Kyo-gashi (Kyoto confectionery) was originally sweet used for ceremonial ceremonies based on Yusoku-Kojitsu (traditional events, ceremonies, systems, government posts, and customs conducted by the imperial court, court nobles, and samurai families, or academic studies that study them) and tea ceremonies.  As the Edo period entered a stable period and popular culture spread, Kyo-gashi, which were only eaten by the upper class, became popular among the common people. Kyo-gashi culture, which expresses a sense of the seasons and the beauty of nature, has continued to spread since the Meiji period, and nowadays, the number of fans is increasing all over the world through foreigners visiting Japan.

京菓子は元々は有職故実(朝廷や公家、武家などが行う昔からの行事や儀式・制度・官職・習慣の先例、またはそれらを研究する学問)にもとづく儀式典礼に用いる菓子、または茶道に用いる菓子のことでした。江戸時代になって安定した時代を迎え、大衆文化が広がる中、上流階級のみが食していた京菓子も庶民の間に普及していきました。季節感や花鳥風月などを表現し、高い芸術性が込められた日本の菓子文化は明治時代以降もますますの広がりをみせ、今では、日本を訪れる外国人を通じて世界中に愛好者が増えています。