Do you know what is the most famous meibutsu (名物, regional product) of Kyoto? It is the Yatsuhashi (八ツ橋 ). Named after a famous koto player and composer called Kengyo Yatsuhashi, the original yatsuhashi was a koto-shaped baked confectionary made of pounded rice and cinnamon.



More commonly found nowadays is the nama yatsuhashi, also known as the Hijiri. These began to be sold around the 1960s. It is made of rice flour kneaded with hot water, then flavored with sugar and cinnamon. This is then filled with a red bean based filling and folded into a triangular shape.



One of the most famous brands for yatsuhashi is the Yuuko Yatsuhashi (ゆうこ八ツ橋 ). You can find it almost in any train stations and department stores, and at an affordable price of ~900 yen, it makes a practical souvenirs to bring back to your friends and family.



For a more traditional taste, I would suggest getting the cinnamon and matcha Yatsuhashi. They are best enjoyed with a cup of warm green tea.