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2024.6.26
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Sweets and goods associated with the Gion Festival

[2024] Perfect souvenirs! Sweets and goods related to the Gion Festival

When the sound of "Konchikichin" begins to echo, the streets of Kyoto are filled with the Gion Festival. Here, we introduce a selection of limited-edition goods such as sweets and Japanese accessories associated with the Gion Festival. Wagashi in the shape of zongzi (dough cake wrapped in bamboo leaves) or hoko (wooden halberds) will also be available to add a festive touch to the festival. Get your hands on a special souvenir that will bring back memories of summer in Kyoto.
(TEXT / Yurie Sano)

Contents of this article

1.
Named after the Gion musical instrument [Tsuruya Yoshinobu] Konchikichin/Imadegawa
2.
Enjoy the mellow aroma! [Fukujuen's Uji Sencha Gion and Mizudashi Sencha Gion / Shijo
3.
[Ancient festival at Sasaya Iori with the Yasaka Shrine crest / Shichijo Grand Shrine
4.
Yoiyama dango at Kameya Yoshinaga, bite-sized and easy to eat / Shijo Horikawa
5.
Like a work of art! [Gion musical performance by Yoshitomi Tawaraya / Imadegawa
6.
Famous sweets are now available in limited time only [Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten (Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten)] St. Gion Festival / Shogoin
7.
Branded with a "naginohoko" (halberd)! [Narumi Mochi Honten's Hoko Dorayaki / Nishijin
8.
Edible Gion Festival zongzi! [Chimaki made with long swords by Kyoazuki / Shimogamo
9.
Gion Chigo Mochi (rice cake) from Sanjo Wakasaya, a long-established Kyoto sweets store with a long history / In front of Nijo Castle
10.
Gion Yamaboko (floats) with eye-catching bright designs [Kyo-Ame Crochet (Kyoto candy crochet)], Gion Yamaboko / Karasuma
11.
Seasonal fresh confections by "nikiniki" with a motif of the Gion Festival / Shijo-Kawaramachi
12.
Shiawase Dorayaki with Gion Matsuri branding from Kuroba-Musubi, a standby with 25 different flavors / Shijo
13.
Miyako Uchiwa (Japanese fan) by Sekiseihonpo Tobeian, depicting summer in Kyoto / Oshogun
14.
Premium Senju senbei rice crackers designed by Kozuki [Kozuki] with the flavor of the Gion Festival / Karasuma
15.
Ise cotton tenugui hand towel with cute pop design [SOU-SOU], Gion/Shijo
16.
Yamada Matsukobokutei's red seal stamp book with a design of Yamahoko floats / Kyoto Gosho area
17.
Yamaboko pattern matches yukata [TRAVELER'S FACTORY KYOTO] cotton bag / Karasuma Oike
18.
Elegant traditional handicrafts representing amity [Kyokoma Jakyu (Kyokoma jakyu)], Kyokoma Gion Yamaboko / Nijo

1. Named after the Gion musical instrument [Tsuruya Yoshinobu] Konchikichin/Imadegawa

Founded in 1803 in Nishijin, Kyoto, Tsuruya Yoshinobu (Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Kyoto confectioner that has preserved traditional techniques while inventing new ideas for Japanese confections that incorporate modern sensibilities. Konchichin is a baked confectionary named after the musical accompaniment that can be heard throughout the city during the Gion Festival. The baked crust is made from a combination of wheat and rice flours, with a special Ogura-an (sweet bean paste) filling sandwiched in between. The new package, which comes in a drawstring, depicts a scene from the Gion Festival, making it a perfect souvenir.

Tsuruya Yoshinobu Konchikin

Konchikichin: 1,350 yen for 5 pieces in a drawstring bag, 238 yen for each piece sold separately. Also available in a boxed assortment from Monday, July 1 to late July.

Tsuruya Yoshinobu Main Store

  • Tsuruya Yoshinobu Honten
  • Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kamigyo Ward, Imadegawa-dori
  • Short walk from "Horikawa Imadegawa" bus stop
  • Tel.075-441-0105
  • 1F (Shop) / 9:00-18:00
    Closed on Wednesdays (temporary business available)
  • Sold in the Kyoto area and on the web.
  • https://www.tsuruyayoshinobu.jp/special/ds/e05003

2. Enjoy the mellow aroma! [Fukujuen's Uji Sencha Gion and Mizudashi Sencha Gion / Shijo

Uji Sencha Gion and Mizudashi Sencha Gion are seasonal products from Fukujuen, a tea shop established in 1790 (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture). The packaging features a design of a summer scene in Kyoto depicted in the "Gion Matsuri Matsuri Zu Byobu" (a folding screen depicting the Gion Festival). The Uji Sencha Gion has a moderate astringency and rich flavor, while the mizudashi Sencha Gion offers a robust tea flavor and freshness even when brewed with water. The Kyoto Main Store is a facility where visitors can experience Kyoto's dynastic culture and the world of Uji tea, and a variety of encounters with tea await, including a tea-making experience and a matcha experience in a tea room.

Fukujuen Mizudashi Sencha Gion

Photo shows mizudashi sencha Gion, 1080 yen; to be sold from around late June to the end of July *Uji sencha Gion is also available for 1080 yen

Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store

  • Fukuoka Stock Exchange
  • Corner of Tominokoji, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
  • 7 minute walk from Hankyu Karasuma Station
    12 minutes walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
  • Tel. 050-3152-2901
  • 11:00-18:00
    Closed on New Year's Day and every Wednesday
  • Open July 17 (Wed) and July 24 (Wed) for Gion Festival; temporarily closed July 18 (Thu) and July 25 (Thu)
    Available at the Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store on the 1st floor of the Kyoto Main Store, as well as at the Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store online store.
  • https://www.fukujuen-kyotohonten.com/

3. [Ancient festival at Sasaya Iori with the Yasaka Shrine crest / Shichijo Grand Shrine

This year, too, the long-established Kyoto sweets store Sasaya Iori (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto), which has been in business for more than 300 years, is offering a limited edition wagashi for the Gion Festival. This elegant confection is made with chewy dough wrapped in gyuhi and branded with the Yasaka Shrine's sacred crests of Tomoe and Kikuri. This product will be sold at all stores in Kyoto, so if you cannot enjoy the Gion Festival in person, be sure to check out a store near you.

Iori Sasaya Koto Festival

Ancient Capital Festival: 1,296 yen for 5 pieces. Sold from July 13 (Sat.) to 16 (Tue.) (End when sold out)

Iori Sasaya Head Office

  • bookstore with a wide variety of books and magazines, including those by the author of "The Book of Whispers" and "The Book of Whispers
  • 86 Hanabatacho, Shichijo-dori Omiya-nishiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 8 minute walk from JR Umekoji Kyoto Nishi Station
  • Tel. 075-371-3333
  • 9:00-17:00
  • Closed on Tuesdays
    *Sold at all Kyoto stores (limited quantities)
  • http://www.sasayaiori.com/

4. Yoiyama dango at Kameya Yoshinaga, bite-sized and easy to eat / Shijo Horikawa

[KAMEYA RYOCHO (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Kyoto confectionary store that is known for its products with a modern flair. The sliced Yokan (sweet bean curd), which was created by a revolutionary idea, is one of the company's most popular Japanese sweets. Yoiyama Dango (dumplings for the Gion Festival) heralds the arrival of the Gion Festival season. These dumplings are filled with white miso paste and wrapped in gyuhi, giving them an irresistible chewy texture. The dumplings are about the size of a bite, so you may find yourself reaching for another one as you eat them. Inside the box, the dumplings are lined up like the lanterns of the Yamahoko floats, which conveys the atmosphere of the Gion Festival. The sales period is a little short, so be sure to check the information before buying.

Yoiyama Dango by Kameya Ryoucho

Yoiyama Dango: 1,620 yen, available from July 10 (Wed.) to 16 (Tue.) (ends when sold out)

Yoshinaga Kameya

  • Turtle and Yoshinaga
  • 17 and 19 Kashiwayacho, Shijo-dori Aburaokoji Nishiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Short walk from bus stop "Shijo Horikawa
  • Tel. 075-221-2005
  • 9:30-18:00
  • 7 days a week
  • https://kameya-yoshinaga.com/

5. Like a work of art! [Gion musical performance by Yoshitomi Tawaraya / Imadegawa

Tawaraya Yoshitomi (Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) has been making traditional Kyoto sweets since its establishment in the Edo period. The Gion Hayashi, a limited edition product sold in July, is one of the creative dry confections in the series. The fuyaki decorated with the floats and the colorful dried amber are so gorgeous that it would be a shame to eat them. You can almost hear the music of the Gion Festival from the box of dried confections. These sweets are not only to be tasted, but also to be enjoyed as a work of art.

Gion Hayashi by Tawaraya Yoshitomi

Gionbayashi: 1080 yen; available from around July 1 (Mon.) to 24 (Wed.)

Tawaraya Yoshitomi Karasuma

  • Tawaraya Yoshitomi Karasuten
  • Karasuma-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 3 minutes walk from Subway "Imadegawa Station"
  • Tel.075-432-3101
  • 9:00-17:00
  • open every day (except New Year's Day)
  • https://kyogashi.co.jp/
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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