- A Hands-On Journey into Traditional Mochi-Making
This experience takes you behind the scenes at Narumi Mochi Honten, where you will observe the traditional art of mochi-making firsthand. Step into the studio to see how mochi is crafted using time-honored techniques and machinery. Watch as artisans carefully create wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) one by one, showcasing the shop's commitment to quality and tradition. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to try mochitsuki yourself, using traditional tools to pound rice into fresh, soft mochi. Following your hands-on experience, enjoy the freshly made mochi in one of the shop’s recommended serving styles. Made with carefully selected ingredients, the mochi is bursting with the natural sweetness and aroma of rice, delivering a taste that can only be experienced when freshly prepared.
Mochi as Seasonal Ritual Food
Where Wishes Take Shape
For centuries, mochi has held a special place in Japanese life. More than a simple food, it has long been associated with prayers for good harvests, prosperity, and well-being, and was traditionally offered to the gods as part of seasonal observances and celebrations.
In earlier times, families and communities gathered to pound mochi themselves. As cities grew and lifestyles changed, this role was gradually taken on by specialist shops. In Kyoto, Narumi Mochi Honten has continued this tradition for generations and remains a beloved part of local life.
During the experience, guests tour the studio, learn about the history and production of mochi, and take part in a traditional mochi-pounding session. The shop is also home to Kyoto's oldest surviving mochi-pounding machine, reflecting how traditions evolve while remaining rooted in community life.
Freshly made mochi is then enjoyed in a seasonal style selected by the shop, offering a taste of the flavors, customs, and enduring hopes that have long accompanied this cherished food.
- Narumi Mochi Honten – A Legacy of Community
Established in 1875, Narumi Mochi Honten has been a cherished part of Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto City for nearly 150 years. Deeply tied to Kyoto’s festivals, annual events, and the daily lives of its residents, the shop has become an integral part of the community. Narumi Mochi Honten takes pride in using only the finest ingredients, including rice cultivated in the nutrient-rich soils of Kyushu, premium azuki beans, and pure groundwater from Kyoto. This dedication to quality and seasonality is reflected in their handmade wagashi and mochi, preserving the rich tradition of Japanese sweets for generations.
- Narumi Mochi Honten
- Rikiya Narumi
- A wagashi artisan at Narumi Mochi, a shop founded in 1875. In addition to crafting traditional sweets, he is also responsible for promoting the unique charm of Narumi Mochi Honten to a wider audience.
Access
15 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station
The marker shows the approximate area.
The exact address will be provided when your reservation is confirmed.
Experiences
- Reserve
Private Mochi Pounding at a Historic Kyoto Sweet Shop
20,000 JPY / personVisit Narumi Mochi Honten, a Kyoto confectioner established in 1875, to explore the place of mochi in seasonal celebrations, offerings, and community life. Tour the production area, see the traditional equipment, and learn how the shop continues its craft.
Then take up the kine and usu—the wooden mallet and mortar used for mochitsuki—and pound steamed rice under the artisans’ guidance. Finish by tasting freshly made mochi and wagashi prepared by the shop. Guests enjoy the wagashi but do not make it themselves.
