Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is also called the birth place of Japanese culture, with a history spanning 1,200 years. Today, we’re going to take a look at a number of upcoming events and seasonal items on sale in Kyoto for autumn 2020.

Celebrating 300 years of Tango Chirimen

This year marks 300 years since Tango Chirimen was established, a company located in Tango in northern Kyoto that specialises in a Japanese textile of flat woven silk known as ‘chirimen.’ There are many local chirimen brands around Japan, but it is the chirimen from Tango that has stood above the rest these past 300 years. The brand is now looking to the start of a new era for itself during its triple century milestone.

LIFE WITH THE QUALITY

Tango Chirimen is currently displaying a collaborative art exhibit at NEWoMan Shinjuku in Tokyo. This includes the entry display made in collaboration with Japanese artist Saki Tanaka, wall art made from woven fabrics, and more.

Running: Until September 30, 2020

Location: NEWoMan Shinjuku

Lineup: Display in collaboration with Saki Tanaka, wall art, and more

United Arrows x Tango Chirimen

United Arrows is also collaborating with the brand and incorporating their logo mark “TANGO OPEN” on a new men’s t-shirt.

Product Name: BY Tango Broad Wide Form Tapered Shirt
Buy Here: https://store.united-arrows.co.jp/shop/by/goods.html?gid=52838245
Sold at: BEAUTY & YOUTH UNITED ARROWS stores and their official online store

Taste tea from Uji on Japanese Tea Day

It is generally considered that the first tea of the season in Japan is best enjoyed from the end of April and during May, but in fact Japanese tea is the perfect season to enjoy Japanese tea, specially since the country celebrates Japanese Tea Day (Nihoncha no Hi) on October 1 and 31.

Ujicha, or tea from Uji in Kyoto, boasts some of the most famous kinds of teas in Japan. This includes matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, all of which were first grown in southern Kyoto. Because of this, it is said that Ujicha marks the origins of Japanese tea. So when you visit Japan during autumn, why not celebrate Japanese Tea Day with some authentic tea from Uji?

Ujicha Tea Murie Online Course

The Ujicha Tea Murie Course has been held since 2015 in Kyoto, and this year, the course is heading online for the first time as a result of the pandemic. Learn how to make and serve Uji tea from a professional tea instructor as well as its history and more.

Running: Session 1: September 15, 2020 / Session 2: October 2, 2020 / Session 3: October 17, 2020

Book: Online
Requirements: Download and install Zoom
Official Website: https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/yamashiro/ocha/

Certified Ujicha tea cafes for an authentic experience

Tsujiri Rihei Ginza | Tsujiri Rihei Senju

Nakamura Tokichi Ginza

Tsujiri Rihei Ginza, Tsujiri Rihei Senju, and Nakamura Tokichi Ginza are all cafes in Tokyo that are officially recognised for serving authentic Ujicha tea which also includes proper preparation as well as teaching the history and culture behind the tea. These three cafes are also holding an Ujicha tea stamp rally as well as a Twitter hashtag campaign.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama is a new hotel which opened on July 1 this year. Easily spotted by its pink exterior, the hotel offers Grand Nikko’s brand concept of guests releasing all of their sense to enjoy a relaxing and sophisticated time while providing a refreshing resort-like experience.

This Halloween, the hotel’s all-dining restaurant Le Jardin will serve up its “Happy Halloween Sweets Buffet” from October 10 to 16.

There will be 20 different desserts to pick from all in pastel colours, offering a different kind of Halloween vibe. Desserts are decorated with cute Halloween motifs like Jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, and pumpkins. The chefs will also be certain desserts in front of guests like pumpkin mont blanc, praline mille-fuille, and pavlova.

There will also be a savoury menu too like roast beef in onion sauce, seafood acqua pazza, bread, salad, soups, and more, as well as soft drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails.

The restaurant will be restricting the number of people allowed in the dining area at once to protect diners during the pandemic.

Ginza Cozy Corner has revealed its new Disney princess cake based on the 2010 animated film Tangled which will be available to order at all branches in Japan from October 1, 2020.

Tangled Dress Cake | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

The cake is centred on the golden-lock beauty Rapunzel, with her dress as the foundation for the cake. The cake is made with cream chess, strawberry jam, and blueberries, while Rapunzel’s iconic hair is lemon flavoured.

Decorate the cake yourself

The cake comes with the parts for you to decorate yourself. This adds a whole new level of fun to parties!

Exclusive Rapunzel design box

This cake was actually sold earlier this year during the Hinamatsuri festival in Japan, with all 1,000 cakes being sold out. It is now returning on October 1 and is made-to-order only.

MICASADECO&CAFE KYOTO had to shorten its menu due to the effects of COVID-19. Their legendary parfait too was taken off the list, but now has finally returned, and even more delicious looking than ever.

MICASADECO&CAFE KYOTO has tried to make the parfait as breathtaking as possible, and they’ve certainly captured that. It’s vivid like the furisode long-sleeved kimono worn by the maiko of Kyoto, beautiful and dignified.

Uji Matcha Pudding & Raspberry Parfait | ¥1,250 (Tax Included)

This towering parfait is made up of many layers, one of which is a homemade Japanese-style pudding made with high quality matcha from Uji, Kyoto. It has a subtly sweet and deep flavour, and is taken to the next level with the matcha sauce it’s served with.

The homemade raspberry jam brings a delightful sweetness too as well as adds that eye-catching aspect they’re going for. As you spoon your way through, your taste buds are treated to an amalgamation of indulging flavours.

The lid that’s sat on top of the parfait is actually a tuile biscuit. The best way to go about beginning your feast is to break the biscuit and then pour the matcha sauce inside.

Hidden within the parfait are also pieces of homemade matcha brownies made with lots of top grade matcha.

These parfaits will be served from September 14 but are limited in stock, so if you’re in Kyoto this month, make sure you don’t miss out.

Tokyu Food Show Edge and +Q Beauty inside Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Square mixed-use skyscraper are now serving a succulent selection of autumn fruit desserts, incorporating autumn flavours like chestnuts, apples, and Japan’s famous Shine Muscat grapes.

Let’s take a look, and try not to drool too much on your keyboard.

MORI YOSHIDA PARIS

Mont Blanc | ¥918 (Tax Included)

A mont blanc with cream draped around like a helix. Inside you will find Crème Chantilly and chestnuts, while the base is baked in parcel.

apple & roses

Caramel Apple Rose Cake/Raspberry Rose Cake | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

These rich butter and almond rose cakes come in two flavours: caramel apple with apples specially selected from Nagano Prefecture, and raspberry, which add a sweet and sour kick.

Péché Mignon

Feuilletée (Box of Two) | ¥756 (Tax Included)

Feuilletée pies filled with a chestnut paste which add a delightful sweetness. The box contains two base flavours: chestnut and chestnut chocolate.

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Fresh Fruit Tablet Shine Muscat | ¥2,592 (Tax Included)

Whole specially selected Shine Muscat grapes wrapped in chocolate and shaped into a tablet bar. The chocolate is a rich 70% Piura Quemazon from Pacari Chocolate which blends deliciously with the grape juice.

Atelier Anniversary

Whole Chestnut Pound Cakes (Set of 4) | ¥1,404 (Tax Included)

The dough is combined with chestnut paste and each mini pound cake contains a whole chestnut.

ANNA’S by Landtmann

Red Apple | ¥693 (Tax Included) *Eat-in price

This apple cake is filled with apple mousse, chocolate mousse, and chocolate sponge. The entire thing is coated in a red apple glaze, giving it a cute appearance.

Grand Front Osaka opened its new cafe PANCAKE&books bibliotheque on September 11, 2020, serving a wide variety of fresh pancakes made with high quality ingredients.

Special Fruit Genmai Guilt-Free Pancakes | ¥1,500

These pancakes are made using gluten-free brown rice flour which creates a delicious fragrance and delightfully chewy texture to the pancakes. The pancakes are made even more chewier thanks to the incorporation of silken tofu, an ingredient which is also said to be good for dieting and the intestinal tract. The pancakes are topped with nuts and dried fruits, making them a very nutritional option.

Strawberry & Marshmallow Brûlée | ¥1,300

A hybrid pancake of two different desserts. It’s loaded with fluffy caramelised custard sauce to create a brûlée-like appearance and texture and is topped with sliced strawberries and roasted marshmallows. The caramel sauce drizzled on top adds a sweet and slightly bitter edge, bringing everything together.

Whole Peach & Fromage Blanc Cream Pancake | ¥1,500

Served with a whole juicy peach, these pancakes are combined with refreshing fromage blanc. The peach adds an ambrosial sweetness that melts perfectly with the fluffy pancakes. Complete the pancakes with a drizzle of the accompanying mint anglaise sauce.

Kyoho Grape, Blackcurrant, & Mascarpone Cream Pancakes | ¥1,700

A special combination of seasonal fruits including Kyoho grapes and blackcurrants. The mascarpone cream adds sweetness and the blackcurrant sauce a sour kick. If you’re wanting to taste autumn, then this one’s for you.

Mont Blanc & Praline Cream Pancakes in Caramel Sauce | ¥1,400

These pancakes make you feel summer changing to autumn with its fat dollops of rum-infused chestnut cream and praline cream. The chestnut cream brings a rich sweetness to your taste buds and the caramel sauce an appetising bitterness.

Pancake Burger | ¥1,300

bibliotheque’s incredible pancakes have also turned into hamburgers stuffed with a hand-rolled patty, melted cheddar cheese, sunny-side up egg, tomato, and lettuce.

Eggs Benedict Pancakes | ¥1,500

Pancakes towered with bacon, tomato, salad, and poached egg. The runny egg is a match made in heaven when combined with the homemade hollandaise sauce.

Salmon & Ricotta Cheese Pancakes | ¥1,500

Salad pancakes of smoked salmon, ricotta cheese, and poached egg. They are finished with rich Gruyère cheese.

Original Milkshake “Mixed Shake” | ¥700

A hybrid drink of authentic milkshake and Osaka’s speciality “Mixed Juice” beverage, this shake contains sakura tamago egg from Awaji Island and premium grade milk from Hamanaka in Hokkaido. It’s also made with vanilla cream and is topped with an apricot compote.

Conrad Tokyo has unveiled its upcoming Halloween and autumn inspired sweet and savoury buffet which will be sold at its Cerise restaurant from September 5, 2020.

Cerise’s Halloween dessert buffet is popular every year, delighting customers with its array of Halloween motif bites. The theme this year is “Witch’s Castle,” so the restaurant’s chefs have cast some spooky culinary magic to create a tasty lineup of sweet and savoury food fitting for the occasion and to put customers in the Halloween mood. This year, the chefs will also be holding the buffet’s first ever live station where they will prepare food in front of people too.

The dessert lineup includes velvet cupcakes inspired by a witch’s pointy hat, a black cat-topped purple pistachio cream cheesecake, a pistachio cream-loaded pavlova covered in bats, a rose and strawberry mousse, a blackcurrant ganache made with a skeletal white chocolate mousse, and other fun witch treats. There’s also a selection of general Halloween and autumn desserts too like chocolate tarts that look like coffins, pumpkin mont blanc, chocolate cream puffs with ghouls on them, raspberry jelly fromage blanc mousse, and more.

On the savoury side of things there’s raisin-topped quiche made with butternut squash, smoked salmon tarts with basil and tomato, egg sandwiches with chopped truffles, and more.

The chefs have whipped up a true Halloween feast to enjoy this autumn.

In commemoration of Miffy’s 65th anniversary, the themed Miffy Café will open on the first floor of Tokyo Solamachi from September 11, 2020 for a limited time. The café will also see a collaboration with Japanese illustrator Shogo Sekine

The cafe is being produced by LEGS COMPANY, LTD. and will feature a casual yet grown-up feminine design. The menu will serve a healthy lineup of Netherlands cuisine—in line with the heritage of Miffy’s Dutch creator Dick Bruna—and customers can get their hands on a selection of original Miffy merch.

Food

Terrine-Style Open Miffy Sandwich: ¥1,499

A cute open sandwich made to look like Miffy and served with a side of potato salad and avocado dip sauce, both of which go well with the salmon.

Stammpot Salad Plate: ¥1,499 | With Plate ¥2,499 *From September 19

Inspired by the traditional Dutch dish of stammpot, this plate is topped with sausages, salad, and a gravy sauce to mix.

Balloon Pannenkoek Pancakes: ¥1,599

Pannenkoek pancakes are a staple of the Dutch cuisine. These Miffy versions are topped with balloon-shaped mini tomatoes, eggs, and blueberries.

Desserts

Miffy & Giant Tree Mousse Cake: ¥1,299

Miffy is made from sponge cake and mousse, while the giant tree is a tower of cotton candy, granola, and assorted fruits.

Carrot Dessert Plate: ¥1,299 | With Plate ¥2,299 *From September 19

Served on a café-original plate, this dessert features a cream puff made to look like a carrot. It’s served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and an assortment of fruits.

Miffy Colourful Oat Milk Bowl: ¥1,299

A colourful serving made using fibre-loaded and low-calorie oat milk and a bunch of different fruits.

Drinks

Miffy’s Orange Float: ¥899

Made using orange and Grenadine syrup and topped with a Miffy lemon sherbet.

Takeout

Carrot Cream Puff: ¥899

The same cream puff made to look like a carrot is available as a separate takeout option.

Acrylic Key Rings (6 Designs): ¥650 Each / Acrylic Magnets (8 Designs): ¥600 Each (All Before Tax)

Plush Toys (Floral/Blue): ¥3,000 Each

The stylish original and exclusive merchandise was made in collaboration with popular Japanese illustrator Shogo Sekine.

Illustrations Dick Bruna © copyright Mercis bv, 1953-2020  www.miffy.com

Though autumn is not far off, the summertime heat of Japan has yet to let up, and so what better way to keep cool than treating oneself to a parfait? Here are 5 must-try parfaits that are popular in Kyoto, with photos and descriptions provided by Instagrammar Tiara who posts and reviews desserts around Japan’s Kansai region.

CAFE YAMANEKO / Ryōan-ji, Kyoto

Orange Parfait

CAFE YAMANEKO is located along Kinukake-no-michi, a road that connects the Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji, and Ninna-ji temples. Their Orange Parfait is made with a delicious jam that uses all of the orange right down to the peel, and is topped with a Japanese-style pudding, vanilla ice cream, and orange and caramel sauces.

▼CAFE YAMANEKO
Address: 39-6 Tōjiin Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Opening Hours: 11:00-17:30
Official Instagaram: https://www.instagram.com/kyoto_cafe_yamaneko/

CAFE attmos. / Shichijo

Ichijiku Parfait

CAFE attmos. serves super sweet desserts made with choice seasonal fruits. I ordered the ‘Ichijiku Parfait’ which is made with lots of figs harvested in Kyoto. It was really delicious.

▼CAFE attmos.
Address: ELLA490 1F, Shimoumacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafe_attmos/

Chocolat BEL AMER Kyoto Villa / Sanjo Sakaimachi

Peach & Chocolate Parfait

This kawaii parfait has a whole mix of ingredients from peach to white chocolate ice cream, sweet white bean paste mousse, crunchy meringue, and more♡ The meringue really adds something different to the parfait.

▼BEL AMER Kyoto Villa
Address: 66 Sanjodori Sakaimachi Higashi Iru Kitagawa Masuyacho, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00

Official site：https://www.belamer-kyoto.jp/

• Related Article: Chocolate-Piled Shaved Ice & Other Summer Season Delights at BEL AMER Kyoto Villa

La Klassique / Demachiyanagi

Cherry Glass Dessert

La KLASSIQUE is a cafe close to Shimogamo Shrine. Their “Cherry Glass Dessert” parfait is loaded with ingredients, including cherry sorbet, whipped cream, milk ice cream, fruity red wine sauce, cinnamon crumble, rosehip, blood orange, cherries, meringue, red bean paste, and more. The red wine sauce makes this one for the grown ups to enjoy.

▼La Klassique
Address: 13-9 Shimogamo Morimotocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laklassique/

These parfaits are available until the end of August and are limited to 15 servings per day. Visit the cafe’s official Instagram to find out about reservations.

For more recommendations on desserts to try around the Kansai region of Japan, follow Tiara over on Instagram.

Original Japanese Text & Photos: @happy_pinkrose_tiara

*The information about the items on this list are correct at the time of publishing. For the latest information, please visit each cafe’s official websites and social media pages.

McDonald’s Japan has announced the release of four limited-time drinks which will be sold at McCafé by Barista branches of McDonald’s from September 2. The line-up includes the ‘Houjicha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako,’ ‘Houjicha Frappe,’ Matcha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako,’ and ‘Matcha Frappe.’

The beverage lineup is the perfect pink for an autumn-time dessert drink, each made with authentic flavours from Japan.

Houjicha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako | Regular ¥490, Large ¥530 (Tax Included)

Made using 100% Japanese houjicha powder and delicious milk, this houjicha frappe is topped with soy flour, sweet brown sugar syrup from Okinawa, chewy rice flour dumplings, and a squirt of whipped cream. This is the ultimate McDonald’s Japanese dessert drink, laced with fragrant houjicha tea with a creamy texture.

Houjicha Frappe | Regular ¥450, Large ¥490 (Tax Included)

Houjicha frappe is used as the base for this one, and if inished with whipped cream and a dusting of houjicha powder. The subtly sweet houjicha and creaminess of the whipped cream is a deliciously perfect match.

Matcha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako | Regular ¥490, Large ¥530 (Tax Included)

Just like the houjicha variant, except this time it’s a latte made with matcha and matcha powder from Uji, Kyoto. A truly all-star Japanese dessert drink.

Matcha Frappe | Regular ¥450, Large ¥490 (Tax Included)

The matcha frappe too is sprinkled with matcha powder from Uji, combined with full-bodied milk, and topped with whipped cream.

McDonald’s Japan is celebrating Japan’s annual Tsukimi (moon-viewing) festival this autumn by releasing a Tsukimi-themed menu line-up of four burgers and McMuffins, two desserts, one side, and two drinks, on September 2, 2020.

The food lineup captures the Japanese custom of moon-viewing during autumn. McDonald’s Japan celebrates the festival every year, and this year is not only bringing back their signature “Tsukimi Burger” and “Cheese Tsukimi,” but the all-new scrambled-egg packed “Fuwatoro Tsukimi” burger and the “Tsukimi McMuffin” which was last seen back in 2017.

McDonald’s will also serve their first ever McFlurry® made using warabimochi, the McFlurry® Tsukimi, drizzled in brown sugar syrup. The Tsukimi Pie from last year is also back on the menu, filled with red bean paste and mochi. Customers can also order tempura flavoured fries, and to wash it all down, the McFizz® or McFloat® Kyoho Grape.

To promote the limited-time menu, McDonald’s Japan released a cute online commercial starring Ken Mitsuishi and Yukino Kishii who play a father and daughter respectively. Check it out below.

With just a small bit of ingenuity, turn everyday food into something cute using Kaori’s Easy Recipe! With a few simple ideas, an ordinary recipe magically transforms into a cute dish.

Today’s recipe will show you how to make a simple ice cream made with frozen strawberries and a blender.

Ingredients

500g frozen strawberries (either store bought or self-frozen)

120ml condensed milk

Sliced white chocolate to make Hello Kitty

1.

Defrost around 3/10 of the frozen strawberries until they are more soft than frozen, allowing them to be blended more easily.

2.

Throw the defrosted strawberries into a blender along with the condensed milk and blend.

3.

Place the blended mix into a ziplock bag and place into the freezer. After about an hour, massage the mix while it’s still inside the bag. Repeat this whole process 2-3 times. Doing this will make the ice cream tastier.

Once fully set, place into a serving cup of your choice, use sliced white chocolate to make your chocolate Hello Kitty, and serve!

Kaori invites you into her world of character-themed food dishes in her recipe series. Be sure to check out her Instagram where she has uploaded many pictures of her character dishes!