Nishiki Market, often called “the kitchen of Kyoto,” is a place where you can find Kyoto vegetables, river fish from Lake Biwa, hamo (Japanese conger eel), guji (tile fish), dried flatfish, yuba (tofu skin), and fu (wheat gluten). It is a unique opportunity to experience the culinary culture of Kyoto, the pride of Japan. Asking the staff at the stores about their knowledge of food and how to eat it is one of the fun things to do. Also, at the end of the year and New Year’s, the market is so crowded with people as impossible as you can move forward, which has become a kind of Kyoto tradition.The most distinctive feature of Nishiki Market is its 390-meter-long shopping arcade. Nishiki-koji-dori, a street 3.3 to 5 meters wide, stretches 390 meters from east to west, with various stores along both sides. The red, yellow, and green arcades, which are often posted on Instagram, have become a symbol of Nishiki Market and allow visitors to enjoy a relaxing stroll even on rainy days.
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The beginning of Nishiki Market

To walk through the 390 meter long market also means to walk through 400 years of history. Nishiki Market is not only a shopping street with a long history and long shopping arcades, it is also a very interesting shopping street. It is said that the market already existed here since the Heian period (794-1185), a long time ago, where you can enjoy rare foods that you cannot find anywhere else and the unique food culture that Kyoto has cultivated. Then, in the Edo period (1603-1868), Nishiki Market began as a full-scale fish market officially recognized by the Edo shogunate.

A unique painting of Ito Jakuchu on the shutter

The ceilings and shutters of the Nishiki Market are covered with the paintings of Ito Jakuchu, a painter who worked in Kyoto during the mid-Edo period. Jakuchu’s unique world of flashy rich colors, extremely detailed drawings, and highly original expressions, which cannot be seen in other painters, has been gaining recognition and popularity not only in Japan but also in the western countries in recent years.

Gourmet food at Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is lined with stores of various styles, from restaurants where you can sit down and eat, to grocery stores and fish shops, and even light meals for a quick bite. Whether you want to cook yourself using local ingredients, take a break and enjoy a meal at a restaurant, or are just looking for a light meal to fill your stomach while strolling around, you will find the perfect food for everyone. Furthermore, many stores offer samples, so you may want to leave some room in your stomach to try different flavors. Here are a few famous stores to get you started.

Kyōyasai kanematsurōho

If you are looking for Kyoto vegetables, visit the Kyoto vegetable shop “Kanematsu-roho”, with a long history, in Nishiki Market. It may seem a little more expensive than a typical grocery store, but the quality of the vegetables is obviously high quality when you see them all lined up in the store, and you will be convinced that it is special and worth the price. You will also find domestic produce that is hard to find elsewhere.

Tanaka keiran

Stop by “Tanaka Keiran” for a taste of their excellent Japanese omelet with broth. The eggs are made from “Kuro-tanba” chickens raised on a diet of black soy beans from Tanba, and have a mild, additive-free flavor.

Karikari hakase Kyōto Nishiki-ten

“Karikari hakase Kyoto Nishiki” is a to-go takoyaki stand. Their specialty, jumbo takoyaki, is a must-try. The crispy outside and tasty inside is a perfect texture that is sure to get you addicted!

Terakoya Honpo

This is a store specializing in mochi-yaki rice crackers located near the entrance to the Takakura-dori side of Nishiki Market. The savory aroma of freshly baked rice crackers wafting from the store will make you stop in your tracks.

Buy souvenirs at Nishiki Market

In addition to food, Nishiki Market has many stores that sell items that are typical of Kyoto. It will be a fun memory to find a souvenir that will make people happy. Here are some of the stores that you can visit.

Aritsugu

”Aritsugu”,with a long history, is a knife store. Originally a sword smith for the imperial family, Aritsugu began making carving blades as the times changed, and later expanded into the production of cooking tools. Today, all kinds of cooking equipment can be found in stores. Why not purchase a knife with your name carved on it to commemorate your trip?

Tsunoki Shuho

”Tsunoki Shuho is a liiquor shop started business over 200 years ago, offers a wide range of local sake and beer from Kyoto as well as sake from all over Japan and a variety of Western liquors.

FUMIYA KYOTO

“FUMIYA KYOTO” is a baumkuchen specialty store produced by “FUMIYA”, a famous Kyoto udon store that has been in business for over 60 years. “Fu-baum is a baumkuchen made with selected rich eggs from Tanba, Kyoto, to create a moist and soft texture. The secret ingredient is rum from Minami Daito Island in Okinawa, which gives it a mature taste. In addition to the regular flavor, there is also a Kyoto-style green tea flavor that uses green tea from tea shop, “Marukyu Koyamaen”, which has a long history in Uji.

Kitao

”Kitao” which has a long history is a store that specializes in black soybeans and red beans. They sell the highest grade black soybeans, “Shin Tanbaguro” from Tanba, Kyoto, as well as dried foods and black bean products. Black soybean sweets are the perfect souvenirs from Kyoto. Black soybeans from Tanba, Kyoto are used to make several kinds of bean sweets. You can also select a small box with a design of the four seasons of Kyoto, Buddhist temples and other Kyoto motifs.

Etiquette at Nishiki Market

In Kyoto, which is visited by many tourists throughout the year, violating manners at the Nishiki Market has become a problem. In order to enjoy the market comfortably, let’s understand the manners. 1) Walking while eating is prohibited. Eat in the designated space of the store where you purchased the food. 2) Garbage should be thrown away in the trash cans of the stores where you purchased it or given to the staff at the stores, and not littered.

Nishiki Market location and business hours

Nishiki Market is conveniently located in Kyoto, just a five-minute walk from Shijo Station. Not all stores have the same business hours, but they tend to be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. If there is a store you are interested in, check the business hours before you visit.

Attractions near Nishiki Market

After getting full at Nishiki Market, why don’t you experience a bit of Kyoto’s culture? Here are some recommended sightseeing spots nearby.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is one of the largest manga museums in Japan, built in a renovated building of the former Tatsuike Elementary School. The museum has about 50,000 manga books, which can be freely read in the museum. In addition, there are exhibits on the history of manga, viewing of a professional manga artist’s production process, a performance of nostalgic kamishibai, and various other experiences, so you can enjoy the whole day.

Kawaramachi Shopping Street

It is a shopping street with a history of about 300 years, and is lined with all kinds of stores, including fashion items such as shoes and handbags, etc. How about stopping by the Duce mix building and buying goods created by local artists as souvenirs?

Shinkyogoku Shopping Street

Conveniently located just off Nishiki Market Street, this is a great spot for shopping and looking for souvenirs. The entire area is covered with roofs, so you can enjoy shopping even on rainy days. From fashion to interior design to housewares, there is a wide range of stores with a wide price range, so you can find a great souvenir to fit your budget.

Higashi Honganji Temple

This is the head temple of the Otani sect of Shinshu Buddhism, known locally as “Ohigashi-san. In the grounds of the temple, there is an enshrined image of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu.

Shoseien

The Shoseien is a Japanese-stlye pond garden that is part of the Higashi Honganji temple’s outlying grounds. It is also called the “Kikokutei garden” after the karatachi trees that were planted around it. The garden is filled with seasonal flowers, and its varied scenery is highly regarded as one of the “Thirteen Views. It is a great place to get away from the busyness of the city of Kyoto for a while and relax yourself in a quiet place.

Enjoy Nishiki Market

How was it so far? Nishiki Market is a place with 400 years of history where you can enjoy Japanese food culture. In addition to the stores I mentioned, there are many other attractive stores in Nishiki Market. Some of the fresh fish and fruit and vegetable stores are regularly frequented by Kyoto residents, making the market an indispensable part of Kyoto. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Nishiki Market, buy some souvenirs, and enjoy a meal.