This is a series on stylish gifts chosen by Kyoto's finest. Our third guest is Mutsuko Sakurada of Sakurada, a renowned Michelin-starred Kyoto kaiseki restaurant. She currently works as the young proprietress, supporting her father, the owner, and her mother, the proprietress. Mutsuko has been training in the tea ceremony under the direct guidance of the 14th head of the Mushakoji Senke school. "Seven years ago, when I attended my first lesson, I was impressed by the beautiful and delicious early summer sweets they served me, Kyokado Riho's green plums. Kyokado Riho is an important shop to me, and it was the shop that inspired me to pursue the tea ceremony." Because Kyokado Riho's premium fresh sweets are made to order and don't keep well, she often buys their "Toto Utou" sweets as gifts. "Toto" is a confectionery consisting of Daitokuji natto bean paste sandwiched between two fuyaki rice crackers. It was named by Yurinsai, the 13th head of the Mushanokoji Senke school.
"Toto" refers to the sound of waves and is said to represent the sound of a boiling kettle. A plaque with the name "Toto" hangs in the Rikyu Hall of the Mushanokoji Senke Kankyuan. "The distinctive Daitokuji natto blends well with the moist bean paste, creating a lovely contrast with the firm fuyaki rice crackers. Not only are they simply cute and delicious, but the name and story behind their creation are typical of Kyoto sweets, making them especially popular with tea lovers."
"Kyokado Riho" is located about a 10-minute walk along the Kamo River from Sanjo Keihan Station. Located in Namba-cho, Nijo-dori Kawabata Higashi-iru, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. Business hours are from 9:00 to 18:00, closed Sundays, public holidays, and the third, fourth, and fifth Wednesdays of the month.