11 Instagram Viral Desserts & Cafes to Try in Kyoto
Ooo, Japanese desserts. This topic needs to be a blog post of its own, of course for good reasons. Being vegetarians, our food choices were very limited in Japan, so we were very keen on trying all the unique sweets and desserts Japan had to offer. I did hours and hours of research to list all those Instagram & Tiktok viral desserts we had to try in Kyoto. After all, they are viral for a reason! I couldn’t find one article that listed everything for an easy read. So here I am collating the list of ’11 Instagram Viral Desserts & Cafes to try in Kyoto’, so you don’t have to put in hours and hours of research.
11 Instagram Viral Desserts & Cafes you should Try in Kyoto
In this list of 11 Instagram & Tiktok Viral Desserts & Cafes in Kyoto, I am detailing all the unique desserts to try and cafe’s to experience while in Kyoto. Some of these places are small shops for just take aways, some of them are cafes, while others are gift shops / bakery that have gone viral on Instagram & Tiktok. I have also provided the website link and other details like opening hours, payment method etc. In the end, you will find a google map linked with all these locations listed out.
In addition to this list of Instagram & Tiktok Viral Desserts & Cafes in Kyoto, you will find Dongo, candied strawberries & grapes and Daifuku Mochi almost everywhere in Kyoto. Don’t miss out on them. 😉
Let’s dive into this list of viral desserts & cafes in Kyoto now!
1. Kumonocha Cafe
Kumonocha Cafe has taken Instagram by storm for its delicate cloud mousse cakes and fancy cloud macha drinks. In Japanese, Kumonocha means seeking soft and fluffy comfort like a cloud, and their cake represents this comfort. The shop has a variety of Kumono cloud cakes depending on the season, for example, during spring you will get to experience the intricate Sakura flavour.
Kumonocha Cafe has multiple branches in Kyoto. The Sannenzaka branch is a tea lounge and is very popular among tourists as it’s centrally located. However, it is also very crowded, especially during peak season. There are other branches in Arishiyama, Gion, etc, which are equally charming in terms of decor and serve the viral cloud cakes.
Kumonocha Cafe was my favorite of all, and had to be on the top of the list of these 11 Instagram Viral Desserts & Cafes to Try in Kyoto.
Location: There are 8 branches in Kyoto and all the locations can be found here – Kumonicha Cafe Locations
Sannenzaka branch: 3-317 Sanneizaka Matsubara Urimiri Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862
Arashiyama branch: 20-13 Saga Tenryuji Zorocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8384
Opening Hours: Most of the branches are open from 10 am to 5 pm, however, some of them are open for longer. You can check the opening hours of these branches in the link above.
What to try here: There must be one order minimum per person. You can order a cake & drink set or just a drink. Try their viral cloud cake & cloud matcha drink set.
Payment Method: A mousse set will set you back by 1280 yen. Prices for seasonal flavours are higher. Both cash and card are accepted.
2. Maccha House
Maccha House has taken the Internet by sensation in the last few years and for good reasons. Their Macha Tiramisu is delicate, creamy and so amazing that you need to try it on your own. This cafe is so popular, that during peak season the queue can be several hours long. The good news is that Macha House has many branches in Kyoto & Tokyo, so you definitely won’t miss a chance to experience this awesomeness.
If you are not a Maccha fan, you can try their Roasted Green Tea Tiramisu. They have several other options on their menu like the parfaits, matcha soft-serve ice cream, lattes, etc. We loved it so much, that Raga went back the next day for another serving.
Location: There are 2 branches in Kyoto – Shimizusan Neisaka & Kawaramachi branch. All the locations can be found here – Maccha House Locations
Kawaramachi branch: 382-2 Komeya-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-kamiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Shimizusan branch: 3-337 Shimizu, Higashiyama- ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Hours: Most of the branches are open from 11 am to 6 pm, however, some of them are open for longer. You can check the opening hours of these branches in the link above.
What to try here: There needs to be one order minimum per person. Try their viral matcha tiramisu.
Payment Method: Maccha Tiramisu will set you back by 800 yen. Both cash and cards are accepted.
3. Gion Komori
Gion Komori is a remodelled riverside tea house, set up in a traditional “machiya” house. They serve specialty Japaense sweets, one of which is the Warabi Mochi. We have tried so many different types of Mochi in Japan, but Warabi Mochi is hands down our favorite kind. It’s soft, gooey, and melts in your mouth. If you don’t like Maccha, they have Warabi Mochi with Warabi powder on their menu. They also offer Parfaits in their menu that are made with Warabi Mochi.
The experience is amazing, as you will get to eat these delicious treats in a traditional set-up of sitting on the floor with low dining tables.
Address: 61 Motoyoshi-cho, Yamato Oji Higashi-iru, Shinbashi-dori, Nishino-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Opening Hours: 11 am to 9 pm, with the last order at 8.30 pm on weekdays. Open on Sundays and national holidays until 8 pm (last order at 19:30). Closed on Wednesdays.
What to try here: There needs to be one order minimum per person. Try their Warabi Mochi.
Payment Method: Prices are a little expensive compared to other cafes, but well worth it. Matcha warabimochi will cost 1,300 yen. The shop only accepts cash.
4. Fukueido
Founded in 1950, Fukueidou is a wagashi (confectionery) shop in Gion, Kyoto. It’s a small shop that sells a variety of traditional Japanese sweets & confectioneries. We recommend trying their specialty Kabuki Dongo (rice dumplings on a skewer). These Dongo are tricoloured comprising sweet red bean paste, sweet white bean paste, and matcha. We have tried a variety of Dongo in Japan, but the Kabuki Dongo stood out in its flavor and uniqueness. So much so, that we picked a quick dessert almost every night before retiring for the night. The price per Dongo is very reasonable and so worth it.
Address: 238 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0077, Japan
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm on most days.
What to try here: No minimum purchase is required as it’s a small takeaway shop. Try their Kabuki Dongo.
Payment Method: One dongo skewer costs 250 yen. The shop only accepts cash.
5. Wakana
Wakana is a small cafe that serves lunch and sweets and allows you to dine in or get a takeaway. The cafe has a take-out area outside, so you can easily buy Dongos to go. In the take-out area, the staff toasts the Dongos in front of you and glazes them with brown sugar syrup. The shop is very Instagram-friendly, and the Dongos are delicious. Our little kiddo lived on Dongos in Japan, and absolutely devoured them every time we got one for her.
The cafe also serves lunch, latte, and other sweets like shaved ice for those dining in.
Address: 476-2 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm.
What to try here: For takeaway, no minimum purchase is required. Try their toasted Dongo with Roasted Soybean flour & brown sugar syrup.
Payment Method: All Dongos are 250 yen. The shop only accepts cash & PayPay, which is Japanese mobile payment method.
6. Panel Cafe
Panel Cafe is known for its creamy and fluffy soufflé pancakes. If you have never had a chance to take the Japanese soufflé pancakes, then you should definitely visit this cafe. These soufflé pancakes are so soft, that they literally melt in your mouth. They also serve Croffle which are an interesting waffle baked from croissant dough. We had already tried a similar soufflé pancake in Tokyo, so we skipped Panel Cafe.
Panel Cafe is for sure one of the most Instagram viral cafes in Kyoto, and for good reason. The cafe offers a natural ambience, as it is located along the Shirakawa River in Gion, and has terrace seating. It’s worth noting however that the queues for this cafe were always very long, so our suggestion would be to reach before opening time and start queuing to save longer wait time.
The above images are from Flipper’s cafe in Tokyo, but the pancakes in Panel Cafe are very similar.
Address: 165 Tokiwacho, Higashiyama-Ku 1F, Kyoto 605-0079 Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm.
What to try here: Soufflé pancakes & Croffle. The cafe also allows takeout, if you are not interested in queuing for hours.
Payment Method: The starting price of pancakes is 990 yen and croffle is 1,298 yen. Cards are accepted and reservation in advance might be possible.
7. Inari Saryo
Inari Saryo, is a cute Japanese tea cafe, that’s famous for its beautiful Uji matcha parfaits. Located in the rest area of Fushimi Inari Shrine, the cafe is definitely the place to relax after hiking the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Outdoor seating of the cafe offers beautiful views of the Japanese garden and would be more enjoyable during spring & autumn. Inari Saryo’s parfaits incorporates many rice elements to honour Inari, the Shinto god of rice and the quality of matcha is very high. Easily this was one of the best parfaits we have tasted in Japan.
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-0000 Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm with the last order at 3.30 pm. Closed on Wednesday (open if it is a public holiday).
What to try here: Matcha Parfaits and shaved ice. However, matcha parfaits tasted much better and came with a small card to explain the different components it was made of.
Payment Method: Maccha parfait costs 1,500 yen, and matcha shaved ice costs 1,200 yen. Both card and cash are accepted, and the queuing system is efficient.
8. Miffy’s Kitchen Bakery
Miffy’s Kitchen Bakery is a sensation in Kyoto and one of the most Instagrammed shops in the region. It’s not a cafe, rather a goods shop that carries many ‘Miffy’ designed sweets, bakery products, and souvenirs. A Kawaii shop, you can not miss while in Kyoto.
Miffy’s Kitchen Bakery has multiple branches throughout Kyoto, however, due to its popularity they are all very crowded. The first floor usually carries baked goods and other sweets and the second floor has many gifts and Miffy products.
Address: Multiple shops across Kyoto, which can be found on their website. However, the popular and convenient branches are:
Miffy’s Oyatsu-do by Miffy’s Kitchen Gion: 572-2 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074, Japan
Miffy Sakura Kitchen & Bakery Arashiyama store: 20-27 Saga Tenryuji Zorocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Opening Hours: Most of the branches are open between 10 am to 5 pm.
What to try here: Miffy bread – they are soft and have various filling options.
Payment Method: Both card and cash are accepted.
9. Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House
Rilakkuma Tea House is another Instagram sensation in Kyoto known for its kawaii Rilakkuma featured sweet and savory dishes. The shop has a gift shop with all Rilakkuma merchandise on the first floor and a cafe on the second floor. Due to its popularity, the queue to sit in the cafe is usually very long. However, there is also a takeaway section where you can order soft-serve, in case you are not interested in queuing.
It was end of the day for us in Arashiyama, and we had a 6 course dinner booked later in the evening, so we skipped the cafe and got soft-serve for our kiddo.
Address: 15 Kitazoji-cho, Saga Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8374
Opening Hours: 10.30 am to 5.30 pm with the last order at 5 pm.
What to try here: Rilakkuma soft-serve. The cafe doesn’t have any vegetarian options, and from the reviews, it looks like even though the food looks good, the taste is ordinary.
Payment Method: Both card and cash are accepted.
10. Taiyaki
You can find Taiyaki everywhere in Kyoto, especially during the sakura season. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake / street food, mostly filled with red bean paste made from sweetened adzuki beans. You can find Taiyaki with other fillings like custard, chocolate, cheese, or sweet potato as well.
Since we went during the Aki season (fall), we didn’t find many shops selling Taiyaki. Narutotaiyaki Honpo Gion Shijo, near the Gion Shijo train station, was a last-minute find for me. They were making fresh Taiyaki and let me tell you, it was delicious and crispy. You have to try this while you are in Kyoto, as this dessert is unlike anything you would have tasted before.
Later we found many shops in the Nishiki market selling Taiyaki in different shapes and forms for example Peanuts character shaped Taiyaki.
Address: Here are both the addresses:
Narutotaiyaki Hopno Gion Shijo: 6 Ishibashi-cho, Sanjo-Dori Teramachi Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Snoopy Tea House: 480 Naka-Uoya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm for Narutotaiyaki Hopno Gion Shijo shop. While Snoopy tea house is open from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
What to try here: Red bean filled Taiyaki
Payment Method: Each Taiyaki costs around 300 yen, and only cash is accepted.
11. Nakatanidou
Nakatanidou is a very popular Japanese confectionary shop in Nara. They sell freshly made mugwort mochi (yomogi mochi), that is made using high-speed mochi pounding. Not only can you buy fresh mochi here, that are soft goey and delicate, but every 30 minutes the staff here demonstrate mochi pounding. This mochi pounding demonstration has gone viral on Instagram and other social media channels. You must try their super authentic mochis when you travel to Nara!
Again, one of my favourite stops on this list of 11 Instagram viral desserts & cafes to try in Kyoto.
Address: 29 Hashimotocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8217
Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
What to try here: Mugwort mochi, but please consume them while they are fresh. The mochi looses it’s taste and freshness if kept outside for long.
Payment Method: 180 yen for 1 piece of mochi, and only cash is accepted.
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