Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Kyoto Kameya Kiyonaga
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Kameya Kiyonaga

This 400-year-old sweet shop serves a delicacy some have described as "edible incense."

Kyoto, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
One of Kameya Kiyonaga’s signature treats.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A box of these fragrant sweets.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The signage inside Kameya Kiyonaga.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A tasty kankidan.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Kameya Kiyonaga.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  greggc80 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Kyoto is known for its abundance of centuries-old establishments, from traditional teahouses to confectioneries creating intricate wagashi. Kameya Kiyonaga in the geisha district of Gion stands out as the only shop in Japan that continues to produce its oldest sweet.

Originally established in 1617, Kameya Kiyonaga quickly came to be known as one of Kyoto’s best confectioneries. In 1857, it was decreed one of only 28 shops that were allowed to present sweets to the Emperor. While the shop today offers a wide variety of wagashi, Kameya Kiyonaga’s specialty remains a fried dumpling called seijō-kankidan, which is believed to be the oldest confection that was introduced to Japan.

Its history goes back to the Nara period, circa 710-794, during which the Emperor sent out envoys to Tang China to learn about and adopt hitherto unknown culture and technology from the continent. One of the many things introduced to Japan in this era was deep-fried foods, particularly pastry confections collectively referred to as kara-kudamono.

Seijō kankidan or danki, which means “ball of joy”—a translation of the Chinese huanxituan—may be the most notable example of karakudamono, but its origins can be traced back further beyond China. Originally, it was invented in India where it was, and still is, known as modak. Tradition has it that it’s a favorite treat of Ganesha and it’s commonly made during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival as an offering to the deity.

Introduced through the Silk Road trade, the tradition has survived in Japanese Buddhism. The sweet itself, however, is rather hard to find today. Given by the high priest of Mount Hiei and passed on for many generations, Kameya Kiyonaga’s recipe involves blending seven different kinds of incense into red bean paste, then wrapping it in rice flour batter and deep frying it in sesame oil. Dubbed by some as an “edible incense,” this rare treat offers a taste of centuries’ worth of history.

Related Tags

Tradition Sweets

Know Before You Go

Kameya Kiyonaga is located right across the street from Maruyama Park, near the West Tower Gate. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

greggc80

  • greggc80

Published

February 14, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Kameya Kiyonaga
Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Minamigawa, 534
Kyoto, 605-0074
Japan
35.003031, 135.776929
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Ichiriki

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Issen Yoshoku

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Ichiriki

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Issen Yoshoku

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Related Stories and Lists

Try Historical Food at These 52 Culinary Timewarps

List

By Diana Hubbell

Related Places

  • View of the full general store from the second floor.

    Chattanooga, Tennessee

    MoonPie General Store

    This beloved American snack was conceived by a hungry coal miner.

    Sponsored by Chattanooga Tourism
  • A bronze statue of Little Debbie.

    Collegedale, Tennessee

    Little Debbie Park

    This unique park is dedicated to a favorite locally born snack line.

    Sponsored by Chattanooga Tourism
  • The pedigreed pistachios here are from Bronte.

    Rome, Italy

    Gelateria dei Gracchi

    Since 1999, this gelateria founded by a string instrument maker has been turning out some of Rome’s best scoops.

  • Approaching the tree while driving on the main road.

    Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

    Remarkable Silk Cotton Tree

    A tree so massive it claims half the road, standing at the intersection of history and folklore.

  • In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.

    Bangkok, Thailand

    Kor Panich

    Visit a century-old sweet shop serving gold-standard mango sticky rice.

  • Tai Tung Bakery has been in the business since 1943.

    Hong Kong

    Tai Tung Bakery

    Order a crunchy sugar-topped treat from one of Hong Kong’s oldest pineapple bun bakers.

  • Krofi, an airy Slovenian doughnut, are one of the many treats for sale.

    Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Zvezda

    Since 1999, this bakery has been turning out the dreamiest tortes in the Slovenian capital.

  • Vienna, Austria

    Rauchfangkehrermuseum (Wieden District Museum)

    Celebrate the history of the lucky chimney sweep.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.