Everyone has heard about Nishiki Market before. It’s in all those must-visit Kyoto lists, and it’s so famous it even shows up in music videos around the world!
Stretching for around 400 metres, this covered street has been the beating heart of Kyoto’s food culture for over 400 years. It is indeed a must-stop for foodies in Japan and travellers who want to experience good food in a traditional area, or simply stroll around and grab dessert.
As a bespoke travel agency, we at Flip Japan have tried almost everything there is around Nishiki Market, so today we will be showing you how to enjoy this busy spot and what things you cannot miss! Whether you’re an adventurous eater, a casual grazer, or someone who just loves to wander, Nishiki is the perfect mix of tradition, taste, and discovery.
And if you still feel like there are too many options, all of which look incredibly tasty, you can always check our guided tours. Our local guides would love to show you exactly where to go and what you should try!
Why Nishiki Market Is Worth a Visit
This isn’t just a market, it’s a living museum of Kyoto’s food culture. Nishiki began as a fish market in the early 1600s, but it has grown into a bustling corridor lined with over 120 shops and stalls. What makes it so special is the dedication of the vendors: many stalls have been run by the same families for generations, each specialising in just one thing done to perfection.
One shop might sell nothing but sesame seeds. Another might focus entirely on tsukemono (Japanese pickles). Others are experts in tofu, yuba (tofu skin), or knives for Kyoto’s many chefs.
Everywhere you look, there’s something to taste, smell, and learn. Even if you’re not looking for anything specific and just want to take a look around, Nishiki is very well situated, so you can hop in and out of it on your way to other attractions!
Rules of Nishiki
Now, first things first, there’s one important rule to remember when snacking your way through Nishiki Market: no eating while walking. Instead, you’re expected to stop and enjoy your food right in front of the shop where you bought it. Most stalls don’t have seating, so you’ll likely be standing as you eat, but it’s all part of the market’s friendly, communal feel.
Once you’ve finished, don’t wander off with your rubbish! Each vendor has their own specific bin for the packaging they provide, so you should hand back skewers, wrappers, or cups to the same stall. This simple bit of etiquette keeps Nishiki tidy and welcoming for everyone.
Otherwise, it’ll be really easy to bump against someone and squish your expensive wagyu skewer on their shirt, since the streets here are narrow and packed!
Visiting Nishiki as a Vegan/Vegetarian
Nishiki Market is a dream for tofu lovers. Scattered along the bustling arcade, you’ll find shops entirely dedicated to tofu in all its forms: from silky-soft blocks to firmer, grilled varieties, and even yuba (tofu skin, a must-try when you visit Kyoto) delicacies.
Some stalls sell fresh tofu to take home, while others offer ready-to-eat bites like skewered tofu brushed with miso. Some shops tucked within the market specialise in tofu-based cuisine, serving up traditional Kyoto-style dishes that highlight the ingredient’s subtle flavours. Visit Nishiki Soya for Tofu delicacies and meals.
For vegetarian travellers, this makes Nishiki a particularly friendly destination, with plenty of satisfying, plant-based options that feel authentically local.
Some shops are also making efforts to increase their vegan products, and there is also a vegan restaurant where they make use of Kyoto’s traditional ingredients to prepare Japanese food. So even if you cannot try all that Nishiki has to offer, you can still enjoy a proper meal while also shopping for that perfect souvenir to take home with you!
Nishiki’s Seafood Paradise
Seafood is one of the biggest highlights at Nishiki Market, and you’ll find it in just about every form imaginable. Many stalls specialise in freshly grilled skewers of squid, scallops, or prawns, cooked right in front of you so you can enjoy them piping hot.
Others serve up oysters on the half shell, sea urchin, and even baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg, a quirky local favourite that’s as photogenic as it is tasty. This is our favourite spot to try most of these options, but you can also try a seafood bowl at Ryoushigoya if you’d like a full meal of delicious fish and rice!
While most of these bites are made for eating on the spot, they give you the chance to taste the incredible freshness of Kyoto’s seafood without sitting down for a full meal.
Even if you’re not the most adventurous eater, there’s something exciting about trying a new flavour here, and seafood lovers will feel like they’ve stepped into a paradise of the ocean’s best offerings.
The Best Wagyu
For meat lovers, Nishiki Market is a dream come true thanks to its mouth-watering wagyu beef offerings. Several stalls grill up tender slices of premium wagyu right in front of you, filling the air with that unmistakable, rich aroma, and some invite you to sit down and try more than one option.
Served on skewers or in small portions, it’s the perfect way to savour the melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery flavour that makes wagyu so famous, without splurging on a full steakhouse meal. There are also various options of sizes and beef grades, so if you’re looking to try all the options to see which one takes “The Best Wagyu” prize, you can absolutely do it here.
Whether you’re looking for a bento box to eat back at your accommodation, some delicious sandwiches to dine in on, or to simply try a skewer and keep walking, this shop has it all. You can also opt to visit this shop instead, as their wagyu and Kobe beef skewers are delicious!
Some vendors even explain where their beef comes from, with options like Kobe or Omi beef, adding an extra layer of appreciation for the craft behind this delicacy.
Tea is Everywhere in Nishiki!
Tea is everywhere at Nishiki Market, and even though you’ll find a lot of Insta-famous snacks and drinks here, tea is more than just a trendy drink; it’s a taste of Kyoto’s culture in its purest form.
Many stalls sell vibrant green matcha powder sourced from nearby Uji, one of Japan’s most famous tea-growing regions, and you can watch shopkeepers carefully whisking it into frothy tea for customers.
You’ll also see an entire world of matcha-flavoured treats, from soft-serve ice cream and sponge cakes to matcha-coated nuts and delicate wagashi sweets. If you’re crazy about matcha flavoured sweets, then you cannot miss Sawawa, a shop that specialises precisely in that!
Some shops even offer ceremonial-grade matcha for those interested in bringing home the real thing for a proper tea ceremony. You can also find many other types of tea, and talk to the vendors about what to try, since the options can sometimes be too many to pick from! Visit this tea shop to stock up on matcha and to try something new!
Whether you’re sipping a freshly made cup as you wander or picking up a small tin of matcha to pack in your suitcase, tasting this rich, slightly bitter tea at Nishiki Market feels like connecting directly with Kyoto’s tea tradition.
Pair Snacking with Some Sake
In between all the snacking and shopping you will likely be doing at Nishiki Market, you can also raise a glass to Kyoto’s brewing traditions with a stop at one of the standing sake bars tucked between the shops.
These casual spots offer a chance to sample a range of local sakes, from crisp and dry to smooth and aromatic, often served in small tasting glasses so you can try more than one. If you are a sake fan, do not miss out on the ¥100 tastings where you can try different sakes and find your favourite without breaking the bank!
Some places even pair their sake with little nibbles like pickles or dried seafood, turning your tasting into a mini feast. You can visit this standing pub for a mix of good drinks and beef skewers.
Whether you’re a sake newcomer or already a fan, this is the perfect way to discover the depth and variety of Japan’s beloved drink right in the heart of Nishiki.
A great place to try different types of Japanese sake is this lovely village, where you will find sake, plum wine, whiskey, Japanese beer and other drinks in a retro and friendly setting. It’s a friendly, no-frills experience—just you, the counter, and a few locals or fellow travellers sharing recommendations.
Souvenir Shopping in Nishiki
Souvenir shopping at Nishiki Market is a joy because the market is packed with shops that go far beyond the usual tourist trinkets. Instead of mass-produced items, you’ll find thoughtful, authentic gifts that really capture Kyoto’s culture.
Many stalls sell beautifully packaged local snacks, like yatsuhashi (cinnamon-flavoured sweets) or matcha treats, which make easy-to-carry gifts. There are also plenty of shops offering tsukemono, dried seafood, and spice mixes like shichimi togarashi—all items locals actually buy for their own kitchens, so they feel special to take home.
For something more special, you can find hand-painted chopsticks at Yuuzen and Mansaku, where you can engrave them for an even more unique look, small ceramics, or even artisanal knives. Kyoto is famous for its blades, and some stalls sell smaller, travel-friendly versions. Check out our favourite shop for knives.
Even the food-related items make great souvenirs: a bag of high-quality tea or a packet of miso paste is both useful and unique. Just remember to check what’s allowed through customs if you’re taking food home, and don’t leave your shopping until late afternoon, as popular items, especially seasonal snacks, often sell out by then!
The Best Hours To Visit Nishiki Market
The best time to visit Nishiki Market depends on the experience you’re after, but timing your trip well can make all the difference. The street itself is always accessible, but most shops are open between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Arriving earlier in the morning, around 10 AM, means you’ll enjoy a quieter, more leisurely stroll through the narrow covered street before the biggest crowds descend. This is the perfect window if you want to take photos without dodging elbows or browse slowly through the incredible variety of goods on offer.
By lunchtime (12–2 PM), the market really comes alive, and this is when the atmosphere is at its most energetic, with sizzling skewers, steaming dumplings, and matcha ice cream being handed out to hungry visitors. It’s exciting but can also feel crowded, so be prepared to shuffle along at a slower pace, or just avoid lunchtime if you’re not a fan of crowds, since this is a narrow street.
You can also visit later in the evening, but please keep in mind that many stalls begin closing up by 5 or 6 PM, and some of the freshest items, especially seafood or popular snacks, sell out much earlier. If you just want to see the street and snack on one or two things, this is also a great option.
So, if you want to experience all the food without all the people, the sweet spot is to come in the late morning: early enough to beat the heaviest crowds, but late enough that all the shops are open and serving their full range of goods.
Nishiki Market FAQs
Is the food at Nishiki Market overpriced?
Since Nishiki Market prides itself on using quality and local ingredients, the food here is naturally more expensive than what you might find on other streets, yes, but the taste is also guaranteed in most cases.
Do shops at Nishiki market take card?
Definitely bring Cash with you. While many shops take various payment methods, there are still many businesses that are cash only.
Is Nishiki Market indoors?
As a Shopping district, Nishiki market has a cover along the main street, making it perfect to take shelter during sunny and rainy days.
How long does it take to see the market?
It depends if you’re just browsing, snacking or stopping for full meals inside the restaurants, but usually you can see most shops in about an hour with only a couple of stops for snacks.
A Bit Of Everything, All in One Street
From sipping on local sake to tasting freshly made tofu, browsing vibrant stalls for the perfect souvenir, and simply soaking up the sights, sounds, and aromas, every step here feels like an invitation to discover and try something new.
It doesn’t matter if you spend an hour or an entire afternoon wandering its narrow arcade, Nishiki offers an unforgettable glimpse into the flavours and craftsmanship that define Kyoto, and leaves you with both a full stomach and a heart full of memories.
If you want to check what other shops and restaurants will suit your taste, check out Nishiki Market’s official homepage, where you can browse all the shops!
