Yayoi, a long-established Kyoto store selling dried baby sardines with Japanese pepper, is located in Higashiyama, near Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, and Kiyomizu Temple, which are bustling with tourists. Their dried baby sardines with Japanese pepper, affectionately known as "Ojako," have a gentle flavor that can't be found anywhere else. In addition to their delicious taste, Yayoi's hospitality connects them to their customers.

Delicious food made with carefully selected ingredients and a spirit of hospitality

The founder of Yayoi was a chef. After showing his skills as a chef at several stores, he realized that delicious food could be delivered to people's homes, and so he began to steadily cook ojaako in a single pot. The ojaako production method, based on the belief that "delicious food is all about the ingredients," is still used today.

The selection of dried small sardines and cooking them in pots is all done by hand. "The taste changes when they are mass-produced by machine. We just want to deliver delicious food to our customers. It's a daily occurrence for the president to work together at the factory," says store manager Inoue.

Why "Kyoto home cooking" is so popular as a gift

Ojako is a Kyoto home-style dish that started with a single pot. It has become popular all over Japan because of the deliciousness of ojako and the hospitality that is the foundation of Yayoi.

The store is built in the Sukiya-zukuri style, a Japanese architectural style. The building uses carefully selected wood and exudes a warm atmosphere. It is a reflection of Yayoi's belief in polishing the inside to provide hospitality to customers.

There is a spacious rest area at the back of the store. "We serve cold tea in the summer and hot tea in the winter. We hope that the time you spend in our store will be a relaxing time."

Yayoi's Ojako spread through communication between people. For example, the ladies of the entertainment district commented that it was delicious. As it was used as a gift, midyear gift, or year-end present, the number of Yayoi fans increased.

"The reason why Ojako is still loved today is because we are particular about making delicious food, not mass-produced," Inoue said simply. Yayoi values hospitality not only for regular customers, but also for customers who are trying Ojako for the first time.

"The sample was delicious, but I wonder if I can finish it at home," or "I don't usually eat much rice." These are some of the things you hear when listening to the conversations of tourists. To address such concerns, we offer recipe suggestions for ojako on our website and in-store. Our staff share "ojako arrangements" that they actually enjoy.

Popular dishes include ojako toast and ojako pasta. "I hope this will be an opportunity for people who don't usually eat ojako to enjoy it. Our ojako has a mild flavor and goes well with any dish," says Inoue.

A harmony of Nordic modernity and Japanese style. Enjoy ochazuke at Yayoi Cafe

If you go further into the store, you will come across a corridor resembling an eel's sleeping quarters, and there is a cafe that is only open on weekends and holidays. The interior of the cafe, with its Scandinavian modern style that harmonizes with the Japanese atmosphere of "Yayoi", will help you to calmly relax and unwind after your travels.

At this cafe, you can enjoy a meal of ojako ochazuke.

It's a quiet space that's hard to imagine from the busy street. Inoue says he wants customers to take a break and feel at ease and comfortable. Not only do customers who buy ojako at the store visit the cafe, but many customers who try ojako for the first time at the cafe also buy the products from the store again.

The reason why Yayoi's Ojako continues to be loved is because of the carefully selected ingredients and the hospitality that has remained unchanged since the restaurant first opened. Not only is the seasoning gentle, but the warm atmosphere of the restaurant also relaxes the hearts of all who visit.

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Dried Japanese pepper Yayoi

電話：075-561-8413

Address: 481 Kiyoicho, Shimokawahara, Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City

Access: From Kyoto Station, take city bus 206 and get off at "Gion" and then walk for 5 minutes. From Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, walk for 14 minutes.

HP: https://www.yayoi-ojako.co.jp/

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/yayoi_ojako/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.