Gion Tsujiri, a long-established teahouse founded in 1860, continues to serve high-quality, aromatic tea while preserving the spirit of Gion. Its Uji tea specialty café, Saryo Tsujiri, offers a refined matcha experience in a modern setting.

Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the main store, it’s just a 3-minute walk east of Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway.

The Gion café’s serene atmosphere will leave a lasting impression on your Kyoto trip. Its irresistible selection of matcha sweets draws lines from opening to closing time.

The most sought-after item is the “Tokusen Tsujiri Parfait,” a layered treat that’s as beautiful as it is satisfying.

It features sweet red bean paste, hand-made rice balls, refreshing matcha jelly, and rich matcha ice cream—all crafted to keep your taste buds delighted from the first bite to the last.

To make your Kyoto trip even more memorable, be sure to include a visit to Saryo Tsujiri Gion-honten in your plans.

Located in front of Gion’s iconic Yasaka Shrine, Kin no Yuritei offers seasonal matcha parfaits with a creative twist. These artfully crafted desserts, made with traditional Japanese sweets, are beloved by both tourists and locals.

Look for the small coffee cup sign marking the entrance to the second-floor café.

The spacious interior is decorated in brown and white, and with classical music playing in the background, it is perfect for soothing tired minds and bodies. From the counter seats, you can see Yasaka Shrine directly opposite, continuing the feeling of excitement for sightseeing in Kyoto.

The store is air-conditioned, features an air purifier that’s effective for ventilation and preventative against viral infection, and shop assistants wear masks. The distance between seats is appropriate so you can visit with peace of mind. Please remember to use the supplied alcohol hand disinfectant when entering the store.

The parfait menu changes every month or two, featuring beautifully detailed creations inspired by the season. One example is June’s “Hydrangea,” with delicate white bean paste flowers, agar jelly, layered green tea jelly, pudding, vanilla ice cream, green tea chiffon, and orange slices in perfect harmony.

In August, the café features “Natsu Ryomi,” a parfait adorned with charming summer motifs and goldfish-shaped sweets that appear to swim in the middle layer.

Other seasonal treats, like colorful fruit cream anmitsu and limited-time shaved ice, offer even more ways to savor Kyoto’s signature delicate sweets.

Located on the 1st basement floor of APA Hotel Kyoto Gion Excellent near Yasaka Shrine, is Kezurihiya Kyoto Gion. It’s known for its “Gion Aisu,” which combines the texture of shaved ice and cream.

The Kezurihiya Kyoto Gion café is only open during the day, before being converted into a bar at night. The dimly lit shop is perfect for afternoon relaxation.

The “Gion Aisu Set” pairs Kyoto tea or coffee with black bean snacks for a refined treat. The milk-based “Gion Aisu Matcha” is topped with matcha powder from Tsubakido Chaho, a historic tea shop in Fushimi.

Other flavors include roasted hojicha and fragrant black tea.

The combination of matcha and milky ice forms a gentle taste and aroma that will delight your senses. But keep in mind that the light, airy ice melts rapidly, so snap pictures quickly before eating!

Ancient kimono shops and teahouses make Shimbashi Dori one of the calmest areas in Gion. You’ll get a thrill just by walking along stone-paved roads and past some of Kyoto’s unique architecture. You’ll also find eXcafe Gion and its rattling lattice door.

Based on the concept of providing a calming space, the shop’s Kyoto brand “SOU/SOU” chairs and cushions create a charming setting within the atmosphere of the ancient capital.

The most popular dish is the “Hokuhoku Dumpling Set,” where you can grill your own dumplings at the table. It includes three pairs of mugwort and plain dumplings to enjoy just how you like them.

Top them with sweet adzuki bean paste or a savory mitarashi sauce, and pair them with fragrant matcha tea made from organically grown leaves.

The “Tenryuji Parfait Set”, a sweet combination of matcha ice cream, hojicha ice cream, and matcha warabi mochi, is also popular and comes with a cup of matcha to enjoy in this sophisticated café.

As a hub of Kyoto tourism, Gion is filled with upscale restaurants, souvenir shops, shrines, and temples. When you need a break from exploring, stop by a café and enjoy some classic Kyoto-style matcha sweets.

Beyond the five introduced here, you’ll find many more cafés and sweet shops along Gion Shopping Street and Hanamikoji Dori. Explore at your own pace and make some delicious matcha memories!