Kyoto’s must-visit matcha sundae spots – magical pairings with mochi balls and matcha agar!

Text and photos byKavanah

When it comes to Kyoto’s matcha sundaes, “Tsuruya Rokujuen” is probably the first name that comes to mind. But actually, Kyoto has many other renowned matcha dessert shops that rival Tsuruya Rokujuen, and today’s featured spot, “ぎをん 小森” (Gion Kosuke / yG Garden Kosuke), is one of them!

Back in 2013 during cherry blossom season, I visited yG Garden Shirakawa and was drawn to a shop with an impressively long queue near Inokashira Bridge. I rushed over to the entrance and found out it was a Japanese sweets shop called “ぎをん 小森.” The line was a clear sign that their desserts must be amazing — but the queue was just too long that day… so I decided to come back another time.

Honestly, my encounters with “ぎをん 小森” have been few and far between. On several later visits to yG Garden Shirakawa, I either had just eaten or the shop was closed, and I never got the chance to try it.

Then one summer afternoon in 2014, I decided to give it another shot, hoping to finally taste their matcha sundae. When we arrived at “ぎをん 小森,” we were honestly shocked — there was no one in line at the entrance at all. For a moment, we even wondered if they were closed that day. But then we saw the noren curtain hanging at the door and the menu displayed outside, confirming that the shop was indeed open.

After telling the staff how many people were in our party, we were led to a seat deeper inside the store. Only then did we realize how spacious and large the interior of “ぎをん 小森” actually is — with plenty of seating!

The Menu.

About ten minutes after ordering, our matcha bavarois parfait and warabi mochi parfait were served.

Sprinkled with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and drizzled with brown sugar syrup — that’s the warabi mochi parfait (1550円?).

The one sprinkled with matcha powder is the matcha bavarois parfait (1450円?).

Compared to the sundaes at Tsuruya Rokujuen, the ones at ぎをん 小森 have a stronger matcha flavor and aren’t as sweet (personally, I find Tsuruya Rokujuen way too sweet!). The included toppings — ice cream, mochi balls, and matcha agar — are all delicious and aromatic. For me, the matcha sundae at ぎをん 小森 tastes better than the one at Tsuruya Rokujuen!

ぎをん 小森
Business hours: Weekdays 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30), Sundays/Holidays 11:00–20:00 (last order 19:30)
Closed every Wednesday.
Access: Get off at Kyoto City Bus stop “Gion,” a 5-minute walk.

Kavanah @ Kyoto — Living Freely.