2025.01.21
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is delighted to present a limited-time “Japanese Afternoon Tea” in collaboration with Tsuruya Yoshinobu, a venerable Kyoto confectioner with over 220 years of history and a flagship store in Nishijin, Kyoto. This exclusive collaboration is available from March 1, 2025.
Enjoy seasonal namagashi (fresh Japanese sweets) that showcase the refined craftsmanship and traditional flavors of Tsuruya Yoshinobu, meticulously prepared with breathtaking skill. We are also offering several varieties of their signature anko (sweet bean paste) and monaka wafers, which have until now been kept exclusively within the company. A selection of sweets and savory items has been created, rooted in their founding principle of "Creating Only What is Truly Excellent." Tsuruya Yoshinobu’s time-honored traditions have been reimagined with a modern approach, resulting in a unique culinary experience that can only be enjoyed at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO.
This is our first-ever afternoon tea themed around wa (meaning both Japan and harmony), you can enjoy namagashi delicately crafted by the artisans of Tsuruya Yoshinobu, as well as seasonal treats such as sakura-mochi (cherry blossom rice cake) or kashiwa-mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cake), depending on the season.
The menu also features freshly baked an-butter madeleines, made with Tsuruya Yoshinobu’s signature tsubu-an chunky sweet bean paste, as well as Kyo-Kanzei Chocolate, a chocolate confection inspired by their famous Kyo-Kanzei sweet, which combines anko and chocolate.
Additionally, savor savory delights such as crispy monaka wafers filled with walnut miso, specially crafted to highlight their fragrant, toasty flavors. Enjoy a luxurious moment as you take in the beauty of our garden, transitioning from cherry blossoms to vibrant green foliage.
<March 1 – May 11, 2025 >
Time:12pm onwards / 2:30pm onwards (*2 sessions, each lasting 2 hours)
Price:JPY 8,800 (Includes free-flow drinks such as three original mocktails and over 20 varieties of TWG teas.)
Prices include tax and service charges.
Traditional Japanese Wagashi Sweet by Tsuruya Yoshinobu (2 Types):
"Namagashi" (Artisanal Seasonal Confectionery), "Sakura Mochi or Kashiwa Mochi" Varies with the season
Freshly Baked Madeleines:
An-Butter Madeleine (featuring Tsuruya Yoshinobu Chunky Red Bean Paste)
Sweets:
"Kyo-Kanzei Chocolate," "Pavlovawith Yuzu Mochi," "Macaron with Sencha and Sweet Red Bean Paste," "Verrine with Sweetened Beans," "Strawberry and Salted Vanilla Cake"
Savory Items:
"Walnut Miso Monaka," "Shrimp Kaniage (Fried with Rice Crackers)," "Inari Sushi," "Kintori Pork," and 3 other varieties
Handmade Dorayaki (Japanese Pancake Sandwich):
"Tsuruya Yoshinobu Tsubu-An," "Kyoto Strawberry Jam," "Vanilla Chantilly"
Menu items may change based on availability.
Founded in 1803 in the Nishijin district by its first-generation proprietor, Ihee Tsuruya, Tsuruya Yoshinobu is a historic Kyoto confectioner with over 220 years of tradition. Guided by their family motto, “Creating Only What is Truly Excellent,” they preserve traditional craftsmanship while incorporating modern sensibilities to develop innovative Japanese sweets and café offerings. Through various collaborative projects, they continue to expand the reach of Kyoto’s historic confectionery culture, constantly seeking new possibilities and values for traditional wagashi sweets.
For reservations and inquiries,
please contact: +81 75 468 3100 (Hotel Reception) or email.