Do you know Kansai-style tsukimi dango? Introducing Kyoto's long-established Japanese sweets shop

When most people hear the word "tsukimi dango," they probably imagine a pyramid of pure white dumplings on a wooden stand or sampo (three sides). In fact, in the Kansai region, taro dumplings made of white rice cake wrapped with red bean paste are the norm, and Kansai-style tsukimi dango are also eaten in Kyoto on the fifteenth day of the moon.

We would like to introduce some Japanese sweets shops in Kyoto that sell tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings). Some stores only sell tsukimi dango for a few days, so please check the calendar and visit them.

Table of Contents

■Key Zenryabo

Nakamura-Ken

■ Summary

■Key Zenryabo

Kagizenryobo is a Japanese confectionery with its main store at the intersection of Shijo Dori and Hanamikoji Dori, marked by a large red curtain.
It started business in the Kyoho period (1716-1736) in the middle of the Edo period and has been making wagashi in Gion for nearly 300 years. A second store is also located near Kodaiji Temple.

Tsukimi dumplings are long, thin, drop-shaped dumplings wrapped in smooth koshi-an (sweet red bean paste).
The dumplings are made of Kamishinko, and their firm texture is addictive.
This special wagashi is made only on the day that corresponds to the Mid-Autumn Moon, and is available only once a year.

The shop also sells a variety of other traditional Japanese sweets such as yokan, kuzuyu (bean jelly), and baked sweets.
There are also many sweets that show the changing of the seasons, such as Kashiwa Mochi in May and Mizunashi for three days at the end of June.
Please visit when you are sightseeing in Gion.

Name of store:Key Goods
Address: 264 Gion-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan (Shijo Main Store)
Phone number: 075-561-1818

HP:https://www.kagizen.co.jp/

Nakamura-Ken

Nakamuraken is located just outside Katsura Rikyu, a short distance from Kyoto City.
It is marked by a large wooden sign with the name of the restaurant on the roof. It was founded in 1883.
The building was originally built in 1904 and has been used while being renovated. The appearance of this Japanese confectionery gives a sense of its long history.

Nakamuraken prepares several kinds of tsukimi dango every year.
There are also unusual tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings) with red bean paste on top of the shinko, and comparing them is another way to enjoy eating them.
Both koshi-an and tsukimi-dango are available, so you can choose your favorite tsukimi-dango.

Another characteristic of Nakamuraken is that the sweets in the store change with the seasons, with the exception of the year-round sweets.
Some people come back again and again to decide which wagashi they want, such as Uguisumochi in the spring and Mizunazuki in the summer.
If you are sightseeing in the western part of Kyoto City, such as Arashiyama or Matsuo Taisha Shrine, be sure to stop by.

Name of store:Nakamura-ken
Address: 61 Asahara-cho, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8021, Japan
Phone number: (075)-381-2650
HP: https://www.nakamuraken.co.jp/

■ Summary

In this issue, we have introduced recommended stores in Kyoto where you can purchase tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings).
The mochi-like texture of the dumplings matches the gentle sweetness of the red bean paste, making you want to reach for "just one more" again and again.
If you are visiting Kyoto in autumn, please refer to this article and visit a Japanese sweets shop that sells delicious tsukimi dango.