Kumano Kodo Sweets Guide: 10 Must-Try Desserts—Cream Puffs, Cakes, Shaved Ice & More
The Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route, is also a famed spiritual destination. Centered in Wakayama and spanning Osaka and the prefectures of Mie and Nara, these ancient paths let you feel Japan’s deep history at every step.
In this guide, we introduce must-try sweets along the Kumano Kodo— from a buzz-worthy cream-puff shop in Hongu to a charming cake shop near Kumano Nachi Taisha. We’ve handpicked dessert spots you’ll want to stop by on your visit.
You’ll also find access tips from the Kumano Sanzan—the three Grand Shrines of Kumano—and other sights along the routes, so use this as a handy reference when planning your Kumano Kodo trip.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Area: Must-Reserve Cream Puffs at choux
Just a short walk from Kumano Hongu Taisha—one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan) along the Kumano Kodo—choux, a cream-puff shop, opened in 2020.
Beyond its buzz-worthy cream puffs and drinks, the shop offers cakes and baked treats made with locally sourced seasonal fruit. Cream puffs are an affordable ¥350 each and are carefully handmade without artificial flavorings or additives.
After being featured on the popular TV show “Shiawase Bonbi Girl,” the shop has stayed busy with a steady stream of customers. It’s primarily a takeout spot, but there’s a terrace outside where you can sit and enjoy your cream puffs and drinks. Beverage options include coffee (¥350), red grape juice (¥350), and house-made ripe Nanko plum juice (¥400).
Reservations for the following month open around the 20th. We recommend booking in advance at the counter or by phone. Same-day sales are available, but due to the shop’s popularity, reservations are the surest way to get yours.
Limited-edition, seasonal cream puffs are also available—check the shop’s Instagram for the latest updates.
Address.
〒647-1731 1571-15 Hongu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access.
2 minutes drive from Kumano Hongu Taisha
6 minutes’ walk from “Ooyunohara”.
Tel
+81-735-30-0801
Opening hours
11:00-17:00
regular closing day
Tuesday – Thursday.
Official website
https://www.instagram.com/choux.kumano/
paradisecafe Onkawa: Wide Selection of Baked Goods Near the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum of Art
This café serves a wide range of baked goods—muffins, cookies, cakes, scones, and scone sandwiches. “paradisecafe Onkawa,” housed in a renovated former warehouse, is instantly recognizable by its charming red exterior. Enjoying sweets out in the surrounding nature makes them taste even better.
The spacious terrace is especially popular, letting you savor desserts or a meal while soaking up the scenery. All pastries are available for takeout, so you can enjoy them at home as well.
The food menu features lunch plates, curries, and pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. Just like the desserts, everything looks so tempting you’ll have a hard time choosing. With a strong “local production for local consumption” ethos, many ingredients are sourced from the area.
Onkawa has grown beyond the café: a design company purchased the 7,000-tsubo site (about 23,000 m²)—formerly a primary school and a rug factory—and moved its headquarters here. Today the “Onkawa Project” also encompasses a guesthouse, in-house food production, and even a solar power initiative. Keep an eye on what’s next for Onkawa.
Address.
〒646-1434 170 Ongawa, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access.
40 minutes by car from Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.
15 minutes by car from the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Art Museum.
Address.
073-964-0888
Opening hours.
▶︎ sweets-day
Wed, Thu, Fri 12:00-16:00 (close when sold out).
Baked goods take-away operation/terrace seating only.
▶︎ Normal business
Sat & Sun 11:00-17:00 (LO.16:30)
All meals and snacks / All seats available
regular closing day
Monday and Tuesday.
https://www.facebook.com/huta.nikki/
https://www.instagram.com/paradisecafe.n/
Ice cream with fruit from Kinan, near JR Kii-Tanabe Station.
This café turns imperfect or surplus fruit from Tanabe and the wider Kinan area into freshly blended ice cream. Fruit is mixed to order with the ice cream, so you get it at its just-made best.
In spring you’ll find kiwi and strawberries; in summer, amanatsu citrus, Japanese plums, and blueberries—a seasonal lineup that lets you taste the time of year. Beyond ice cream, there are juices made with local fruit, coffee, and alcoholic options such as plum liqueur.
tanabe en+ is more than a café: it’s a multi-purpose complex with a shop and coworking space. Under the motto “connecting people in Tanabe,” it serves as a gathering place where locals and travelers can meet and mingle.
Address.
〒646-0031 41-1 Minato, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access.
JR Kii-Tanabe Station
Use the ‘Kii-Tanabe Station Parking Lot’ or ‘Kii-Tanabe Station Parking Lot No. 2’ for parking.
Phone.
0739-33-9761
Opening hours
10:00 – 19:00 ( LO 18:00 )
regular closing day
No mid-year break
Official website
https://www.instagram.com/enpluscafe_tanabe/
Near Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine] It’s like the world of Ghibli!｜A small pastry shop on top of a mountain meguru
“Yama no Ue no Chiisana Yogashiten meguru” (meguru, a little patisserie on the hill) feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli scene. As of July 2022, cakes are available by advance reservation only, and each one is custom-designed for the person ordering. Beloved for its heart-warming looks and great taste, this cake shop accepts reservations up to four days in advance.
In addition to cakes, they also offer adorable baked treats—some of which can be purchased without a reservation.
From time to time, meguru pops up at local markets and events, so check the shop’s official Instagram for the latest updates. At events, they sometimes sell not only baked goods but also parfaits and roll cakes—don’t miss it!
Address.
872-1, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Access.
45 minutes drive from Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.
2 minutes walk from Kumano Kogen Shrine.
2-minute walk from the ‘Kogen Free Rest Area’ (please use the parking lot here).
Tel.
0739-64-1667
Opening hours.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (possible delivery days).
regular closing day
Wed, Sat, Sun (open on event days).
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfv32O-FcFP/
Near Kumano Hayatama-taisha shrine] Colourful cakes welcome you to Mon image.
Mon image, in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, serves cakes and parfaits overflowing with fruit from the Kumano area. You’ll find plenty of seasonal produce—strawberries, Shine Muscat grapes, amanatsu citrus, and more—available only at their peak.
The pastry case is packed with choices: mousses, bavarois, shortcakes, cream puffs, and more—so many that choosing is half the fun. In summer, they also offer limited-time gelato and parfaits, making it a spot you’ll want to revisit.
It’s less than a 30-minute drive from Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan)—an essential stop on a Kumano pilgrimage—so be sure to drop by when you visit the Kumano Kodo.
住所
〒519-4325 5821-33, Arima-cho, Kumano, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Access.
25 minutes by car from Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine
50 minutes by car from Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine.
Tel.
0597-89-6810
Opening hours
10:00-19:00.
regular closing day
Monday.
Official website
https://www.monimage-kumano.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mon.image/
[Near Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine] Cakes, ice cream and daifuku | Confectionery workshop Est.
If you’re visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha, be sure to stop by Okashi no Kobo Est, a cozy patisserie that’s been beloved by locals and is now in its 27th year.
Inside the warm, wood-accented shop, you’ll find a wide selection—from shortcakes and Mont Blanc to cookies, ice cream, and fresh-cream daifuku (¥200). You can even order a custom birthday cake topped with cute cookies.
In the studio next door, the owner handcrafts ceramic plates, mugs, and more; these pieces are also available for purchase at the shop. Many guests pair a cake with ceramics as a birthday gift.
Access is easy: just a 3-minute walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station.
Address.
3-1 Asahi, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
Access.
3 minutes walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station.
15 minutes by car from Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine.
25 minutes by car from Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine.
Tel.
0735-52-6868
Opening hours
10:00-17:00.
regular closing day
indeterminate rest period
https://www.instagram.com/estcake/
Near Kumano Hayatama-taisha shrine] 55 years of history!Shaved ice that doesn’t give you a headache｜Naka Ice Shop
Naka Ice Shop, which has served shaved ice every year without a single break for 55 years, sits near Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan). Step inside for a retro Showa-era vibe—this storied spot is often ranked among the country’s top five shaved-ice shops, with photos of visiting celebrities lining the walls.
Their kakigōri is exceptional: water from Wakayama’s Kozagawa River is filtered, then frozen slowly over 72 hours to make clear, pure ice. Shaved ultra-thin, it yields a texture that’s both fluffy and delicately crisp.
Syrups often feature fruit from Mie and Wakayama. Look for flavors like Unshū mikan (¥500), Meyer lemon (¥500), yuzu (¥450), and shikuwasa (¥450). The perennial favorite is matcha milk kintoki (¥600)—a crowd-pleaser you’ll enjoy to the last bite.
Don’t miss the local summertime classic, “suika-gōri”: shaved ice on a skewer, striped with melon, strawberry, and lemon syrups to resemble a slice of watermelon.
If your Kumano pilgrimage falls in summer, make a cooling stop here.
Address.
〒647-0081 551-12 Shingu, Shingu, Wakayama
Access.
6 minutes walk from Kumano Hayatama-taisha shrine.
15 minutes’ walk from Gotobikiwa.
Tel
073-521-5300
Opening hours.
8:00~20:00
regular closing day
no rest
food log
https://tabelog.com/wakayama/A3005/A300501/30004308/
Kii-Katsuura: Simple, Cute Cakes & Cookies at mimiy — A Baked-Sweets Specialty Shop
At mimiy, a specialty shop for baked sweets, you can enjoy classics like Basque cheesecake, gâteau au chocolat made with carefully selected chocolate, pudding, and chiffon cake, plus shortcakes topped with seasonal fruit. The cakes look simple, but the flavors are deeply satisfying.
Their ever-popular cookie tin is packed with adorable, delicious cookies—diamants, American-style cookies, snowballs, and more—each one a treat.
After a temporary closure for relocation, the shop reopened on Friday, September 23, 2022. For the latest updates, check their Instagram.
Address.
〒647-0073 87-1, Kinokawa, Shingu, Wakayama
(The Google map below is an approximate location.)
Access.
25 minutes by car from Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine
15 minutes by car from Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine
15 minutes by car from JR Kii-Katsuura Station
6 mins walk from JR Kiisano Station.
Tel.
0735-30-1784
Opening hours
Undecided (check Instagram for updates).
regular closing day
Monday – Thursday.
https://www.instagram.com/mimiy_2021/
[Near JR Kii-Katsuura Station] Nachi-Katsuura Café Amaai
Just a 2-minute walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station, Nachi-Katsuura Café Amaai sits on a charming retro shopping street and has been a local favorite since 2012.
This welcoming spot draws a young crowd with sweets like gâteau au chocolat, Basque cheesecake, parfaits, and French toast, plus drinks including coffee, lattes, and hōjicha chai. The savory menu—featuring dishes made with local tuna— is also popular. Lunch plates are ¥1,000 and include a drink.
The café is run by Kyohei Tobayama, who also heads Akatō, a Kii-Katsuura–based media project themed around 1995. To suit guests who drink alcohol and those who don’t, the menu offers a wide range of beverages and desserts. Basque cheesecake and gâteau au chocolat are also available via the online shop.
Designed for unhurried conversation, it’s the perfect place to relax and linger.
Address.
〒649-5335 5-2-10, Tsukiji, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
Access.
2-minute walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station.
Tel
0735-52-0181
Opening hours
Lunch
11:30-17:00 (L.O.16:30)
(Open for lunch only on Tuesdays and Sundays)
Dinner
(Mon, Thu, Fri) 19:00-22:00 (L.O.21:30)
(Sat) 19:00-23:00 (L.O.22:30)
Closed.
Wednesdays and first Thursday of the month
Official website
https://akato.amaai.net/amaai/
https://www.instagram.com/cafeamaai/
[Near Kumano Hayatama Taisha] Crepes 30 Seconds from the Shrine | Ninnikotei
From the Edo through the Showa era, the riverbanks of the Kumano River were lined with small shops known as “Kawaraya.” Kawaraya Yokocho, just by Kumano Hayatama Taisha, recreates that old-time atmosphere.
Ninnikotei, a crepe stand that opened here in March this year, serves crepes with the best of both worlds—crispy and chewy. Gelato is available in summer.
The menu ranges from seasonal fruit toppings—strawberries, peaches, amanatsu—to simple butter-and-sugar crepes, plus savory “pizza” crepes for a light meal. You can also add classic Japanese toppings like mochi and anko (sweet red-bean paste).
If you’re visiting Kumano Hayatama Taisha, be sure to stop by.
Address.
〒647-0002 1-2-1 Funamachi, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan Kawaraya Yokocho 5
Access.
“Kumano Sutama Taisha” 30 seconds walk.
Opening hour
11:00-17:00.
regular closing day
Monday.
https://www.instagram.com/n1nn1k0te1/
Kumano Hongu Taisha Area: “Mōde Mochi” by Sabo Chinchoan — A Shrine Purveyor
The ‘Mote Mochi’ at Chabo Chinjuan is a Japanese confectionery that can only be tasted by those who have visited the Kumano Sanzan!Mote mochi is a limited edition product that can only be purchased at shops near the Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha).
The wrappers used in each shop have a different design, and to collect all three types, you need to visit all three Kumano mountains. This sense of rarity is also irresistible!
Mochi are made from early morning every day. You can taste them freshly made. The koshi-an (sweet red bean paste), which has been passed down from generation to generation since the shop was founded in 1951, is wrapped in a soft rice cake and sprinkled with brown rice flour. It is branded with the brand name ‘Moude mochi’.
Try the traditional sweets made to pray for the good health of visitors to Kumano.
Address.
Shingu head shop
〒647-0004 2-3-3, Ohashi-dori, Shingu, Wakayama
Teahouse Chinchoan Hongu Shop
〒647-1731 195-3 Hongu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture (in front of Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Ruihouden)
Teahouse Chinchoan Naji San Shop
〒649-5301 39 Nachiyama, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
Access
Chinchoan Shingu head shop
3-minute walk from Kumano Hayatama Taisha.
Teahouse Chinchoan Hongu Shop
Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, Zuihouden.
Teahouse Chinchoan Naji San Shop
Six-minute walk from Kumano Nachi Taisha.
Tel
Shingu head shop
0735-22-3129
Teahouse Chinchoan Hongu Shop
0735-42-1648
Teahouse Chinchoan Naji San Shop
0735-55-0811
Opening hours
Shingu head office
9:00-17:00
Teahouse Chinchoan Hongu Shop
9:00-16:00.
Teahouse Chinchoan Naji San Shop
10:00 – approx. 15:00 (may be shortened due to weather conditions).
Regular closing day
Shingu head office
Wednesday
Teahouse Chinchoan Hongu Shop
Wednesday
Teahouse Chinchoan Naji San Shop
indeterminate rest period
Official website
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