After spending time with the deer at Nara Park,
we headed to a traditional Japanese sweets shop
that I had wanted to visit for a long time:
Kashiya (樫舎).
The shop is located not far from Nara Park,
in a quiet area of Naramachi
lined with traditional Japanese townhouses.
Its simple white noren curtain
and beautifully restored machiya-style building
immediately caught our attention.
When we visited,
the shop was very popular
and there was a line outside.
A Highly Regarded Wagashi Shop in Nara
Kashiya is a well-known wagashi shop in Nara
and has been selected for
Tabelog's prestigious Hyakumeiten list.
The shop is also known for producing traditional sweets
connected with important Nara temples and shrines,
including Kasuga Taisha and Yakushiji.
Japanese singer-songwriter Masashi Sada
has also publicly spoken about his fondness for the shop.
Despite its reputation,
the atmosphere inside was relaxed and welcoming.
The traditional wooden interior
had the warmth of an old Japanese townhouse,
and the staff were very kind.
Both
eat-in and takeaway
were available during our visit.
The Popular Wagashi Course Was Not Available During Our Visit
One of the special experiences at Kashiya
is its
seasonal wagashi tasting course.
Unfortunately,
the owner was away in Tokyo
for an event at Takashimaya
when we visited,
so the wagashi course was not being served that day.
It was a little disappointing,
but we had come all this way,
so we decided to buy some sweets
to take away instead.
Beautiful Cherry Blossom Nerikiri
We chose this
seasonal cherry blossom-colored nerikiri.
Placed on a black lacquer-style plate,
it looked almost like a small piece of art.
The shape was so delicate
and beautifully detailed
that it almost felt too pretty to eat.
The flavor was equally refined.
Some people may think of nerikiri
as being very sweet,
but this one had
a gentle and elegant sweetness.
It was so light
that I felt I could easily have eaten another.
Enjoying it together with matcha
was pure happiness.
Traditional Japanese Sweets Make Beautiful Souvenirs
The shop also displayed
colorful higashi,
traditional dry Japanese sweets.
They were adorable
and would make lovely souvenirs.
The cherry blossom designs
were especially popular
and were already running low
when we visited.
Some of the sweets featured
delicate designs of
cherry blossoms,
birds,
and flowers.
Each piece was individually wrapped,
which also makes them convenient as gifts.
They would be a beautiful choice
for someone special,
or simply
a souvenir for yourself.
Even just looking at the designs
was relaxing.
How to Visit Kashiya from Nara Park
A nice way to visit Kashiya
is to stop by after exploring
Nara Park,
Todaiji Temple,
or Kasuga Taisha.
From the park,
you can walk toward
Naramachi,
the historic district of Nara.
Kashiya is located
along one of the quiet streets in this area.
After a day of sightseeing,
taking a break with
traditional Japanese sweets and matcha
is a lovely way to finish your time in Nara.
Man-Okashi Atsuraedokoro Kashiya (萬御菓子誂處 樫舎)
Address: 22-3 Chuin-cho, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Phone: 0742-22-8899
Instagram:
@kasiya_nara
Hours listed at the time of our visit:
9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Cafe: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last order)
Wagashi course: Reservation required, from 11:00 a.m.
※Opening hours, cafe service and wagashi course availability may change. Please check the latest information before visiting.
Combine Kashiya with a Visit to Nara Park
Before visiting Kashiya,
we spent the day exploring Nara Park,
feeding the deer,
visiting Todaiji Temple
and enjoying traditional tea houses.
Read our Nara Park guide with deer feeding and sightseeing tips
Where We Stayed for Our Nara Trip
We stayed at
Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station.
Its location next to Shin-Osaka Station
made it easy to take a day trip to Nara.
▶ Check Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka rates and availability on Ikyu.com
