Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto: Unique and Delicious Japanese Dessert

Looking for a unique and delicious Japanese dessert experience? Look no further than Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto.

Last winter, my boyfriend and I finally visited the Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto (かざりや あぶり餅), a traditional Japanese teahouse we've wanted to visit for a long time. There are two tea houses near Imamiya Shrine's east gate. One is super old, and the other is brand new. Both shops sell aburi-mochi, a type of dessert that has been around for over a thousand years since the Heian period in Japan.

The oldest and most original shop in town is Ichimonjiya Wasuke（一文字屋 和輔) or Aburi-mochi Ichiwa (あぶり餅 一和). This amazing teahouse has been around since 1000 A.D. and has a fascinating story behind it. Back then, they started making rice cakes for the adjacent Imamiya Shrine, offering them to the gods in prayer for peace and well-being during starvation and epidemics. The locals believed that eating it would grant them protection from illnesses. 

However, we accidentally lined up at the newer teahouse, Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto, which happened to be on the opposite side of where we were supposed to be. 

It was quite an unexpected thing, but it was worth it.

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Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto is Over 300 Years Old

Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto has been around since 1656. It's a famous rival of Ichiwa and is known for its Aburi-mochi. They make this rice cake by mixing it with soy flour and grilling it with a white miso sauce. You can actually watch them grill the aburi mochi on bamboo skewers right at the storefront. A set of 10 skewers with hot tea costs 600 yen.

Both Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto and Ichiwa trying to get people to come in and try their tasty treats. They're both doing a pretty good job because there are always long lines of people waiting to get their hands on those treats!

So, if you're looking for some delicious rice cakes with a rich history, be sure to stop by Kazariya Aburi Mochi Kyoto and Ichimonjiya Wasuke!

People line up for both the oldest shop and the newer one.

Four people helping each other to grill all delicious Aburi-mochi.

Bite-sized aburi mochi at Kazariya (かざりや あぶり餅)

The shop has a traditional and charming atmosphere.

The old teahouse, Ichimonjiya Wasuke (一文字屋 和輔) or Aburi-mochi Ichiwa (あぶり餅 一和)

Opening Hours

• 10:00 - 17:00 
• They're closed every Wednesday.

How to Get There

To get there, you can take the bus or drive by car.

By Bus

Hop on bus 206 from Kyoto station and get off at Funaokayama stop. It's just a 10-minute walk from there.