Top 6 Souvenirs to Buy in Kyoto: Perfect Gifts for Cat Lovers & Classic Kyoto Souvenirs for 2025

Kyoto offers a variety of unique souvenirs perfect for preserving memories of your trip. From traditional Japanese designs to cute, Instagram-worthy items, there’s something for everyone. The classic Kyoto souvenir, Yatsuhashi, remains a favorite. This time, we’ve gathered a selection of cat-themed souvenirs that are sure to please any cat lover. These carefully selected items make great gifts for loved ones or a treat for yourself. Let’s take a look at these must-have Kyoto souvenirs!

Kyoto’s Classic Souvenir: Yatsuhashi

When you think of Kyoto souvenirs, ‘Yatsuhashi’ probably comes to mind! This time, I decided to try the ‘An-Nama Yatsuhashi.

The spring limited edition sakura Yatsuhashi is made with cinnamon and wrapped around sweet red bean paste, infused with the fragrance of cinnamon and cherry blossoms. It was delicious, with a soft, floral aroma. The pink color and petal-like shape are adorable. With 5 pieces for just 250 yen, it’s an affordable option that’s perfect both as a personal treat or a souvenir.

This time, I purchased from ‘Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi,’ a long-established Yatsuhashi shop in Kyoto. In addition to the sakura flavor, they offer a variety of other flavors such as cinnamon, matcha, strawberry, and chocolate. I recommend trying different types of Yatsuhashi! You can also sample them before deciding, which is a great way to find your favorite flavor.

For details about the store, please refer to the information here.

Popular with women♪ Cute candies

I purchased the ‘Bin Candy Temari Candy Assortment’ and ‘Petit Gift Cherry Blossom Viewing’ from ‘nanaco plus+.’ Both are incredibly cute in appearance, and I’ve heard that female customers especially love to buy them! Since they are handmade by artisans, they make the perfect souvenir from Kyoto!

The ‘Bin Candy Temari Candy Assortment’ was recommended by the staff! I got to sample it at the store, and the traveling cat tried the green candy. The green one had a melon flavor!

The sweet candies are perfect for a quick break! Their pop and cute appearance will lift your spirits even if you just leave them on your desk as decoration.

The ‘Petit Gift Cherry Blossom Viewing’ was recommended by the staff as being perfect for this season! It features a design with sakura, hanami dango, and sushi rolls, made from Kintaro candy.

Each flavor is different: the Hanami Dango has a milk flavor, the Sakura has a peach flavor, and the Nori Maki has an apple flavor. They all have just the right level of sweetness and are easy to enjoy!

This is a newly released product, and it seems to be very popular! If you happen to stop by nanaco plus+, be sure to pick one up!

Additionally, nanaco plus+ is famous not only for their edible candies but also for selling accessories made from real candy! These unique designs, made with actual candy, are exclusive to their store. If you give these as a souvenir along with edible candy, it will surely make a great gift. This time, I visited their Kyoto flagship store! They also have exclusive products, so be sure to stop by if you’re nearby.

For details about the store, please refer to the information here.

A Must-See for Cat Lovers! Cat-Themed Kyoto Souvenirs

I visited ‘Maiko’ in Gion, Kyoto, where they sell cute cat-themed souvenirs inspired by the same cat as the It’ ta de character. I had been interested in this shop since I saw it on Instagram, and I was so happy to finally visit! All of the sweets are made in their own confectionery workshop, with great attention to detail, and they were delicious! Now, let me introduce the four types of souvenirs I picked!

Kyo no Neko-san Cookie (Directly Managed Store Exclusive)

This cookie is exclusive to directly managed stores! I saw it on Instagram, and when I saw the actual product, I got really excited♪

A die-cut calico cat package (it was a Maikosan-exclusive package!) contained three Neko-san cookies!

The back view of the cats is so cute♪ There was a seasonal limited-edition sakura-patterned cat! It seems that the cat patterns change depending on the season, so be sure to check them out before eating. The striped cat was black sesame flavored, while the other cats were plain flavored!

I couldn’t take a photo this time, but I highly recommend taking the Neko-san cookies along for sightseeing in Kyoto! They make for great photos♪

Kyo no Kuroneko and Sensu Chocolat

A new textured chocolat cookie in the shape of a folding fan. The design features a vibrant Japanese motif with a black cat, making it look like a piece of art! After enjoying its appearance, be sure to savor the texture. The dough, kneaded with white chocolate, has a delicate, crumbly texture that you won’t find in other cookies♪

The packaging is also adorable, making it a perfect souvenir from Kyoto that’s sure to be appreciated. Of course, it’s also great as a treat for yourself, so why not buy one for souvenirs and another for yourself?♪

Pochi-Nyan

A single cookie inside Pochi-Nyan! It seems there are many other designs, but since it’s a popular item, only this design was available. There were only a few left, but I bought it because the back view of the cat was so cute♪ Inside was a calico cat cookie, just like the It’tade Neko!

It has the cute phrase ‘Arigatou Nya’ written on it, so it’s also recommended as a gift to express your gratitude♪

neconecone Calico (Three-colored Cat)

This is a box with four cat cookies inside! The packaging, featuring a super cute design of a calico cat, stands out and caught my attention, so I couldn’t resist picking it up♪

Unlike the Kyo no Neko-san cookies, these cats are facing forward. The black tabby cat is black sesame flavored, while the other cats are plain flavored♪ It’s perfect as a souvenir for cat lovers.

The souvenirs I’ve introduced so far were purchased at Maikosan, but the shop is scheduled to reopen in May 2025 after a renovation! The shop’s name will change to ‘Gion Marun,’ but it seems the address will remain the same, so be sure to stop by if you’re in the area♪

For details about the store, please refer to the information here.

If you’re unsure about Kyoto souvenirs, be sure to use this as a reference♪

Kyoto offers a wide variety of souvenirs, from traditional delicious treats to adorable items that will delight cat lovers. From the classic ‘Yatsuhashi’ to handmade candies and unique cat-themed cookies, each product is packed with the charm that is unique to Kyoto! Perfect not only as a gift for loved ones but also as a treat for yourself. When visiting Kyoto, be sure to check out these souvenirs and find a wonderful item that will help create lasting memories.