Nishiki Market, Shopping Street, Kyoto

We started our day in Kyoto by visiting the famous Nishiki Market. As we arrived early in the morning, the street was already bustling with activity.

It;s located right in the heart of downtown Kyoto, is Kyoto’s most famous market for anything and everything food related.

By trying different snacks, one can gain insight into the local customs and flavors. It is an opportunity to discover new flavors and products that may not be available elsewhere.

Many shops, offering a huge variety of things from fresh fish to green tea, from kimono shops to inkan shops, can be seen and experienced.

One snack attracted us, Takotamago, a small baby octopus with a quail’s egg inside the head. The little skewered treat is candied and has a strange combination of salt and sweet.

We really enjoyed walking through this market and gives you a real taste of the Japanese culture and cuisine. There are lots of hidden gems along the market, little craft shops, traditional foods, and deserts and it’s very clean and orderly.

Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

This well-maintained small shrine located off of Shinkyogoku in Kyoto’s shopping district is hard to overlook if you’re shopping in the area. The shrine was built in 947 A.D. and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Teramachi & Shinkyogoku Shopping Street

Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Street is a shopping area located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. It is a popular tourist destination and a great place to shop for all kinds of items, from traditional Japanese souvenirs to modern fashion.

The Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Streets stretch from Shijo Street to Sanjo-Dori Street in parallel.

The eastern street, known as Shinkyogoku, offers a wide range of tourist souvenirs along with a number of specialist stores of long-standing including outlets for dolls, geta, ukiyo-e (woodblock) prints, kitchen knives, and herbal medicine.

Our visit to Nishiki Market was a great experience. We were able to sample some delicious local delicacies, find unique souvenirs, and get a glimpse into the culture and traditions of Kyoto. We highly recommend a visit to this wonderful market if you’re ever in the area!

Getting Here

• Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station. From Shijo Station, take the Tozai Subway Line to Kawaramachi Station. From Kawaramachi Station, it is a 5-minute walk to Nishiki Market.

Address:

Nishikikoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku (between Teramachi and Takakura)

Opening hours:

• 9 am-6 pm, varies for individual stalls.
• Some shops closed on Wednesday

Admission:

• Free