Mount Shigi Nara Traditiional Inn Sweets

奈良信貴山旅館のお茶と和菓子

Divine.

On a Golden Week trip to an inn atop Mount Shigi in rural Nara, we were served sweets and tea while waiting to check in.

The area of Shigi-san is east of Osaka City and in the southern part of Nara Prefecture.

The mountain is more than 400 meters (1200 feet) high and has many inns and a large temple complex.

The area is known for its hot springs, Shigisan Temple, and a great battle.

In 1577, the general Oda Nobunaga laid siege to Mount Shigi.

He defeated the castle there that was held by Matsunaga Hisahide. Following defeat, Matsunaga committed ritual suicide. His son, Kojiro, then jumped from the castle walls - his father's severed head in hand, and his own sword piercing his own throat.

With that in mind, we tucked into the exquisite sweets and then headed for the healing waters of the hot spring.

It would be a hell of a bike ride for even the very fit.


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Japanese Sweets

Japanese Sweets Gion

和菓子祇園

Though not perhaps technically "wagashi" - Japanese sweets - these small, beautiful hard candies are incredibly Japanese.

Basically sugar, food coloring, and a lot of skill went into creating them.

While riding through Gion, we stopped at Cafe Fugetsu and had lunch.

The cafe is housed in a old tea house, which is itself worth a visit.

After lunch, the waitress brought out green tea cheesecake with tofu-cream, and a side dish of small candies.

Up close, one can see that the colorful candies are intricately carved.

Access


From Minami-za Theater, walk or ride towards Yasaka Shrine on Shijo Dori. At Hanamikoji, turn right and head into the main area of Gion. At the fourth corner on the left, turn left (east). Cafe Fugetsu is on the right side of the street.

Tel: 075 561 5937



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Gion