Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
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3h
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About this experience
Get an introduction to Kyoto’s renowned cuisine on this small-group guided tour of the city's best food spots. Start at the vast 400-year-old Nishiki Market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' where hundreds of food shops and stalls beckon. Stroll through the market with your guide, learning about Kyoto’s culinary history and sampling dishes unique to Kyoto.
・Spend time wandering around Nishiki Market, home to 130 food stalls
・Enjoy 5 carefully selected local specialties like tofu skin, WAGYU steak skewers, and Hamo tempura
・Get insider knowledge from a local Guide
Available options
NIshiki Walking & Tea Ceremony
Tea Ceremony: After the walking tour, please go to the venue on your own. Our guide will help you. https://maps.app.goo.gl/gM5JLF3YdKiUu4q<br/>NIshiki Market Walking Tour: Meetup: 10:15am at South West Main entrance of Daimaru Kyoto. <br/>Starting point:<br/>四條東洞院内裏跡, Tachiuri Nishimachi, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8007, Japan
Walking Tour from Daimaru
Start from South West Main entrance of Daimaru Kyoto.
End around Shinkyogoku Shopping Street.<br/>Starting point:<br/>四條東洞院内裏跡, Tachiuri Nishimachi, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8007, Japan
Walking Tour from Takashimaya
Start from Kyoto Takashimaya department store.
End at Daimaru Kyoto.<br/>Starting point:<br/>Shijo Street Sidewalk Expansion Project Memorial, Shincho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8001, Japan
What's included
5 Special Street Food(Tofu skin, Local home cooking, Hamo Tempura, WAGYU steak skewers, and more)
Local guide
Food tasting
Detailed itinerary
1
Stop 1
Soak up the sights, sounds, and smells, and learn about local food culture in this 400-year-old market with 130 shops all along a narrow five-block long street. This market still functions as an important place for both locals and professional chefs. Many chefs of Michelin-star restaurants and hotels/ryokans buy their ingredients from this market everyday. Locals come to the market when they want real atuhentic ingredients with best quality.
While wandering through the market and sampling various kind of foods, you will learn about Japanese foods, local specialties, and food culture. Let's enjoy the market, not only foods but also all food related shops such as kitchen knives, tableware, and chopsticks.
2
Stop 2
Visiting a local Shinto shrine. You will learn about things you often find at a shrine and how to pray at a Japanese Shinto shrine.
Also, you could know the basics about the worships among Japanese People.
If you like, you can try a fortune paper.
3
This pedestrian-only shopping arcade street is a great spot for tourists as it blends traditional Kyoto culture with modern commercial trend.
You will feel the life of the local people while walking through this local shopping street, where various shops from long-established shops to the latest shops line up.
4
A small Buddhist temple located at the corner of the shopping street. There are temples everywhere in Kyoto, so this is something local experience that you can feel temples close to you in everyday life.
5
Stop 5
You will feel the life of the local people while walking through this local shopping street, where various shops from long-established shops to the latest shops line up.
Available languages
Guide guide
EN
Reviews breakdown
Viator
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Tripadvisor
4.9
322 reviews
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Important information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We are unfortunately unable to accommodate dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, halal, kosher, gluten-free, or allergy-related requests.
If you will come with a stroller, please let us know in advance. Nishiki market is very crowded sometimes.
If you have severe dietary restrictions, it may not be possible to arrange food for you.
The tour will take place rain or shine.
Services not listed (For example : Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation to/from attractions, Extra food and drink, Other personal expenses) are not included in the tour.
Legal drinking age is 20 years in Japan
Meeting point
[Meetup] 10:15 am in front of the South West Main entrance of DAIMARU KYOTO.
*In front of the "Shijo Takakura bus stop" along big Shijo street.
*This is NOT FUJII Daimaru.
Important notes
-If you have any food allergy or you couldn’t eat anything, please let us know. We will do our best, but there is a possibility that we could not accommodate your acceptable food if you have a severe allergy.
-This is a group tour
-This tour does not accept Wheelchair
-If you have a stroller, please let us know in advance
-We will leave at start time sharp, so please make sure to be there on time! (We could not wait!)
-During the tour, the guide will take a photo and we may upload it on our SNS. If you do not like it, tell us in advance.
-Please come with comfortable walking shoes as this tour is mainly a walking tour
-There could be a delay at when tour ends, if you have an appointment or plan right after this tour please let us know in advance
=================================
On the day of your tour, our guide will be waiting at the meeting place with a board saying "Japan Wonder Travel".
Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/uNDBBUogdhUUB3jX6
About Kyoto
Kyoto, once the imperial capital of Japan, is a city rich in history, culture, and tradition. Known for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses, Kyoto offers a unique blend of ancient and modern Japan. The city is a must-visit for travelers seeking to experience the heart of Japanese heritage.
Top Attractions
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks. The temple's top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the surrounding pond.
Historical/Religious
1-2 hours
¥400
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. The trails leading up the mountain offer stunning views of Kyoto.
Religious
2-4 hours (depending on how far you hike)
Free
Kiyomizu-dera
A historic wooden temple with a large veranda supported by massive wooden pillars, Kiyomizu-dera offers panoramic views of Kyoto. The temple is particularly famous for its spring and autumn foliage.
Religious
1-2 hours
¥400
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A stunning grove of bamboo, Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's most famous natural attractions. The towering bamboo stalks create a surreal and peaceful atmosphere.
Nature
1-2 hours
Free (Tenryu-ji Temple costs ¥500)
Gion
Kyoto's most famous geisha district, Gion is known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and the chance to spot geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas).
Cultural
1-2 hours (longer if dining or attending a cultural event)
Free to explore (dining and cultural events can be expensive)
Must-Try Local Dishes
Kaiseki Ryori
A traditional multi-course Japanese meal that emphasizes seasonality and presentation. Each dish is carefully prepared and artfully presented.
Dinner
Often includes fish, meat, and vegetables, but vegetarian options are available.
Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot)
A Kyoto specialty featuring tofu simmered in a light kombu (kelp) broth, often served with vegetables and condiments.
Lunch/Dinner
Vegetarian-friendly, can be made vegan if broth is vegetable-based.
Matcha Desserts
Kyoto is famous for its high-quality matcha (green tea) powder, used in various desserts like ice cream, parfaits, and wagashi (traditional sweets).
Dessert
Vegetarian and vegan options available.
Obanzai
Home-style Kyoto dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, often featuring vegetables, fish, and tofu.
Lunch/Dinner
Can be adapted to various dietary preferences.
Popular Activities
Hiking in the mountains
Cycling through the countryside
Rafting on the Hozu River
Onsen (hot spring) visits
Tea ceremonies
Scenic walks in gardens and parks
Temple and shrine visits
Traditional tea ceremonies
Best Time to Visit
March to May (Spring), October to November (Autumn)
Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and are the best times to visit for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. These seasons also see the highest tourist volumes.
15°C to 25°C (Spring), 10°C to 20°C (Autumn)
59°F to 77°F (Spring), 50°F to 68°F (Autumn)
Practical Information
Language
- Official: Japanese
- Widely spoken: English (limited)
- English: Limited/Rare
Currency
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Time Zone
JST (UTC+9)
Electricity
100VV, 50/60HzHz
Safety Information
Overall Safety Rating: Very safe
Kyoto is a very safe city with a low crime rate. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is uncommon. However, as with any tourist destination, it's important to take basic precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Important Precautions:
- • Keep valuables secure and out of sight
- • Be cautious of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas
- • Use reputable tour operators and taxis
Getting there
By air
- Kansai International Airport • 115 km from Kyoto
- Osaka International Airport (Itami) • 40 km from Kyoto
By train
Kyoto Station
By bus
Kyoto Station Bus Terminal
Getting around
Public transport
Buses are the most extensive and affordable way to get around Kyoto. They cover most areas of the city and are especially useful for reaching temples and shrines.
Taxis
Available • Apps: JapanTaxi, INDRIVER
Rentals
Car, Bike, Scooter
Neighborhoods
Gion
Higashiyama
Arashiyama
Downtown Kyoto (Shijo-Kawaramachi)
Day trips
Nara
40 km from Kyoto • Half day to full day
Nara is a historic city known for its ancient temples, shrines, and the famous Nara Park, home to hundreds of free-roaming deer.
Uji
20 km from Kyoto • Half day
Uji is a small city known for its historic temples, beautiful riverside scenery, and high-quality matcha (green tea).
Kurama and Kibune
25 km from Kyoto • Full day
Kurama and Kibune are two neighboring villages in the mountains north of Kyoto, known for their hot springs, hiking trails, and scenic beauty.
Festivals
Gion Matsuri • July (main events on July 17th and 24th)
Jidai Matsuri • October 22nd
Aoi Matsuri • May 15th
Pro tips
- Visit popular attractions like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
- Consider purchasing a Kyoto City Bus Pass or other transportation passes to save money on getting around the city.
- Try local specialties like yudofu (tofu hot pot), matcha desserts, and obanzai (home-style Kyoto dishes).
- Explore the city's many temples and shrines, but don't forget to take time to enjoy the natural beauty of Kyoto's gardens and parks.
- Learn a few basic Japanese phrases to enhance your experience and show respect for local customs and traditions.
From $25
per person
Price varies by option
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