The Yamato-cha Daifuku specialty shop, GRANCHA, is conveniently located just inside the Higashimuki Arcade, near Kintetsu Nara Station.

Japanese tea traces its roots back to the Yamato-cha variety, which is produced in Nara, the birthplace of Japan's tea culture.

Yamato-cha Daifuku is a Nara green tea and soft rice cake delicacy stuffed with sweetened bean jam. The lingering, subtly sweet flavor and distinctive aromas of Yamato-cha are unique features of this treat.

The shop's signature product, Yamato-cha Daifuku Kuchifuku Mochi, is a moist, soft four-layer mochi made with Yamato-cha cream, salted bean jam, Yamato-cha in the bean jam, and matcha powder. Kofuku Mochi comes in five levels of richness, ranging from 1 to 5, depending on the intensity of the matcha. The gradual shift in green color is truly eye-catching.

For those who love a bold matcha flavor, Level 5 is the top recommendation! And if you're curious, the 6th mochi is a hojicha (roasted green tea) mochi.

Kofuku Mochi and Yamato-cha set (900 yen, tax not included). You can also make your own matcha with the Kofuku Mochi Level 4 and hojicha (roasted green tea) set.

The subtle richness of the tea is perfectly complemented by the sweets, making this a favorite among foreign visitors experiencing matcha for the first time.

Another widely acclaimed item at this Nara café is the Kofuku Zensai, a Japanese sweet served in a bowl, made with sweetened azuki red beans and Kofuku Mochi added.

It looks like a miniature green mountain is the Yamato-cha shaved ice.

Nara is synonymous with shaved ice, and naturally shaved ice using Yamato-cha is served year-round. The Yamato Sencha Fluffy Milk Shaved Ice (1,000 yen, tax not included) is a milk-flavored shaved ice treat with four layers of Yamato-cha nectar, known for its refined sweetness. The green rice cake atop this mountain of ice is especially impressive.

This rice cake is the Level 4 Kofuku Mochi. Adding the homemade bean paste to the ice creates a uniquely different flavor. These shaved ice treats, made with delicious tea, offer a truly authentic Japanese taste experience.

Machiya Cafe Kanna is a charming Nara café housed in a more than 100-year-old merchant house in Naramachi. If you make your way to the back of the shop, you’ll find a traditional tatami room, offering a cozy, old-style atmosphere for a relaxing experience.

The interior of Machiya Cafe Kanna, decorated with Yamato miniatures, creates a very relaxing atmosphere.

The most popular item is the "Kanna Little Boxes" (1,350 yen, including tax), which consists of three boxes filled with an assortment of delightful sweets.

The "Kanna Little Boxes" are designed to cater to the wishes of many women who “want to eat just a little bit of several different things.”

Opening the lid to reveal the delightful assortment of sweets always brings a smile to the beholder. With about 15 different types of sweets filling the three boxes, it presents the delightful dilemma of deciding which one to eat first.

The Matcha Chocolate Fondue (1,100 yen, including tax) is another popular choice. It features a special matcha sauce made with Yamato tea, perfect for dipping an assortment of sweets, including matcha gateau chocolat, kuzumochi (arrowroot rice cake), cookies, and seasonal fruit.

If you have any leftover sauce, mixing it with warm milk creates a wonderful matcha latte. In spring, the café offers a strawberry fondue, while in winter, kuzumochi is served with amazake (sweet sake).

The most popular shaved ice is hand-crushed and made with milk and condensed milk. The Matcha + Koshian (smooth bean paste) and Strawberry Milk + Shiroan (white bean paste) varieties are served in matcha tea bowls, making them a must-try during the summer.

This Nara café and bar, located just south of Sarusawa Pond, opened in June 2018. The terrace offers a pleasant, open atmosphere, perfect for relaxing. The menu includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, along with the trendy sweets that are currently all the rage.

The Great Buddha sitting on a field of grass? This unique homemade matcha tiramisu, shaped like the Great Buddha, is a one-of-a-kind treat with only five servings made daily (1,000 yen, including tax, and comes with a drink).

Other menu highlights include the homemade Great Buddha brûlée, known for its smooth texture, and the homemade Great Buddha matcha pudding, made with rich matcha yokan (sweet bean jelly). Both are priced at 800 yen each, including tax, with drinks.

The homemade matcha tiramisu cake is soft, fluffy, and smooth on the palate, with two types of cheese used to create its rich flavor.

The Great Buddha cookie is also an original design, with each cookie having a slightly different expression when it comes out of the oven. All sweets on the menu come as part of a set with a drink. Crushed ice is used in the iced drinks, allowing you to enjoy the refreshing crunch down to the last bite.

When you visit Nara, be sure to explore the many shops offering unique Japanese and Western-style sweets. I’m certain you’ll discover delightful treats, just like those found at these charming Nara cafes!