For an authentic culinary experience in Kyoto, a visit to Nishiki Market is a must. With an incredible array of food—both fresh and ready to eat—the market boasts over 100 stalls selling just about everything edible, from the freshest seafood and seasonal vegetables to pickled goods and a wide range of delicious skewered snacks. Among the mouth-watering treats, you’ll also find a few items not for the faint-hearted—some might even be considered stomach-churning, such as fresh fish guts and, occasionally, whale meat.
Beyond the food, the market is a great place to find everything needed to set up a Japanese kitchen. You’ll discover hand-carved knives, cleavers, utensils, pots, pans, and other unique cookware.
The narrow lanes and bustling crowds give Nishiki Market a tight but vibrant atmosphere. The mix of wonderful—and sometimes unusual—aromas drifting from the stalls adds to the market’s charm, making it a fascinating and memorable experience.
Many stalls offer free samples of their specialties, so keep an eye out and be adventurous—you might be pleasantly surprised by what you try!
Known locally as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” the market is believed to have started around 1310, initially focusing on seafood. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a vibrant hub offering a wide variety of products. Interestingly, many of the shops have been passed down through families for generations.
In recent years, gift and souvenir shops have joined the mix to cater to the growing number of visitors. So, there are plenty of options if you’re looking to take home a Kyoto memento. A few popular stores include Ichihara Heibei Shoten, which sells all kinds of chopsticks, and Aritsugu, a famous knife shop dating back to 1560 that is an official supplier to the Imperial family.
Located in downtown Kyoto, Nishiki Market runs between Teramachi and Shinmachi, just one block north of Shijo Street, and is the city’s largest traditional-style food market. It is open seven days a week from around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, although some shops may be closed on Wednesdays.
The market is about a 20-minute walk north from Kyoto Station, but the closest station is Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, just a five-minute walk from the south exit.
