Toraya Ichijo 京都一条店
Much more than a pastry
In the immediate vicinity of Kyoto's former Imperial Palace, the Toraya house, one of the most prestigious pastry shops in the archipelago, has been offering delicate swagashi in its tea room and shop on Ichijo Street since 1628.
A historic brand
Founded at the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573) in Kyoto, the Toraya house has served the Imperial House since the reign of Emperor Go-Yōzei (1586-1611). Established in the United States and France since 1980 , it is one of the oldest pastries in Japan. His shop on Ichijo Street is four hundred years old. Historical sources attest to the existence of a Toraya store in this same location since 1628 ! Although the company's headquarters moved to Tokyo at the very beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912), following the transfer of the capital, Toraya pastry has its roots in the former imperial capital.
Under the name of Toraya Ichijo , we actually find a set made up of three places dedicated to Japanese pastry: the shop opposite the former imperial residence , the Toraya Karyo Ichijo tea room a short walk away in Ichijo street and its adjoining art gallery.
A tea in all serenity
If you visit the old palace, we advise you to go to the shop or the tea room. Both never cease to awaken your five senses! The current configuration in three places is the work of the architect Hiroshi Naitô . In 2009, this enthusiast of wood renovated the shop and set up the tea room and its art gallery. Faithful to its precepts, Naitô places wood at the heart of the project for a refined aesthetic in total harmony with the intense sensory experience offered by Japanese pastries. In the shop windows, the wagashi are like jewels or works of art in a museum .
Beyond the gustatory pleasure, the tea room offers an extraordinary serenity . Under the high curved ceiling of the tea room, the elegant interior revolves around a traditional garden . In this contemporary architecture in perfect resonance with the classic aesthetics of exteriors, the gaze is caught by the luminous garden. Do not hesitate to offer yourself a little timeless pleasure and to consult one of the 600 books on Japanese culture made available . Traditional art exhibitions and lectures are held from time to time in the adjacent Toraya Art Gallery. Each year, she participates in the international photography festival, Kyotographie .
Sweets in all seasons
But what should you taste in these places? The Toraya house keeps its promise perfectly; that of pleasantly stimulating your five senses. The menu is renewed frequently following the rhythm of the seasons . These seasonal sweets are to be enjoyed with an excellent matcha tea , as sparkling as one could wish, whose bitterness blends perfectly with the subtle flavors of Japanese pastries. The kuzu jitate mizu yokan (jellied confectionery with red bean and arrowroot roots from the Yoshino Valley) are the specialty of the Kyoto brand. During the summer period, opt for a delicious kakigori ice cream . Nothing like cooling off!
Address, timetable & access
Address
Phone
Boutique : +81-75-431-4736 Salon de thé : +81-75-441-3111Timetable
Imadegawa Station (Exit 6, Karasuma Line)Access
Boutique: weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tea room: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Website
https://global.toraya-group.co.jp/pages/kyoto-ichijo-shop