Core Kyoto

Kyoto Snacks: Sweets and Treats for Everyday People

In Kyoto, people regularly buy sweet treats at stores, which specialize in seasonal sweets that are also used in festivals. Some purveyors continue to use age-old ingredients and methods, and the lines outside their stores are proof of their popularity. People believe eating red adzuki beans wards off evil, as well as providing nutrition and energy, so they are a favored ingredient for ritual sweets. Discover Kyoto's beating heart in the sweets and treats that embody the everyday wisdom of old.