Learn how to make Japanese cakes from Kyoto 京都の和菓子教室
Learn to make kyo-gashi
All the art of traditional Kyoto pastry can be found in the Kyo-gashi, carefully prepared by masters... Interested in participating in a lesson making your own and trying it? Here are a few places you can learn and understand the work of Kyo-gashi!
Traditional Japanese sweets from Kyoto
Kyo-gashi, what is it?
Kyoto's traditional pastry, kyô-gashi, has been around for 300 years. It developed in conjunction with the art of the tea ceremony.
Often made from white beans with the addition of natural dyes to give very delicate shades of color, the master pastry chef shapes his cake by hand like a work of art, then decorates it with a wooden spatula or a spoon. His dexterity is such that in a jiffy he makes magnificent flowers, fruits or autumn leaves appear before your eyes, almost too good to touch or eat...
The kyo-gashi always accompanies the sacred beverage during the tea ceremony, or can also be offered during a particular event.
- Read also: Wagashi, traditional Japanese pastries
Kyo-gashi works of art in all seasons
The most important thing in the art of kyo-gashi is to feel the seasonal expression.
For example, just before the arrival of spring, the kyo-gashi will take on the shape and color of cherry blossom petals that will soon bloom. You will be able to share the joy of the arrival of spring with your friends by inviting them to taste these cakes. Everyone will then be able to imagine the beauty of the flower, in front of their eyes, with its smell and even its taste.
- Read also: Hanami, the story of cherry blossoms
Because kyo-gashi is eaten with all the senses.
The view when you admire shapes and colors.
The touch to the preparation of the pastry.
Smell when you inhale the delicate scents of the ingredients.
The taste is important to finalize the whole process.
And even hearing will be put to use because each kyo-gashi has a different name, in connection with its master and the season in which it was made.
Spring Kyô-gashi, a blooming flower
Wikimedia Commons
Kyô-gashi summer fruit cake
Wikimedia Commons
The best places to learn how to prepare kyô-gashi
Kanshun-do
Two shops of this brand offer a kyô-gashi preparation workshop, in the Arashiyama district (next to Seiryô-ji) and Higashiyama (next to Toyokuni-jinja).
You can prepare four kinds of pastry there, two for tasting with matcha tea, and two to take away for 2,160 yen. The workshop lasts 75 minutes with reservation required at least 4 days in advance, from 2 people (child, over 6 years old), every day and three times a day are offered.
- Official website: kanshundo.co.jp
Yoshihiro-seika
Two kinds of pastry will be made by you after the demonstration of the master, and the tasting of the house specialties with matcha. You will take away your two pastries with two made by the master. For 1,950 yen for a 75 min workshop for a minimum of two people, you must reserve in advance. Three or four lessons are offered daily.
The shop is a 3 min walk from JR Nijo Station.
- Official website: yoshihiroseika.com
Kameya Yoshinaga
You will make three kinds of pastry, with the demonstration of the master and the tasting of the "works" of the master accompanied by tea. You will take away your cakes and will also be entitled to a 10% discount certificate for your purchases in the shop. An English translation is possible on request when booking. The 70 min workshop is 2,700 yen, and you can book a session every day except Sunday, starting at 2 pm.
The pastry shop is in front of the Shijo Horikawa bus stop.
- Official website: kameya-yoshinaga.com
