All Reviews of Nagaoka Kyo Ogura Sanso “Karuta Hyakunin Isshu”

The Hyakunin Isshu is a very famous Japanese poetry anthology containing 100 waka poems, and it is also an important theme in the traditional Japanese card game. Ogura Sanso incorporates this classical culture into its product designs, giving everyday rice crackers an added sense of culture and artistry. Just seeing the elegant packaging makes you want to take it home as a keepsake or give it to friends and family!

Ogura Sanso itself is a well-known rice cracker brand in Kyoto. The rice crackers are crisp and have a fragrant rice flavor, paired with savory or sweet seasonings. They're simple and tasty!

The first time I tried Ogura Sanso rice crackers in Taiwan, given to me by a friend, I was completely won over by the elegant, refined packaging and the delicate, crispy texture. Every variety has a rich, natural rice aroma that makes you fall in love at first bite.

Since I was traveling in Kyoto this time, of course I took the opportunity to buy some in person. I found that they have counters in many large department stores, and the dazzling selection of gift boxes and flavors was almost overwhelming. Best of all, you can also buy limited-edition packaging released for special holidays, making it perfect either as a gift or for yourself. It’s definitely a classic must-buy souvenir when visiting Japan. If you like rice crackers, don’t miss it.

These Ogura Sanso rice crackers are seriously delicious. They have just the right amount of crunch without being too hard, and the rice flavor is very rich. There’s a great variety of flavors. Both the sweet and savory soy sauce flavor and the savory seaweed flavor are excellent. The seasoning is just right overall and not overly salty at all. When I keep them for myself to snack on while watching a show, I can’t help eating one after another.

When I came to Nagaokakyo in Kyoto and discovered Ogura Sanso's “Karuta Hyakunin Isshu,” I realized that traditional Japanese culture could be this interesting! Hyakunin Isshu is a classic Japanese waka poetry anthology featuring works by 100 poets. Ogura Sanso incorporates this classical culture into its souvenirs and product designs, allowing you to take in Kyoto's rich cultural atmosphere as you browse.

What attracted me most in the store were the various designs related to waka poetry and karuta cards. They're exquisite and full of Japanese character, and everything from the packaging to the products feels high-quality. Seeing familiar Hyakunin Isshu cards especially makes you want to take a closer look and learn more about the story behind each poem.

I think Ogura Sanso is more than just a place to buy souvenirs. It's also like a small window into Kyoto's traditional culture. The classical Hyakunin Isshu combined with modern product design feels historical without seeming too distant.

If you like Kyoto culture, waka poetry, or Japanese-style souvenirs, I highly recommend visiting Ogura Sanso in Nagaokakyo. You can pick out a souvenir you like to take home and preserve some of the classical atmosphere of your Kyoto trip along with it.

Ogura Sanso, a classic Kyoto rice cracker brand, has a crisp texture that isn't too hard to bite into, with a subtle rice aroma. They're also great for seniors and children.

There's a wide variety of flavors, from classic soy sauce and seaweed and lightly salted to Japanese curry. Saga no Yaki is a classic sweet-and-savory soy sauce flavor with seaweed, while for something a little different, I recommend the curry-flavored Ogura Meigetsu, which is crisp and airy with a mild curry aroma.

They have so many flavors—salt, black pepper, shrimp, and more! Lots of variety!