Located right outside the Central Exit of JR Kyoto Station, Omiyage Kaido is a souvenir specialty shop that carries not only your typical Kyoto souvenirs but also Japanese sweets and Kyoto sundries from long-established stores steeped in history and culture. Its convenient location ensures easy access, making it ideal for a quick visit before or after boarding your train. The shop is duty-free and accepts various credit cards, providing an easy, hassle-free shopping experience for international tourists searching for the perfect souvenir.

One of the advantages of shopping at a general souvenir shop lies in its diverse selection of products from multiple manufacturers, unlike their directly-operated counterparts, which exclusively feature their own products. By opting for a general souvenir store, you can avoid visiting several stores to find what you need and complete your souvenir shopping in a single trip.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the latest top 20 ranking of popular souvenirs available at Omiyage Kaido, located in JR Kyoto Station by the Central Exit. The ranking includes both local favorites and duty-free selections. Amongst these top 20, a significant number of souvenirs feature premium teas.

Sweets infused with matcha and hojicha are particularly popular amongst international visitors and offer a delightful way to experience Japan. Additionally, there is a recent trend towards blending Western-style confectioneries with Japanese elements, which is especially appealing to foreign tourists.

Overall, this standout selection of sweets is worth exploring for anyone looking for unique and delicious souvenirs to take home from their trip to Kyoto.

While yatsuhashi is a blend of rice flour, sugar, and nikki that is steamed and baked to a hard consistency, nama- (or raw) yatsuhashi is made by steaming the dough without baking it.

The Annama Dark Matcha and Matcha An boasts a deeper green tea essence than the traditional matcha nama-yatsuhashi, capturing the attention of locals and visitors alike.

Each package contains five pieces each of two distinct nama-yatsuhashi flavors: one delicately wrapped in dark matcha dough, and another wrapped in nikki filled with matcha bean paste.

Both variations offer a rich matcha flavor and rustic sweetness that complement each other perfectly!

Matcha Cornetta is a crepe-style baked pastry, crafted to preserve the color and aroma of Kyoto Uji matcha. The crispy, light texture is pleasant to the palate, and delivers the distinct bitterness of matcha. Available in individually wrapped packs of 10 or 16, it also makes the perfect souvenir or gift, sure to be appreciated by anyone who receives it!

Senju Senbei was conceived from the novel idea of sandwiching cream between wavy, crispy wafers, an unheard of concept in Japanese confectioneries that quickly gained popularity. Originally featuring a sugar cream filling, the Hime Senju Senbei now boasts a rich and bitter matcha cream inside.

Crafted in bite-sized portions for easy eating, these crackers have become a hit with people of all ages and genders. Made with Uji matcha organically cultivated in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture, these cookies offer a subtly sweet flavor with a balanced touch of astringency.

Tsujiri Yaki Chocolate comes in two flavors: Baked Chocolate Matcha Milk and Hojicha Brown Sugar. Infused with the essence of Uji matcha and hojicha green tea from Tsujiri, a renowned specialty tea shop with over 160 years of history, these chocolates promise an addictive crunch and authentic tea taste.

Packaged in a cylindrical container resembling a tea canister, these baked chocolates maintain their shape even in hot weather, making them an ideal souvenir option for warmer days.

The inside of the crepe dough is generously filled with cream in one of five Japanese flavors: kinako, adzuki bean paste, matcha, yuzu, and black sesame, all complemented by their colorful appearance. These irresistibly crispy crepes have gained immense popularity especially amongst international visitors for their uniquely Japanese flavors. Individually wrapped, they also make ideal souvenirs to share with larger groups.

The Chayori series is a picture postcard series that can be directly mailed from the post office. Enclosed within the soft-textured Washi (Japanese paper) package are two tea bags containing tea leaves cultivated in Kyoto's Uji-Tawara tea garden, which boasts a history of more than 170 years.

It’s the perfect gift for those moments when you want to send something more than just a letter. International visitors also love the Japanese motifs, featuring daruma dolls and torii gates!

Shogoin Yatsuhashi has been producing fresh yatsuhashi for more than 300 years. Their most popular product is the Hijiri Saika, made from carefully-selected plump azuki beans from Hokkaido and slowly-cooked, mildly-sweet tsubuan (sweet been paste), wrapped in two types of nama-yatsuhashi: nikki and matcha.

With packaging that varies according to season, this souvenir’s packaging adds a special touch, and a sweet introduction to the flavors of Japan!

Tsujiri no Sato is the top-selling product at Gion Tsujiri, an Uji matcha specialty shop. This matcha confectionery consists of dense, stone-ground matcha cream wrapped in a thin, baked rice cracker roll.

The light, crispy texture of the dough perfectly complements the matcha cream, leaving a lingering taste of rich matcha the moment the dough unfolds in your mouth.

This treat allows you to enjoy the taste of premium matcha tea at an affordable price, making it a popular and convenient Kyoto souvenir.

They are also individually wrapped, which is another plus!

For this treat, a thinly cut baguette undergoes a slow, gentle baking process, resulting in rusks that are then generously coated with Uji matcha chocolate from the long-standing Uji matcha shop, Tsujiri.

Crafted with Tsujiri's authentic Uji matcha tea, this rusk allows you to fully immerse yourself in the delectable flavor of matcha tea. A classic Tsujiri product, it is a beloved treat that appeals to individuals of all ages and genders.

This Mille-feuille Chocolate features rich matcha cream sandwiched between layers of pie, coated in milk chocolate.

The addition of European mascarpone cheese adds an espresso-like essence to the Uji matcha, appealing especially to foreign visitors who may be unaccustomed to Japanese sweets and matcha tea.

The harmonious blend of crispy pie and profound tea flavor offers a unique tasting experience that's bound to captivate consumers' palates!

Crafted from Uji matcha, this indulgent matcha cheesecake is topped with a velvety cheesecake layer made from Hokkaido cream cheese. The fusion of these two cheesecake textures brings together the best of Japanese and Western culinary delights, promising pure satisfaction for fans of green tea and cheesecake alike. On top of that, its room temperature stability makes for a great added bonus!

Kyo-Hansei Kirei-dokoro is a charming assortment of Kyoto wagashi that encapsulates the essence of Japan’s seasons and traditional flavors.

With fifteen different kinds of colorful confections, including manju, mochi, monaka, yokan, and jelly, each bite-sized treat offers a unique tasting experience. This assortment is particularly favored by international visitors, allowing them to sample a diverse array of Japanese sweets in one convenient box!

These dumplings are exclusively crafted with matcha from a renowned Uji matcha specialty tea shop with 240 years of history. The soft matcha dumplings are generously coated with a dusting of matcha powder, and filled with a moderately sweet red bean paste that brings out the matcha flavor.

Convenient and easy to eat, these dumplings make the perfect souvenir! In addition to the 10-skewer package seen in the photo, there's also an 18-pack available for 1,000 yen.

These langue-du-chat cookie sandwiches from Tsujiri, the well-established Uji matcha tea shop, offer an amazing green tea experience, featuring rich matcha whipped with a tea whisk, and delightfully airy chocolate.

Tsujiri’s langue-du-chat cookies are a definite must-try, and are available in 10-packs (as pictured in photo), as well as 16-packs (2,220 yen), both of which make excellent souvenir options to bring back home.

Here's a Kyoto-exclusive variant of Black Thunder, a popular snack made from plain biscuits, cocoa cookies, and chocolate, and loved for its delightful crunch.

This version skillfully blends Uji matcha and sencha powder, without using any matcha flavoring, to fully capture the delicious taste of Uji green tea, all while preserving Black Thunder's signature crunchiness.

The result is a unique balance that mellows out the distinct bitter taste of matcha, making it well-received by international consumers for its easy-to-enjoy flavor.

In addition to the 12-pack seen in the photo, it is also available in packs of 20 (1,110 yen).

It’s the perfect souvenir to share with a big group of friends!

Crafted with aromatic Uji matcha green tea and soy milk from Kyoto, this baumkuchen is baked in layers for a moist and airy texture.

The bright color of the Uji matcha and sencha blend, paired with the gentle soybean flavor of the soy milk, imparts a distinct flavor to the spongy dough.

It’s a treat you can enjoy on any occasion, be it during breaks while sightseeing around Kyoto, or as a tasty souvenir, making it a favorite choice amongst international tourists.

This treat features Uji matcha-infused dough and mascarpone cheese chocolate sandwiched between two langue-du-chat cookies. Once the crisp cookie touches your palate, the chocolate melts away, releasing the delightful aromas of matcha and cheese with every bite.

You can also enjoy it chilled for an even crispier texture! Available in packs of 18, it makes an excellent souvenir choice for sharing with friends and family.

This particular langue-du-chat is crafted by infusing Itoh Kyuemon's signature high-grade matcha into the dough, and baking it into a thin, light, and crispy texture.

As the chocolate dissolves into the delectable dough, the delicious scent of matcha fills the air. This carefully selected matcha is also light on the bitterness, making it a good choice for those who are new to matcha.

Available in sizable packages of 30, it’s also the perfect souvenir for those planning to share with a large group of family and friends!

This two-tone financier commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Kyoto-Paris Covenant, symbolizing their sister city relationship. Infused with the richness of butter and the deep flavors of matcha, this confection is crafted with the finesse of a master baker.

This financier, a remarkable collaboration between Kyoto and Paris, makes a well-appreciated souvenir thanks to its familiar flavor and texture, even amongst foreign individuals.

Our top-ranking treat is the Kujo Green Onion and Shrimp Okogehan, a rice cracker made from Uruchi-mai (Japanese white rice) and Kyoto's local produce: Kujo green onions, shrimp, and aosa seaweed. This cracker boasts a savory blend of flavors, coupled with the delightful crunch of Kujo onions, shrimps, and seaweed, presenting a rich representation of Japan's diverse culinary offerings. Its distinct crispy texture and charming maiko-themed packaging have made it immensely popular with tourists, both local and international. In addition to the 10-pack seen in the photo, it also comes in a more affordable and convenient 5-pack for only 500 yen.


Kyoto boasts an array of souvenirs that truly embody the essence of Japan. From traditional Japanese sweets to Western-style confections with a Kyoto twist, this city boasts a unique selection of exclusive goodies that you’ll only find in this city!

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the seemingly endless souvenir options, consider the popular products introduced here! Each confectionery is a treasure worth tasting, and no matter who you’re shopping for, these treats are not to be overlooked!

Text by: Efeel, Inc.
Information in article as of October 2023. Please see official websites for the latest updates and information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki