This yokan wagashi is section of river with swimming fish, floating green leaves and boulders that in addition to being tasty meant to have a cooling effect on the mind of the eater.

This confection is called Kibunegawa, after the Kibune River which is a stream in the North Mountains of Kyoto that flows down to the Kamo River. The village of Kibune is a very popular summer destination for a half day trip from Kyoto (city) to cool down. The temperature in the mountains, with shade cast by lush evergreen trees and cool, fast flowing streams, makes people feel very refreshed.

Kibunegawa Yokan with Fish, Leaves and Boulders

Of course people can not go up to Kibune to cool down every time they work up a sweat, but Kyoto people still want something in their everyday lifestyle to make them feel cool and refreshed, even if it is more psychological rather than physical.

Changing interior decorations in their house is one way to feel cool. For example, the zabuton cushion cover and noren curtain color are changed to blue or white in the summer. The fabric will change from soft, fuzzy cotton in the winter to hard, stiff ‘asa’ linen. People use more glassware for meals to produce cool atmosphere. People also put out furin wind chimes under their eves to hear cool sound. There are countless things what Japanese try to feel cool in brain.

Food is another very important way to feel cool and sweets and confections are not excluded. This Kibunegawa summer yokan plays on the Japanese senses to help people feel cool.

The transparency suggests cool and refreshing water. The green maple leaves and ayu sweetfish recall the season, but in a verdant and fresh atmosphere. The visual motif of swimming is particularly strong. Don’t you feel cool from looking at fish swimming in the water?

This is Kyoto people’s way of enjoying hot summer. You can not enjoy this to the most if you are in air conditioned cool room. If you understand what I am saying, maybe you got Japanese sense of seasons.

Kibunegawa Yokan with Fish, Leaves and Boulders

Kibunegawa Yokan Cross Section

In Gion, on the way to Kiyomizu Temple is a tiny shinise shop that specializes in dorayaki, called mikasa in Kyoto dialect. Dorayaki is sweet bean paste sandwiched between two waffle-like pancakes. Doraemon fans will want to take note of this because Doraemon loves dorayaki, it is his favorite food!

Paku Says: Best Mikasa in Japan, Do Not Miss!
Shimogawara Azuki (also spelled Aduki) is famous for their mikasa, also known as dorayaki in other regions of Japan. Their sweets are really famous with locals. I used to stop by very often to buy one of their mikasa for a snack when I used to live near there. You can buy Shimogawara Azuki’s mikasa at department stores in Kyoto too, but the mikasa from the original store is different and really fresh! Fresh, puffy and even warm if you get there at the right time!

Shimogawara Azuki’s Mikasa

The waffle is soft and fluffy and the anko (azuki bean paste) is not too sweet, so you can still taste of the original flavor of the azuki beans. (Azuki in Japan is often overly sweet, sometimes extremely sweet.)

The mikasa are just 160 yen each and I think that this store offers the best mikasa in all of Japan. If you are in the neighborhood, I recommend that you try this shop for a traditional Kyoto snack. You can get a few to take out and eat them on the way up to Kiyomizu Temple.

Inside the store is a tiny seating area and you can try sit down and eat their other sweets; like maccha ice cream with mochi and azuki beans, anmitsu and zenzai. In the summer they have kakigori which is very good and refreshing. (For more about kakigori in Gion, please see this article.)

xox, Paku

Shimogawara Azuki’s Famous Dorayaki (Mikasa)

Shimogawara Azuki’s Famous Dorayaki – detail
This one has a white azuki bean filling.

Show Window: Shimogawara Azuki’s Famous Complete Dorayaki Lineup

Showcase: Zenzai and Anmitsu

Showcase: Extra Large Mikasa

This is a fine example of Japan’s plastic display case food. This magnum sized mikasa has both white and red azuki bean paste filling.

Teppan Metal Grill for Cooking the ‘Pancakes’

Kitchen Staff Filling Mikasa with Azuki Bean Paste

Shimogawara Azuki Storefront

Shimogawara Azuki Show Window

English and Access

English menu: none
English website: none
Service/Staff: so-so (go for the dorayaki, not the conversation)
Hours: 9am-6pm, closed Wednesdays
Location and Access: Shimogawara Azuki is best accessed on foot. It is located just down the street from the south gate of Yasaka Shrine on Shimogawara Street. From Shijo-Higashiyama intersection and Yasaka Shrine it is about a three minute walk.
Address
: Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Gion, Kamibenten-cho 428 (京都市東山区祇園下河原通八坂鳥居前下ル上弁天町428)
Telephone: 075-561-3977

Near sightseeing Spot: Shimogawara Azuki is located in the heart of scenic Gion/Higashiyama near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu Temple and other historic places such as Yasaka Pagoda and Kodaiji Temple.