Got a sweet tooth? Kyoto is home to a number of delicious donut shops amidst all of its traditional temples and shrines. This guide covers five of the best ones to seek out on your travels to the city.

Nicotto & Mam Doughnut Café

Located just two minutes on foot from the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Nicotto & Mam Doughnut Café has a range of delicious donuts on offer daily, including flavors like mocha, matcha (made with real Uji matcha!) and strawberry chocolate. They also whip up a variety of seasonal flavors too, such as a cherry blossom flavor during spring.

Oshikoji-dori, Kurumaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842

Mouthwatering options at Nicotto & Mam Doughnut Café
Mouthwatering options at Nicotto & Mam Doughnut Café (Photo: Wally Gobetz / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Two Seven-O Donuts

The donuts at Two Seven-O are made using potato flour for a uniquely light, fluffy texture, and they're as photogenic as they are tasty. With flavors like raspberry glaze topped with dried strawberries, lemon and pistachio, and sakura (during spring), they've got something to cater to just about everyone's palate. In addition, they create some super-cute donuts for celebrations like Valentine's Day, Easter, and Christmas – keep your eyes on their Instagram for updates!

72 Maison Wise 1st floor, 3-chome Nishimachi, Ichijo-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8374

Koé donuts

With a focus on organic, natural ingredients and local produce, the menu at Koé donuts takes on a distinctly Japanese feel – there are options like a red shiso cruller, a golden sesame seeds old-fashioned donut, and a Goshiki-mame (five-colored bean) topped donut to name just a few. Design fans won't be disappointed here, either – the store was designed by architectural guru Kengo Kuma.

557 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8042

Koé donuts focus on organic, natural ingredients and local produce in their creations
Koé donuts focus on organic, natural ingredients and local produce in their creations (Photo: Stripe International Inc.)

Kamo Donut

From standard donuts to seasonal offerings, the menu at Kamo Donut includes some classic favorites made in a more natural way. Options like French crullers, chocolate and strawberry sprinkle donuts, and simple cinnamon donuts are just some of the tasty flavors available, but it's worth keeping your eyes on their Instagram account for updates about seasonal flavors – their latest sakura offerings look delicious!

28 Koyamakitaonocho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8161

Nayamachi Donuts

Newly opened just this April, Nayamachi Donuts incorporate rice flour and superfoods into their donuts for a healthier spin on the old favorite. Some of the flavors include matcha, strawberry, and raspberry, and they come decorated with natural toppings like cacao nibs and shredded coconut. The eat-in space here is wonderfully minimalist, with painted white brick walls and wooden accents.

106-7 Nakaaburakakecho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8056

The donuts at Nayamachi are decorated with natural toppings like cacao nibs and shredded coconut
The donuts at Nayamachi are decorated with natural toppings like cacao nibs and shredded coconut (Photo: Cotelette Foods Company, Inc.)