Your Kyoto Chiikawa guide
A New Baby Castella Shop Is Opening
A Sweet New Stop at Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Japan
Entry Lotteries, Reservations, Merch, and the Menu Explained
Hi there!
It’s your globe-trotting blogger, Traveling Gomyammi,back with another travel find.
Chiikawa fans planning a trip to Japan, this one’s for you!
Have you heard about the adorable new Chiikawa shop
opening in Kyoto?
Meet Chiikawa Baby Castella Kyoto Nishiki— the brand’s new Kyoto location.
I’m planning to visit on my Kyoto trip next January.
(Yes, I already have Fukuoka booked for November,
and here I am planning another trip to Kyoto in January…)
Many of you will probably visit Kyoto on a tour from Osaka.
Raku Tour is a popular choice, with loads of reviews and great ratings.
But can you squeeze in a Chiikawa stop
during Raku Tour’s day-trip itinerary?
> No, unfortunately.
(You’ll need to explore Kyoto independently
or stay an extra night to fit this visit in.)
Back in July 2026, in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan,
the first location opened for Chiikawa Baby Castella,and now
it’s finally coming to Kyoto, too.
These aren’t just ordinary castella cakes.
They’re shaped like adorable Chiikawa characters, including Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi—
miniature versions of the Japanese sponge cake,
baked into little bites of cuteness.
There are opening-exclusive merchandise perks to look out for, too.
So if you’re planning a Kyoto trip in November, December, or next January,this is one
to put on your radar!
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Kyoto Chiikawa Guide: Castella Shop Opening Date & Location |
Chiikawa Baby Castella Kyoto Nishiki
* Opening date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
* Location: Nishiki Market, Kyoto, Japan
* Address: 205 Kajiyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
* Hours: 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
* Getting there: About a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station
* Closed: Open year-round, though this may change depending on circumstances
The shop will be inside Nishiki Market,
a must-visit stop on a Kyoto itinerary.
If you’re exploring Kawaramachi or Gion,
it should be easy to work into your route.
Just keep in mind: advance reservations are required during the initial opening period.
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How to Apply for an Entry Reservation |
The advance-reservation period runs from
November 18, 2026, through January 3, 2027.Those are the dates to keep in mind!
Entry lottery applications are handled through
the official Chiikawa Mogu Mogu Honpo LINE account.
Apply for the Chiikawa Entry Lottery on Official LINE
1. Add the official account as a friend on LINE.
2. Check the lottery application schedule for your preferred visit dates.
3. Apply for the entry lottery through LINE during the relevant application window.
4. Check whether you’ve been selected.
5. If selected, use your digital admission ticket to enter at your assigned time.
It’s a lottery, not first come, first served, so there’s no need to rush your application.
But if you miss the application window, you won’t be able to enter that round.
I’d save the dates in your calendar now!
All lottery application windows follow Japan Standard Time:
they open at 6 p.m. and close at 6 p.m. on the final day.
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You can apply once per day during each round’s application window. You can win a maximum of once per round. Each person needs their own digital admission ticket. Children of elementary school age or younger may accompany the ticket holder. Even with accompanying children, purchases are limited to one checkout transaction per applicant. Reservations cannot be canceled or transferred after selection. |
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Chiikawa Baby Castella Menu & Prices Limited-Edition Opening Merchandise |
Here’s my translated rundown of the official website’s information.
Choose from strawberry, chocolate, or pudding cream.
Ice cream comes in milk, chocolate, or a mix of both.
Each castella order also includes one randomly selected original sasumata pick—
a miniature version of the characters’ forked pole weapon.
The cup-clinging mascot set launching on November 18
and the cup holder look seriously cute. I’d love to get my hands on them!
These new items will be sold at both the Kyoto and Otaru locations,
so they aren’t exclusive to Kyoto.
They won’t be available from the online store, though.
Some items can only be purchased as add-ons with a food order,
so check the conditions before you buy.
As an opening purchase bonus,
you’ll receive one original, not-for-sale sticker per checkout transaction!
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How to Order and Pay at the Shop |
Chiikawa Baby Castella Kyoto Nishiki
uses a mobile ordering system.
Scan the QR code provided in the shop, place your order, and pay.
Then pick up your items when your number is called.
Self-checkout kiosks are available, too!
Cash isn’t accepted, so bring a credit card
or use an accepted electronic money or QR-code payment method.
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Kyoto Chiikawa Guide: Castella Shop FAQ |
Q. Can I visit without a reservation?
Through January 3, 2027,
entry requires an advance lottery reservation. You can’t simply walk in.
Q. Are reservations first come, first served?
No. Entry is allocated by lottery.
Just apply within the application window for your preferred round.
Q. Can I buy merchandise without ordering castella?
Standard original merchandise can be purchased on its own. Some souvenir items, however, require a food purchase.
Q. Can I cancel after winning an entry reservation?
According to the official guidance, digital tickets cannot be canceled or transferred once you’ve been selected.
Q. How long will the shop stay open?
The announcement describes it as a permanent store.
January 3, 2027, is not the shop’s closing date—
it’s the final day of the announced advance-reservation period.
I hope this Kyoto Chiikawa guide helps with your trip planning. If you’re a fan, save those lottery application dates now!
More Kyoto Tours to Check Out
Explore This Popular Northern Kyoto Small-Town Tour
(A well-reviewed option with some of the strongest ratings)
Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Small-Town Tour
Kyoto Day Trip by Bus from Osaka
Raku Tour: The Option with the Most Reviews
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