Umezono is a long-established sweet shop located on Kawaramachi Street in the heart of Kyoto. It has been loved by people for about 100 years since it was founded in 1927 (Showa 2). It now has six stores, but the original Kawaramachi store continues to carry on the spirit of the time it was first opened.

Deliciousness we want to pass on to future generations

"The charm of Umezono is that it has continued to innovate with the times while preserving tradition," says Yuichiro Yamaguchi. Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Yamaguchi joined Umezono because he was attracted to the Japanese sweets and desserts of Kyoto.

When the shop first opened, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, was a thriving entertainment district. Umezono was born within this area as a sweet shop where customers could casually drop in. It started as a small shop that only sold mitarashi dango, and by the second generation owner they had begun serving anmitsu, and the menu has expanded over the years.

Currently, the third generation owner is Nishikawa Aoi. Nishikawa has come up with new menu items incorporating Western elements such as pancakes and decorative jelly, saying, "I want the new generation who will lead the future to be happy." In this way, Umezono has progressed with the times.

Our heartfelt thoughts will not change

While taking on new challenges, Umezono's Kawaramachi store, the origin of the restaurant, is committed to keeping things the same. Since the restaurant's founding, the words "with all our heart" have been important. Our hospitality to customers remains unchanged even in the Reiwa era.

When you step inside the store, you'll feel a nostalgic atmosphere as if you've traveled back in time. The interior has been repeatedly repaired, but it still retains the same atmosphere as when it first opened. Compared to other stores, the store is small and there aren't many seats. Therefore, customer service is more important than anything else.

"We do our best to guide our customers so that they can relax and enjoy themselves in the limited space and time we have," says Yamaguchi. In order to deliver freshly made deliciousness, the restaurant has been committed to making food only after receiving an order since it first opened.

Japanese sweets that parents and children can share

The ever-popular item on the menu is the mitarashi dango. Its distinctive shape and chewy texture, which can't be found anywhere else, have made it a favorite since the shop's opening. Many customers buy some to take home as a souvenir after spending time in the shop.

The Kawaramachi store has many regular customers, some of whom have been coming for over 50 years. Parents and children can be seen visiting together, sharing the signature mitarashi dango and innovative new Japanese sweets between generations. "Angasane," invented by Nishikawa, the third-generation owner, is a new Japanese sweet that is also popular with the younger generation. It is a soft cookie sandwiched with a specially made bean paste, giving it a moist texture.

"While cherishing the unchanging goodness of our Kawaramachi store, we also want to take on new challenges. With a blend of tradition and innovation, we aim to be a sweet shop that continues to be loved in Kyoto."

As the streets of Kyoto slowly change, Umezono Kawaramachi store continues to bring in new trends while maintaining its traditional appearance. We aim to be a place that will continue to be loved by many people.

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Umezono Kawaramachi store

電話：075-221-5017

Address: 234-4 Yamazakicho, Kawaramachi Sanjo Sagaru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City

Access: 5 minutes walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

HP: https://umezono-kyoto.com/kawaramachi/

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/umezono_kyoto/?img_index=1

For details on opening hours and closing days, please check the link above.