[Kyoto’s Oldest Western-Style Confectionery Shop] Wait times for reservations range from several months to a year. A Comprehensive Guide to “Murakami Kaishindo’s” Cookie Tins and Their Charm

"Murakami Kaishindo" is located in Teramachi Nijo, Kyoto. Its Western-style confections—including cookies, Russian cakes, and Kozubukuro—are made using recipes that have remained unchanged since the Meiji era and have long been beloved not only by locals but also by dessert lovers across the country.

Among these, the cookies sold in tins are so popular that people say, “You might have to wait anywhere from a few months to over a year from the time you place your order until you receive them.” What kind of store is this, and what kinds of sweets do they sell?

In this article, the Kyoto tourism media outlet KYOTREAT will provide a detailed overview of Murakami Kaishindo—from its history and product lineup to the current reservation process and access information.

What is Murakami Kaishindo? A long-established store with roots in the Murakami family, who served the Imperial Court.

The history of Murakami Kaishindo cannot be fully captured by the simple phrase “long-established Western-style confectionery shop.” The Murakami family originally moved to Kyoto from Nara-machi and was a lineage that had served the Imperial Court for generations.

The founder, Seitaro Murakami, was born inside the Imperial Palace in Meiji 4 and learned the art of making Western-style confections from his uncle, Mitsuyasu Murakami. This very Mitsuyasu was the man who, in Meiji 3, while serving as a chef in the Imperial Household Agency’s Office of the Imperial Kitchen, learned Western confectionery techniques from a Frenchman in the Yokohama Foreign Settlement, and went on to establish “Murakami Kaishindo” in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, in Meiji 7. In other words, the “Murakami Kaishindo” shops in Kyoto and Tokyo share roots based on a family relationship rather than being franchise branches (though they are now separate companies under different management).

Seitaro then returned to Kyoto, the birthplace of the Murakami family, and on September 15, Meiji 40 (1907), he opened a Western-style confectionery shop at the Teramachi Nijo location, where the store still stands today. Since then, guided by the philosophy of “preserving the traditional methods and flavors of our confections—such as cookies, Russian cakes, Koshifukuro, Teramachi vanilla pudding, and madeleines—while creating new value through innovation,” the shop has continued to operate for nearly 120 years. 

In addition to serving as a judge at various expositions before the war, the company won a gold cup at the Tokyo Taisho Exposition in Taisho 3 and was entrusted with operating a coffee shop within the dining hall of the Daimaru Kimono Store (now Daimaru Matsuzakaya). This marked the heyday of Kyoto’s Murakami Kaishindo. The popular product “Koshifuku-ro” was also created by Seitaro during this late Taisho period and is known as a confectionery beloved by the author Shotaro Ikenami. Although the shop was forced to temporarily close due to sugar rationing during the war, it resumed operations in Showa 26.

Retro Western-style mansion architectureOther Highlights

The store building itself is worth seeing. Built in the early Showa period, it features a Western-style facade of wood and plaster on the front and traditional Japanese architecture in the rear—a design that was both rare and luxurious for its time. Features such as the plate-glass doors, the curved display windows, the high ceilings, and the marble columns remain as they were in those days, vividly preserving the atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Additionally, the calligraphy reading “Kaishindo” displayed inside the store was penned by Narutsuru Kusakabe, who is considered one of the “Three Great Calligraphers” of the Meiji era. 

With cookies displayed in the showcase and tile floors, the interior is truly a space where you can “travel back in time.” It’s a spot we highly recommend for travelers who love history or enjoy exploring retro architecture.

Products Sold at Murakami Kaishindo

The main products offered by Murakami Kaishindo are as follows.

• Cookies (in a tin; advance order required)
• Russian Cake
• Kozubukuro
• Orange Jelly (Summer Limited Edition)
• Teramachi Vanilla Pudding
• Madeleine
• Dacquoise
• Florentine
• Galette Bretonne

Of these, the madeleines, dacquoises, florentines, and galettes bretonnes are sold under the sister brand “Maison de Murakami by Kyoto Murakami Kaishindo.”

・Kozubukuro

This charming treat features a Kishu mandarin orange whose peel has been hollowed out and filled with mandarin-flavored jelly. It has been a signature product for nearly 100 years, ever since Seitaro first created it in the late Taisho era, and its cute appearance has made it a hit on social media.

Russian Cake

These soft baked goods are characterized by their buttery flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Since you can buy them one variety at a time, many people enjoy trying different kinds.

Teramachi Vanilla Pudding

This is a relatively new and popular item, known for its smooth texture and vanilla aroma. Since it often sells out, we recommend visiting early if you want to be sure to try it.

・Madeleine, Dacquoise, Florentine, Galette Bretonne

Both are baked goods that highlight the flavors of almonds and butter. The dacquoise is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, while the galette bretonne features a savory, buttery flavor—each offers a distinct texture to enjoy.

The "Cookie Tin" That's All the Rage Because It's So Hard to Get

Murakami Kaishindo is synonymous with its canned cookies. The cans are packed to the brim with cookies hand-baked by artisans, and they come in two sizes: a large can (780g) and a small can (600g). Both sizes require advance reservation. Each tin contains an assortment of 11 different types of cookies, including peanut sablés, cinnamon sablés, and chocolate cream sandwiches—the appeal lies in being able to enjoy such a wide variety of flavors in a single tin.

How to Make a Reservation and Wait Times

Murakami Kaishindo’s cookies are available only by reservation—either in-store or by phone—and due to the overwhelming number of orders, the wait time for pickup has been getting longer every year. According to past news articles, the wait time around 2021 was about four months, with a maximum of about six months. However, there have been reports that people who placed orders in 2025 had to wait approximately one year for their cookies, and depending on the time of year, wait times of over a year are not uncommon.

Please note that wait times can vary significantly depending on the time of year and booking availability. Please note that the information stating “a wait of X months” is only an estimate; we recommend that you check with the store directly—either in person or by phone—for the most up-to-date information.

Please note that even if the cookie tins are on display in the store, you cannot purchase them on the spot without a reservation. If you want to ensure you get one during your trip, it’s best to call ahead to confirm availability.

About the Café Area [Important: Currently Closed]

In 2017, Murakami Kaishindo opened a café space inside its store—the first such initiative since the company’s founding. Renovated from a 90-year-old traditional Japanese building, the space has become a favorite among many for its blend of traditional and modern aesthetics, featuring vintage Scandinavian furniture, tableware crafted by local artisans, a tin counter, and private rooms lined with washi paper.

However, as of October 2026, this café is temporarily closed due to construction and renovation work on the adjacent property. According to the official website, the reopening is scheduled for around spring 2027, but it’s quite possible that the date could change depending on the progress of the renovations. If you plan to visit the café to eat or drink, be sure to check the official website in advance for the latest information on its operating status.

Please note that the sale of baked goods such as cookies and Russian cakes at our store will continue as usual even while the café is closed.

Basic Information on Murakami Kaishindo in Kyoto

*Business hours, closed days, and reservation availability are subject to change. We recommend checking the official website or calling for the latest information before your visit.

summary

Murakami Kaishindo, which traces its roots to the Murakami family—who served the Imperial Court—is one of Kyoto’s oldest Western-style confectionery shops, with a history spanning nearly 120 years. While its signature cookie tins are so popular that the wait can range from several months to a year, the store also offers a wide selection of items—such as Koshifuku-ro, Russian cake, and madeleines—that can be purchased on the spot without a reservation.

Since the café area is currently closed, we recommend focusing on takeout baked goods when you visit. Be sure to enjoy the flavors passed down since the Meiji era while admiring the historic, retro Western-style building.