Nishiki Market

Name: Nishiki Market
Address: Higashiuoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
Rating: 4.3

4.3 MarketTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Nishiki Market, often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen," is a vibrant and bustling marketplace in Kyoto. This narrow, five-block-long shopping street is lined with more than a hundred shops and restaurants, offering an array of food items that reflect the culinary culture of Kyoto.

Walking through Nishiki Market, you'll be enveloped in a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. The market is a food lover's paradise, where you can find everything from fresh seafood and seasonal produce to local specialties like Kyoto pickles, Japanese sweets, and matcha-flavored snacks. Many stalls offer free samples or sell small portions, allowing you to taste various local flavors as you explore.

Nishiki Market isn't just a place to buy food; it's an experience that offers a deep dive into Kyoto's food culture. You can watch local chefs artfully prepare dishes, learn about the ingredients unique to Kyoto's cuisine, and even grab a quick meal at one of the market's many eateries.

Hours:

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Daily)

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

No entry fee to visit Nishiki Market

Phone

+81 75-211-3882

Website

www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp

The area

Address

Higashiuoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Nishiki Market

We visited this market in Kyoto and it was amazing! So many different kinds of food and shops to explore. The street food quality was excellent — everything we tried was delicious. It can get a bit crowded, but that’s part of the charm. If you’re in Kyoto, this is definitely a must-visit spot!”

Delvia Asyari

Oct 7, 2025

Even though it was packed with tourists, this market felt like a snapshot of Japan all in one place. There were stalls selling Kobe and Wagyu beef—I definitely didn’t get enough of it! The variety was incredible. You could find everything from authentic knife shops and beautifully crafted chopsticks to countless food stalls and dining spots. Shopping and snacking options were everywhere. It does get crowded, so expect to brush past people often. And remember one important rule: don’t walk while eating. Most stalls expect you to enjoy your food right where you bought it, at the designated spot.

Lawrence Naidu

Oct 10, 2025

We came to Nishiki Market kinda late, around 6pm. Many shops have closed or about to close. But maybe because of that it wasn't too crowded. We were able to do a quick food tour and tried a few quick food stands, and some of them were pretty good. The hard part is knowing what to order, some of it were able to talk to a vendor in English, point at the sample, or use translator. But in general it's hard, especially if it's crowded. We mostly walked around and crashed to whatever stand we felt like it. But it's better to do homework and hit the popular food stand And I would go earlier.

Trang Thu

Oct 8, 2025

Be prepared to walk very slowly and in close proximity to a ton of other tourists (mainly) and locals. But it’s definitely worth a visit when in Kyoto because it’s so colourful, lively and filled with interesting and varied food choices (although most things are fried and look rather unhealthy or greasy). Didn’t really see fresh vegetables or fruits, so not really a “market” in that sense.

André Marques

Oct 17, 2025

Since it continued to rain, we amended our plans and visit this place instead. You can find a lot of items here as it functions like a wet market with fish and vegetable stalls as well as fresh fruits and flowers. There are a abundance of small stalls selling good quality and delicious food as well as souvenirs and gifts for tourists to buy. We snacked our way around the market from sushi to gyoza and from chicken karaage to grilled beef. It was a good place to be during a rainy morning. Although the market is vast, it can get very crowded so one way to best the crowd is to visit early in the day. Most of the transactions here are done in cash so it would be preferable to be prepared.