Flânons

Kyoto · Japan · To eat

Toraya Kyoto Ichijo Store

Location & practical

Five Centuries of Sweetening Imperial Life

  • Imperial sweets since the 16th century
  • Hiroshi Naito’s cedar-vaulted garden café
  • Yōkan, matcha and a little Kyoto history
  • €7–40 / person
  • Kamigyo / Kyoto Imperial Palace (Ichijo)
  • Japanese, Wagashi, and Traditional japanese sweets
  • 35–90 minutes

The Imperial Court has had remarkably good taste in sweets for centuries. Toraya supplied confectionery during the reign of Emperor Go-Yōzei, and has kept a foothold beside Kyoto's Imperial Palace since at least 1628. Its shop still faces busy Karasuma Street; the café sits around the corner, in a much quieter world.

Architect Hiroshi Naito designed the present complex in 2009. Slender cedar ribs curve overhead and continue towards a garden terrace, where a reflecting pool, mature trees, an Edo-period storehouse and a small Inari shrine share the view. Inside, some 600 books on Japanese culture invite browsing. An adjoining gallery occasionally adds an exhibition to the afternoon. It's a surprisingly absorbing setting for a cup of tea.

Start with yōkan, Toraya's dense, beautifully smooth azuki-bean confection, alongside matcha. The tiger-striped Senri no Kaze is a particularly handsome signature. For a change of texture, try Kyoto's kinako anmitsu, a colourful assortment of jellies, dumplings and roasted soybean flour, or translucent kuzukiri dipped in syrup. These are sweets that reward a curious palate; bean paste, agar and gentle bitterness take the place of buttercream.

The retail shop is worth the short detour for flower-shaped monaka, seasonal wagashi and exquisitely boxed yōkan. Café tables are not reservable, so timing matters, especially if you have your heart set on a garden-facing seat.

  • Urban setting Kamigyo / Kyoto Imperial Palace (Ichijo)
  • Garden

Good to know.

Location
400 Hirohashidonochō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0911, Japan
Open map & directions
Parking
Toraya confirms parking for visitors; spaces are limited. Kyoto Prefecture tourism information also lists a wheelchair-accessible toilet and wheelchair access. Arrive by subway if possible, especially during busy Kyoto sightseeing periods.
Getting around
Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line to Imadegawa Station, Exit 6. Around 5 minutes on foot to the retail store on Karasuma-dori and 7 minutes to Toraya Karyo on Ichijo-dori.
Arriving
Two nearby addresses: retail shop at 415 Hirohashidonocho, corner of Karasuma-dori and Ichijo-dori; café and garden at 400 Hirohashidonocho, slightly west along Ichijo-dori. Shop 09:00–18:00; café 10:00–18:00, last order 17:30. Both close on New Year’s Day and generally the final Monday of the month, except public holidays and December; confirm exceptions before visiting. Café telephone +81 75 441 3113; shop +81 75 441 3111.
Accessibility
Kyoto Prefecture’s tourism organisation lists the café as wheelchair accessible with an adapted toilet and assistance dogs permitted. The retail store is separate from the café; contact the venue about your specific route or assistance requirements before visiting.
Travelling with children
Families and children can visit. The garden and café make a gentle stop, but there is no verified dedicated children’s menu; ask staff about ingredients and suitable portions.

Worth knowing

  • Café seating cannot be reserved. Weekends and peak sightseeing periods may involve waiting, especially for garden-facing places.
  • The confectionery shop opens at 09:00; the garden café opens at 10:00 and takes last orders at 17:30. Both generally close on the last Monday of the month (except public holidays and December) and on January 1; verify holiday changes.
  • Traditional wagashi often centre on azuki bean paste, agar, sticky rice and delicate textures; they differ considerably from Western pastries. Ask the staff about allergies, including soy, wheat and changing seasonal ingredients.
  • The café, garden and occasional gallery exhibitions are at the western Ichijo-dori address. The main retail store is separately located on Karasuma-dori, a short walk away.
  • The garden terrace is weather dependent, and no particular table can be guaranteed. Gallery exhibitions are occasional rather than continuously open.

A few places to make it your own.

Kyukyodo

To shop · Kyoto

Kyukyodo

On Kyoto’s Teramachi street, amid the churn of modern retail, Kyukyodo offers a far older idea of shopping. Founded in 1663, when Kyoto still moved to imperial rhythms and Louis...

Discover this place
The Shinmonzen

To stay · Kyoto

The Shinmonzen

A remarkable nine suite retreat by Tadao Ando in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, where Japanese craftsmanship meets contemporary art and French sophistication. Behind its striking timber façade, intimate interiors and private balconies overlook the Shirakawa River.

Discover this place
Imperial Hotel Kyoto

To stay · Kyoto

Imperial Hotel Kyoto

Imperial Hotel Kyoto arrives with the quiet confidence of a project that understands its setting. The property is housed in the former Yasaka Kaikan, a 1930s theatre designed by...

Discover this place
About this edit · 10 sources