This shop is located near Shimogamo Shrine, one of unesco heritage site in Kyoto. Around 7-minutes walk from the Shrine gate. Housen specialized in traditional Japanese sweets(wagashi), and especially famous for it's warabi mochi(a kind of mochi made from wild warabi plant's root). Ones can enjoy sweets in a traditional Japanese room overlooking the garden. Nice space for a relaxing long chat with friends, or just to enjoy the scenery. This time we had one warabi mochi and mizubotan(mizu=water, botan=chrysanthemum). First, for the warabi mochi. This shop only served freshly made warabi mochi which is chilled quickly before served. The unique texture can be describe as soft, chewy, and sticky like a rice mochi but in the same time watery, moist and light like an agar. The warabi is slightly sweet, but if you prefer yours sweeter you can always add some Kuro-mitsu(black sugar syrup). Best warabi-mochi I've ever tasted. Even though warabi mochi is the main star. Mizubotan was also quite delicious. Smooth Shiro-an(white bean paste) is slightly sweetened and layered with gelatinous kudzu(some kind of starch) to provide some texture contrast. Softly colored and carefully molded shape was also feast to the eyes. Other than the sweets you can also enjoy selections of Japanese teas ranging from fragrant matcha to fine gyokuro teas. Houji cha (roasted tea) is provided for free though. The prices is on the expensive side for sweets. Around 1100 yen for 1 serving of warabi and 500 yen for the wagashi. But the superb ambience with excellent wagashi worth every bit IMO. As this is a really popular shop, expect some queuing so don't go 1 hour before closing time!