Nishiki Market in Kyoto: Highlights & How To Visit.

2023-12-262024-03-08

Nishiki Market, a famous market located in the central area of Kyoto, is celebrated as a source of some of the best food and ingredients Kyoto has to offer, and is visited by both local residents and tourists from all over the world.

This article will guide you on how to reach Nishiki Market from Kyoto station and share the highlights of the market, along with some personal photographs.

Getting To Nishiki Market From Kyoto Station

The most convenient way to reach Nishiki Market from Kyoto Station is by bus.
Take bus number 4, 17, or 205 from bus stop A2 and disembark at Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop.
From the Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop, you can reach Nishiki Market in about 5 minutes on foot.

STEP

Board bus 4, 17, or 205 from bus stop A2 at Kyoto Station Bus Terminal.

The terminal is located right next to the central exit of Kyoto Station on the north side.
Follow the station’s signs, like the one in the photo below, to the terminal.

Below is a picture of the bus terminal.

Look for the pillar marked A2.
Remember that the bus number is 4, 17, or 205.
Please be careful to board the correct bus.

STEP

Disembark at Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to get here from Kyoto Station.
The price is 230 yen for adults, 120 yen for children aged 6-11 years.

STEP

From the bus stop, walk about 290m.

Turn into the side street right next to the bus stop.

If you board bus number 17, it will stop slightly south of bus stop 205 and 4.
Go a little north and cross the first intersection, then walk about 100m and turn into the side street.

After turing into the side street, then keep going.
It might not look like it, but this route is the shortest and easiest way to get there.

At the end of the road is the Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum.
Turn right here and walk about 20 meters to the Nishiki Market entrance.

Highlights of Nishiki Market

Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is located right next to the market’s east entrance.
As the only shrine in Kyoto’s downtown area, it is beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Just one step away from the bustling shopping street, the shrine grounds are a quiet and calm place.
The atmosphere is so quiet that you might forget that this is Kyoto’s busiest district.

The market’s unique torii gate, integrated into the walls of adjacent shops, has gained media attention.

The beautifully lit lanterns at the entrance add to the charm during darker hours.

It spans about 390 meters and is known for its red, yellow and green arcade ceiling, reflecting the market’s food-centric values.

With over 400 years of history, the market is said to have its origins in ancient times, when fresh produce was cooled using underground water.
The cold underground water could be used to preserve fish and birds, so it was valued as a natural refrigerator.

Today, Nishiki Market boasts over 120 stores, offering not only fresh vegetables and fish but also traditional Kyoto cuisine, sushi, home cooking, and more.
Its wide selection of traditional Kyoto products makes it an ideal spot for souvenir shopping.

Here are four shops I recommend in Nishiki Market from the Nishiki Tenman-gu Shrine side.

01. Japanese-Style goods / Maisen-do

Maisen-do offers a wide variety of Japanese-Style goods such as folding fans, frame purses and various accessories, giving it a typical Kyoto atmosphere.
If you want to take home traditional Japanese-Style goods, Maisendo is recommended.

According to the shop staff, shoelaces, folding fans, wrapping cloth, and accessories made from Kyoto textiles are said to be particularly popular among tourists from other countries.

These cute shoelaces are adorned with cherry blossoms.

These folding fans with Kanji (Chinese characters) written on them are popular among international tourists.

The folding fans with the patterns in the photo below are also popular.

Traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, or Furoshiki, can be used to wrap items and carry them.
They have been used in Japan for a long time, yet their exact origin remains a mystery.

These crane and carp designs have proven especially popular.

Instructions on how to use Furoshiki are also displayed inside the store.
They can be washed like other pieces of cloth when they get dirty.
Their environmental friendliness has also caused a boost in their popularity.

You may also find pen cases, tissue cases, and frame purses crafted from Kyoto textiles, popular for their stylish Japanese designs.

**Maisendo**
Business hours	AM 9:30 – PM 6:00
Regular holiday	Irregular holidays (several times a year)
Phone number	+81-75-212-5671

02. Japanese omelette / Tanaka Keiran

Tanaka Keiran, with over 90 years of history, specializes in the traditional Japanese dish “Dashimaki” or Japanese omelette.
These rolled omelettes, seasoned with broth, are known for their fluffy texture that bursts with delicious broth upon each bite.

The ingredients are simple yet carefully chosen, including only broth and fresh eggs, without any chemical seasonings, additives, or sugar.
This reflects the essence of Kyoto cuisine, which emphasizes the natural flavors of ingredients.

The store has several options, not least of which is omelettes stuffed with eel.
However, according to the store staff, the regular Japanese omelette without any toppings tends to be the most popular option among customers.

The store offers omelettes in three sizes, large, medium, and small. Japanese customers seem to prefer the smaller size, while international tourists tend to opt for the larger ones.

Although the store lacks any formal seating, an area has been set aside for customers to enjoy their omelettes in store.

These omelettes are perfect for a leisurely meal back at your hotel or accommodation.
Personally, I absolutely love the flavor, and almost every time I go to Nishiki Market, I stop by here and buy some to take home.

**Tanaka Keiran**
Business hours	AM 9:00 – PM 6:00
Regular holiday	January 1st to January 5th
Phone number	+81-75-221-2094

03. Matcha powder / Sawawa Japanese Matcha sweets(Nishiki)

Sawawa Japanese Matcha sweets (Nishiki) specializes in matcha, which is powder finely ground from green tea leaves.

The first floor operates as a souvenir shop, and the second floor is a cafe.
You’ll find no better place for all things related to matcha.

The souvenir shop carries an extensive selection of matcha-based sweets and other products.

Among the souvenirs, matcha powder is the most popular and best-selling.
Many people come to Japan and experience matcha and want to take it back to their home countries and drink or use it in sweets.

When you open the can, you’ll find a bright green powder and an aromatic scent.
The taste is mellow, with a little bitterness, rich flavor, and a good aftertaste.

The second floor of the store is a cafe where you can enjoy matcha delicacies on the spot.

**Matcha sweets store Sawawa**
Business hours	1F Product sales / AM 10:00 – PM 6:00
Business hours	2F Cafe / AM 10:30 – PM 7:30 *last order – PM 5:00
Regular holiday	No regular holidays
Phone number	+81-75-708-6377

04. Salmon Carappcio, Oyster / Kimura Fresh Fish

Fresh Fish Kimura is a long standing establishment and has been specializing in fresh fish since the Edo period, about 400 years ago.
The seafood displayed in the store is freshly purchased from Kyoto’s Central Wholesale Market.

You can select the freshest fish in the store and order it to be cooked or grilled.
The store has tables and chairs inside, so that you can eat right away.

The storefront is truly an impressive sight, and your eyes will be glued to the different varieties of fish lined up.

The most popular dish is the Toro Salmon Carpaccio, which is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Oysters with large meat, a plump texture, and a rich flavor are also popular, and are split right in front of you.
They are some of the most requested dishes.

**Sengyo Kimura**
Business hours	AM 9:00 – PM 5:30
Regular holiday	Sunday
Phone number	+81-75-221-1639

Facility Details of Nishiki Market

To ensure proper etiquette, eating while walking is prohibited at Nishiki Market.
Products purchased at each store can be eaten at designated eat-in spaces within stores.
Please follow the rules and manners and have fun.

Web Site	Official web site
Business hours	Varies by store. Most stores are open AM 9:00 – PM 6:00
Entrance fee	Free
Phone number	+81-75-211-3882

Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum is right next to Nishiki Market, where you can have a taste of authentic samurai & ninja.
If you are interested, please refer to the article below.