Shogetsu - One of the top traditional Namagashi in Japan
6 Namagashi of the day
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu is founded in 1916 and probably one of the top Namagashi in Japan. For starters, they are the recipient of consecutive years of Tabelog Award Silver (2017-2020) and Tabelog West Hyakumeiten Sweets Category (2017-2020). I believe this should garner some of your attention, the question is does it lives up to its reputation?
Paper Bag
Shogetsu
Comes with 2 namagashi fork
Shogetsu
I can’t read, probably some notice/information?
Shogetsu
Traditional and minimalist packaging but also thoughtful with providing the namagashi cutlery.
6 Namagashi of the day
Shogetsu
6 Namagashi of the day
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Shogetsu
Box of 6 Namagashi (¥2760)
As I can’t read Japanese or identify the namagashi individually, I will do an overall rating.
Disclaimer: This is our first actual experience in trying namagashi from a speciality shop. Although we tried wagashi (in general) many of times as a dessert part of a Japanese set meal, we don’t really want to count it as an experience that we can towards rating for an actual wagashi speciality shop. FYI, Shogetsu is definitely much better than those.
(Pardon the not optimum image quality, as it was taken under indoor low light at a Starbucks Reserve. But that Starbucks Reserve has a great view which is overlooking the Kamo River and Sanjo Bridge, similar to a scene in one of Detective Conan’s movie when they are in Kyoto.)
Now to the part that you guys are interested at, how is it?
Aesthetic: It is really a piece of art in a food form, albeit more on the traditional Japanese style. The elaborate shapes, the gradient of the colours, intricate details, all combined into the making of one beautiful namagashi.
Taste: Sweet, but it is meant to pair with koicha (thick matcha). So when the sweetness from the namagashi is matched with deep bitterness from the green tea, it creates a great combination and accentuation of the taste. Main ingredients used to make namagashi are the different types of bean paste, rice flour, and sugar.
Texture: Smooth and delicate, only the white ones are with a bit of chewy mochi bite to it.
Do correct me if I’m wrong, from our basic knowledge via googling and own interpretation, namagashi is:
Art and aesthetic form
Represents a meaning, be it tribute to/reference from:
Seasonal sights (ie. cherry blossom viewing)
Change of season (ie. living things are enduring the long winter, waiting patiently for spring)
Festivities/ceremonial/symbolic items (ie. praying cord tied to the shrine bell, Mount Fuji)
Historical events
Japanese poem
Food (ie. peach, pear, chestnut, persimmon)
It is quite an interesting subject especially when you research more on it, and understand why the usage of the elaborate shapes, colour, and details of each namagashi.
Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer 2: Just 2 points to take into consideration.
When we have the tasting session, the namagashi has been around 5 hours since we collected it. We initially wanted to eat it at Kinkakuji’s outdoor tea drinking area, but it was too crowded, so we only ate it after our visit to Kinkakuji.
Photos are more grainy due to low light and usage of higher ISO settings, the namagashi texture are really smooth and delicate.
The information of the namagashi in this box
Shogetsu
Shop Location
Shogetsu
How to purchase
Shogetsu is strictly by reservation only, if you can speak Japanese then no problem for you. Else, you will probably need to ask either your hotel concierge or a friend who can speak Japanese to help you with the order.
You probably need at least 1 working day in advance to pre-order, over the conversation they will ask you how many namagashi you want, which day and time you are coming over to get it. Logically thinking is to try to make it as freshly made for us. You will pay on the spot when you are collecting the namagashi.
Please be considerate if for whatever reasons you can’t make it, at least call and inform them as early as you could. Don’t make those more exclusive or top food places even harder for us non-locals.
Wallscroll
Shogetsu
Shop Interior
Shogetsu
Old school items on the reception table
Shogetsu
Display Window
Shogetsu
Shop Front
Shogetsu
Side Signboard
Shogetsu
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Address: 京都府 京都市北区 紫野上柳町 6
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday, close on Sunday/PH. Strictly by reservation only.
Payment Method: Cash
Phone: 075-491-2464 (+81-75-491-2464)
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260503/26001672/
(Last visited: November 2019)