the famous and traditional foods of Kyoto?
Thank you very much
Kyoto
If you go to , you'll want to try some traditional and famous foods.
"
Speaking of famous food in Kyoto!
Here are some typical examples:
1. Obanzai
A popular Kyoto home-cooking dish,
Obanzai
"
.
In kanji, it is written as "obanzai," and "ban" refers to everyday foods, such as bancha tea.
Everyday side dishes
This means.
Since ancient times, the people of Kyoto have gathered around the dinner table to enjoy simple dishes made with plenty of seasonal vegetables.
Kyoto vegetables are best enjoyed when simmered or cooked.
The simple taste that makes the most of the ingredients is what makes it stand out.
is!
In Kyoto City,
Including Obanzai
Experience cooking Kyoto cuisine
There are also plenty of events being held!
Why not try the special experience of recreating and eating the authentic taste with your own hands?
This plan does not support English.
"Tofu" is one of Kyoto's representative ingredients. You will make soy milk and okara, and make everything from "Oboro Tofu" to "Momen Tofu". While making "Tofu", you will also mix your own original shichimi (seven-spice seasoning). After the tofu-making experience, you will enjoy the tofu you made in the experience in a hot tofu pot and a "hydrangea meal". Experience and meal set
This plan does not support English.
Would you like to experience the "umami" and "aroma" of dashi, the essence of Japanese cuisine? Washoku is a traditional Japanese food culture. Learn how to make dashi, the origin of this delicious Japanese cuisine, in a fun way. Enjoy freshly shaved bonito flakes, freshly cooked rice cooked in a clay pot, and finally Kyoto-style kitsune udon! (A meal of Obanzai is included.) *The experience will start at any time between 10:00 and 13:00.
2. Yuba and Yudofu
Kyoto So, Making use of high-quality groundwater Yuba (tofu skin) or boiled tofu has become popular.
Yuba (tofu skin)
teeth,
Soy milk is heated and the film that forms on the surface is pulled out
It has been an essential ingredient in vegetarian cuisine since ancient times.
boiled tofu
teeth,
A simple dish made by simply heating tofu in kelp stock
This really brings out the deliciousness of the tofu itself.
Both have a delicate flavor that is typical of Kyoto!
In Kyoto City,
Tofu making experience
Also popular
!
Please come and enjoy the deliciousness of freshly made Oboro Tofu, which can only be experienced through this experience!
"Otofu" is one of Kyoto's representative ingredients. You will make soy milk and okara, and then make "Oboro tofu" and "Momen tofu". The freshly made "Oboro tofu" is exceptionally delicious, and can only be tasted during this experience! The finished "Otofu" is then boiled in hot water and enjoyed. *The experience is a collaborative effort in groups of 2-3 people. [Note: Supported languages
This plan does not support English.
Would you like to experience the "umami" and "aroma" of dashi, the essence of Japanese cuisine? Washoku is a traditional Japanese food culture. Learn how to make dashi, the origin of this delicious Japanese cuisine, in a fun way. Enjoy freshly shaved bonito flakes, freshly cooked rice cooked in a clay pot, and finally Kyoto-style kitsune udon! You will also make your own "oboro tofu". Melting yuba and fluffy warm yuba are also included.
3. Barazushi
Barazushi
teeth,
A local dish popular in the Tanba region of Kyoto.
.
It is a type of pressed sushi made by stuffing vinegared rice into a mold, topping it with soft-boiled mackerel, shredded egg, kanpyo (dried gourd), kamaboko (fish cake), etc., and pressing it into a solid shape.
Bara sushi was created as a way to preserve the mackerel that was transported from Wakasa Bay to the capital, but today it is An essential dish for any celebration It has become.
It looks gorgeous and keeps better than regular sushi, making it a perfect souvenir. is!
Birthplace:
Tango City
So,
Bara-zushi making experience
" is being held.
In other areas, "
Hand-rolled sushi experience
" is being held, so if you're interested, be sure to check out the following!
[Kyoto, Tango City] Northern Kyoto local cuisine - Bara sushi making experience
Tango bara sushi is one of the traditional local dishes of the Tango region. Its main feature is that it uses mackerel oboro. Oboro is made by mashing raw fish in a mortar, seasoning it, and then frying it over a fire. It has a refined taste, and the sweet and salty flavor is addictive! Bara sushi is made by stuffing sushi rice into a mold and topping it with ingredients such as oboro and tamagoyaki.
Enjoy hospitality in a 120-year-old Kyoto townhouse, where you can feel at home and enjoy a special atmosphere that is different from your usual trip. Experience making temaki sushi with the proprietress. You can participate alone. You can make your own original temaki sushi using carefully selected seafood and seasonal vegetables from Nishiki Market, known as "Kyoto's Kitchen". ~Experience Outline~11:50
4. Kyoto Shichimi
Kyoto shichimi
teeth,
A seasoning made from chili peppers, Japanese pepper, pepper, green laver, miso, dried tangerine peel, hemp seeds, and poppy seeds.
.
Characterized by a spicy kick and rich flavor
It goes well with the mild flavors of Kyoto cuisine.
Kyo-shichimi not only enhances the flavor of food, To chili peppers Rich in vitamins, potassium, iron, etc. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is good for your health. is!
" Hara Ryokaku "or" Shichimiya Honpo There are many long-established shops selling these sweets, and they are light and last a long time, so they would make a great souvenir from Kyoto.
If you want to discover more carefully selected Kyoto shichimi,
Kyoto shichimi making experience
Why not join us and try your hand at blending it yourself?
"
Tofu making experience
We recommend making your own tofu with this and sprinkling it with their original Kyoto shichimi seasoning for the ultimate dining experience!
This plan does not support English.
You can make your own original Kyoto shichimi blend. Use chili pepper, Japanese pepper, green laver, dried tangerine peel, sesame seeds (white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds), poppy seeds, and hemp seeds. Once you have created the blend you like, add it to the soup stock and taste it. Adjust the spiciness and flavor, then bottle it.
This plan does not support English.
"Otofu" is one of Kyoto's representative ingredients. You will make soy milk and okara, and make everything from "Oboro tofu" to "Momen tofu". While making "Otofu", you will also mix your own original shichimi (seven-spice seasoning). The freshly made "Oboro tofu" that can only be tasted in this experience is exceptionally delicious! The finished "Otofu" will be boiled and enjoyed.
5. Kyoto Soba
Kyoto soba
teeth,
It features thin noodles and a light broth with the aroma of kelp and bonito flakes.
.
In particular, the "
Herring soba
"teeth,
Kyoto
It is a famous traditional dish.
Sets that include dried noodles and soup stock are available at souvenir shops and restaurants, so they also make a great souvenir!
At Activity Japan, we have a list of things you can do in Kyoto. Soba noodle making experience "We handle the following.
Arashiyama You can experience the experience in a place close to many tourist spots such as Ichijoji Temple, or in Wazuka Town, where the beautiful scenery of tea fields spreads out. Tea soba making experience " and a wide variety of other options!
Why not choose one that suits your preferences and travel plans?
[Ichijoji, Kyoto] Private lesson for "Authentic Soba Noodle Making Experience" (2 to 10 people)
"Umehara Handmade Soba" not only has a store in Arashiyama, but also holds a soba noodle making experience class in Ichijoji. How about trying out soba noodle making in between sightseeing? ♪ ~ Flow of the day ~ ① Check-in (5 minutes) ② Explanation of the process (5 minutes) ③ Hand washing, changing clothes, preparation (5 minutes) ④ Soba noodle making experience (45 minutes) ⑤ Tasting (30 minutes) ⑥ End
"Handmade Soba Umehara" offers a soba noodle making experience class. Why not try making soba noodles in between sightseeing in Arashiyama?♪ ~Schedule~ ① Check-in (5 minutes) ② Explanation of the process (5 minutes) ③ Hand washing, changing clothes, preparation (5 minutes) ④ Soba noodle making experience (45 minutes) ⑤ Tasting (30 minutes) ⑥ End
You can experience making "cha soba noodles," a local Kyoto dish, for 1 to 200 people. The experience location is Wazuka Town, which is easily accessible as it is located in the center of the Kansai region. Enjoy activities in Wazuka Town, which has been selected as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Japan and where tea fields stretch out as far as the eye can see. Cha soba is made by kneading Wazuka tea, a specialty product of Wazuka Town, into the noodles.
6. Kyoto Udon
Kyoto Udon
Like Kyo Soba, it boasts a light and fragrant broth made with kelp and bonito flakes!
The dish is made by simmering Kujo green onions and deep-fried tofu, and uses medium-thin noodles that soak up the broth well, making them soft enough to be cut with chopsticks.
is.
This dish places more emphasis on the soup stock than the noodles, making it a typical example of refined Kyoto cuisine.
Kyoto In Wazuka Town, From Kyoto udon noodles to Kyoto vegetable tempura and Yatsuhashi, Experience making Kyoto's local cuisine You can.
Participants from age 6 So it's something the whole family can enjoy, even with children! Please give it a try.
Limited quantity!! This is a set plan to fully enjoy Kyoto, where you can experience making Kyoto's local dishes "Kyoto Udon", "Kyoto Vegetable Tempura" and "Yatsuhashi" for 1,650 yen less than the price of each dish. The experience location is Wazuka Town, located in the center of Kansai. This activity is held in Wazuka Town, which has been selected as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Japan and has tea fields stretching as far as the eye can see.
You can experience making Kyoto udon, a local dish of Kyoto, with a group of 1 to 200 people. The experience location is Wazuka Town, located in the center of the Kansai region. Enjoy this activity in Wazuka Town, which has been selected as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Japan and where tea fields stretch out as far as the eye can see. Make the dough from powder, roll it out thinly, and finally taste the freshly made udon♪
What are the famous foods and delicious sweets of Kyoto?
Next up, Kyoto's signature sweets We will introduce you to!
1. Japanese sweets (nerikiri, dried confectionery)
Kyoto
The famous sweets of
Japanese sweets
.
Japanese sweets have been cultivated through rituals and the culture of the tea ceremony.
The feature is that you can experience the beauty of each season with all five senses.
is.
Broadly divided into fresh confections, semi-fresh confections, and dried confections, you can feel the changing of the seasons not only through the ingredients used and their flavor, but also through their appearance, aroma, and texture.
In Kyoto City,
Experience making Nerikiri and dried sweets
is possible!
Why not express the beauty of the season with your own hands?
This plan does not support English.
At An Kyoto, a Japanese culture experience center located in Karasuma-Gojo, Kyoto, anyone can enjoy experiencing Japanese culture. Why not take your first step into Japanese culture at An Kyoto? We have prepared a variety of fun and educational experience programs for you to enjoy. In the Japanese sweets making experience, you will make two seasonal Japanese sweets per person.
This plan does not support English.
At An Kyoto, a Japanese culture experience center located in Karasuma-Gojo, Kyoto, anyone can enjoy experiencing Japanese culture. Why not take your first step into Japanese culture at An Kyoto? We have prepared a variety of fun and educational experience programs for you to enjoy. For the dried confectionery making, each person can choose their favorite shape and make their own dried confectionery.
Using traditional tools, you will make seasonal Kyoto sweets. You will enjoy one of the finished sweets with the matcha tea that you prepared yourself. You can take the rest home in a small Japanese sweets box. ①Nerikiri craft 3-piece plan: Approximately 70 minutes ②Nerikiri craft 4-piece plan: Approximately 80 minutes [About supported languages] We accept
2. Yatsuhashi
Kyoto It is one of the representative Japanese sweets Yatsuhashi teeth, Rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon dough is rolled out thinly and baked to make a hard-baked rice cracker. is.
It features an arch shape which is said to resemble a koto (Japanese harp) or a bridge.
In addition, the dough was used without baking.
Fresh Yatsuhashi
Nowadays, you can enjoy a wide variety of flavors, such as unbaked yatsuhashi wrapped in sweet bean paste.
If you visit Kyoto, you should definitely try the authentic "
Fresh Yatsuhashi making experience
Why not give it a try?
You can eat it on the spot or take it home as a souvenir! Experience the craftsmanship and make your own original Yatsuhashi!
"Nama Yatsuhashi" is a Kyoto confectionery that represents Kyoto. Try making three types of nama Yatsuhashi: bean paste, matcha, and roasted chestnut, starting from making the dough. Take the finished product home as a souvenir. [About supported languages] Reception and experience instruction at our facility are only available in Japanese. Please note that you will be given a textbook in the language you are interested in, and instruction will be provided using a translation app and gestures.
This plan does not support English.
You will enjoy the Kyoto specialties "Kinugasa-don" and "Nishin-soba" with their rich dashi stock, which are loved by the locals of Kyoto. You will prepare the "Kinugasa-don" yourself. After that, you will make the dough for "Nama-yatsuhashi", and finally, you will add matcha tea and enjoy your freshly made "Nama-yatsuhashi". This is a gourmet experience where you can enjoy Kyoto specialties all at once. *Experience start time
[Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City] Honmamon Course "Mastering Fresh Yatsuhashi!" and Matcha Experience
This plan does not support English.
This is an authentic experience of making fresh yatsuhashi, starting from the dough. Not only do you steam non-glutinous rice to make the dough, but you also grind the cinnamon that you knead into the dough and the kinako that you sprinkle on the surface in a mortar and hand-make it. Of course, the bean paste that you fill the inside is also handmade by boiling red beans! Once it's done, you can enjoy it with matcha tea. Experience the ultimate in making fresh yatsuhashi, a Kyoto specialty.
3. Matcha sweets (parfaits, ice cream, etc.)
Matcha sweets made with Uji matcha
is a Kyoto sweet that is popular among tourists from both Japan and abroad!
Uji Matcha
teeth,
One of the three great teas in Japan, along with Shizuoka tea and Sayama tea.
It is said that...
It is characterized by its sweetness and richness that spreads behind its bitterness, and its vivid green color, and you can enjoy its deep aroma in sweets as well! There are many shops in Kyoto where you can enjoy sweets made with Uji matcha, so you can enjoy the authentic taste.
Also,
Experience making a parfait using Uji matcha
or,
Experience making your own matcha tea along with Japanese sweets
Also popular!
For your travel memories,
Kyoto
Why not come and experience the unique matcha culture here?
[Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City] Making a Matcha Parfait at a Yatsuhashi Shop
This plan does not support English.
We will make three-colored Yatsuhashi dumplings, matcha jelly, and matcha syrup by hand. Then, we will whip the matcha cream and arrange various ingredients such as bean paste and ice cream in a cute glass. Have fun making and enjoying Yatsuhashi shop's "Matcha Parfait"♪ *Due to preparation, we will only accept reservations until 12:00 the day before.
[Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City] Experience making dried sweets "Wasanbon" and tasting matcha
This plan does not support English.
We will make adorable dried sweets using "Wasanbon sugar", a high-quality domestic sugar. We will also make matcha tea and you can enjoy one on the spot. You will be impressed by the refined sweetness and fluffy texture.
Travel around Kyoto and learn about its famous foods
A place where tradition and aesthetic sense live on
Kyoto
Food Culture
.
The food and sweets you sample while sightseeing are sure to become lasting memories.
Along with the experience, be sure to find your own favorite flavor!
*The content of this article is current as of June 2025.
Featured image provided by:
PIXTA
![[2025] Experience traditional crafts in Kyoto! Images introducing pottery, Yuzen dyeing, and Japanese sweets making](https://img.activityjapan.com/wi/kyoto-dentokogei-taiken_thumb.jpg)
![[2025] Sightseeing and gourmet spots around Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto! Images of enjoying eating on the go](https://img.activityjapan.com/wi/kyoto-kiyomizudera-shuhen_thumb.jpg)
![Popular craft and handicraft experiences in Kyoto [for adults, couples, and children]](https://img.activityjapan.com/wi/kyoto-handcraft-acvitivy_thumb.jpg)