Nishiki Market Tours and Activities

Nishiki Market
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Come to this market in the heart of the city to experience the authentic sights, smells and sounds of the bartering vendors and their traditional food.

Traditional Japanese food is the order of the day in the Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto’s Kitchen. The market plays host to hundreds of restaurants, shops and temporary stalls selling culinary supplies from fresh seafood to knives. Shops sell either food or utensils with which to prepare it. A stark contrast to the serene and humble temples, shrines and museums, Nishiki Market is the perfect place to experience the typical hustle and bustle of food trade at the core of Kyoto.

Discover famous Kyoto specialties, such as sushi and dried seafood. Browse the shops, which range in size from tiny stalls to large buildings. Many of them specialize in a certain type of food, most of which is procured in the region. Try your luck with some free samples as vendors try to tempt you into making a purchase. Sit down at one of the small restaurants for lunch amid the food-crazed atmosphere. Try out a soy ice cream, oysters or even an octopus skewer.

The market dates back to the 17th century when fish was the sole item on the menu. As the market grew, the stall count rose to more than 130 and helped to create a greater variety of food on sale. The majority of shops have been family-owned for many generations. Today, the bazaar stretches across five blocks with its culinary delights and is sheltered by a multicolored glass roof. Shops are generally open from the morning until the afternoon. Many close on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Nishiki Market is based in the Nakagyo Ward in the northeast of Kyoto. It is right by Shijō Station. It can be found on the Karasuma Subway Line, only a few minutes from the grand Kyoto Station. The Kamogawa River is nearby, as are the Teramachi and Shin-Kyogoku shopping centers. The market is one block north of Shijō Avenue, which runs parallel.

Reviews of Nishiki Market

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
56
" "5 - Excellent 44.8%
4 - Good
52
" "4 - Good 41.6%
3 - Okay
17
" "3 - Okay 13.6%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
19 Sep 2019

Need to go there a bit early and prepare to eat in the street as not much shop have place let you sit down and eat.

4/5 - Good

Ac
30 Apr 2019

Nishiki markets are very close to this hotel. Very busy market but have many stalls selling food and local delicacies as well as soveniers and knife store.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
29 Mar 2019

While the restaurants around the market area are great, the market itself is just OK. I would recommend it only for hardcore lovers of Japanese food, but not casual or first-time tourists.

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