Walking along the stone steps road called Ninenzaka, between Kodaiji temple and Kiyomizudera temple, there is a small sweet café “Ninenzaka-Kasagiya.”
I love this old rustic small shop especially in summer season, because you can have “Tokusei-Siruko Shake,” made by red beans and white gem, and this is the only shop where you can have it in Kyoto.
“Amatou-no Sudoori Dekinu Ninenzaka” is a famous Senryu, shortest poem in Japan, saying that “With sweet tooth, you can’t walk through Ninenzaka with non-stop.” J
I am sorry to say again but it is a small and rustic café and foreigners, or even young Japanese will pass by, however, rustic appearance also indicates its tradition in Ninenzaka street.
Yumeji Takehisa is a famous artist who liked to draw a woman in his unique style, some of Japanese Manga writers were affected by his pictures.
Yumeji was living in the house just the vicinity of this café, and this Kasagiyais well known as a favorite café of Yumeji and his wife.
This is the “Tokusei-Shiruko shake.”
Frozen Oshiruko with white gem topping.
If you say it in Starbucks style, it is Azuki Frapecino with Shiratama.
Just as looking, it is a cup of gelato and not too sweet, it is very easy to have it. In a menu, you will find some other attractive sweets, Ohagi or Zenzai made by Tanba-Dainagon red beans.
I can’t stop ordering everything if I do not make a decision before entering the shop.
Because most of the tourists do not know this shop, and usually it is occupied with local customers around Ninenzaka, I will recommend you to visit this sweet café, if you want to have a cup of sweet beverage in hot summer Kyoto.
“ Kasagiya”
Kodaiji-Masuyacho 349, Higashiyama, Kyoto regular
holiday: Tuesday if it is national holiday, open
Open：11:00～18:00
Phone：075-561-9562
