Guide to Nishiki Market: A Bustling Culinary Haven in Kyoto

When mentioning Kyoto, many people think of Nishiki Market, which is located in the heart of the city. This traditional market, with a history spanning several centuries, is often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen".

It is not only the go-to place for locals to buy fresh ingredients daily but also a popular destination for tourists to experience Kyoto's unique culinary culture.

If you are planning a Japan food tour to Kyoto, take a few minutes to delve into the history and specialties of Nishiki Market to see if it is a place worth exploring.

Is Nishiki Market Worth Visiting

Nishiki Market, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a bustling market with a rich history spanning over 400 years.

Originally an open-air Nishiki fish market, it has now evolved into a five-block-long shopping paradise, home to 130+ vendors. Here, you'll find a variety of fresh seafood and local produce, as well as traditional specialty Kyoto foods such as pickles, yuba, and tamagoyaki.

Visitors to Nishiki Market can indulge in a culinary feast in Japan and experience the rich Japanese culture. The market also offers kitchen utensils, exquisite pottery, arts and crafts, and paper products.

As you stroll through the market, you'll get a taste of the unique charm of daily life in Kyoto.

What to Eat at Nishiki Market

Indulging in culinary delights is one of the reasons to visit Japan for many travelers. Currently, Nishiki Market offers a variety of food beyond seafood, you definitely can't miss the delicious food inside it.

We've summarized some of the market's unique local delicacies for you. Curious to see if there's something you'll love? Check them out!

• Yuba

Yuba is one of the best food at Nishiki Market. It is a thin film that forms on the surface of heated soy milk and is known for its delicate and elastic texture.

Some yuba can be creamy and sticky, while others dry out and turn grayish-white. You can find both types at Nishiki Market.

• Croquette

Originating from France, Croquette in Japan is a fried patty made from mashed potatoes mixed with minced meat and seasonings, coated in breadcrumbs. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, croquettes offer a rich flavor and are typically served with a variety of sauces.

At Nishiki Market, Tonboaji offers freshly fried croquettes, with a specialty being their tofu skin croquettes. These combine yuba with a creamy filling, providing three textures in one bite: the crispy outer layer, the unique texture of yuba, and the soft, creamy filling.

• Senbei

Senbei are traditional Japanese snacks made primarily from rice. They come in various flavors and shapes, ranging from savory to sweet. Senbei are typically made by pressing rice into thin sheets, and then baking or frying them, often with soy sauce, sugar, or other seasonings.

Many stalls in Nishiki Market offer freshly made senbei, which can have a strong flavor, so it's worth trying a couple to find your favorite.

• Tako Tamago

Tako Tamago is a unique snack consisting of a small octopus with a quail egg inside, typically seasoned with a sweet sauce. At Nishiki Market, KAI is a specialty shop for exquisite delicacies and rice toppings, with Tako Tamago being a standout item. The octopus is tender, and the quail egg adds a rich texture.

Other vendors in the market also sell Tako Tamago, so you can try several to experience different flavors.

• Tempura

Tempura is one of the best foods in Japan, which is made by lightly battering and deep-frying vegetables and seafood to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior. The batter is simple, usually made from flour and water.

Many stalls in Nishiki Market offer fresh tempura, such as Marutsune Kamaboko, known for its creamy potato tempura. This dish combines the hearty texture of mashed potatoes with fish paste and a savory creaminess, making it a particularly satisfying treat.

• Grilled Seafood

Nishiki Market has numerous stalls specializing in grilled seafood, including scallops, shrimp, and squid cooked over charcoal and often served with lemon or soy sauce.

Nishiyaki is a popular shop specializing in grilled fish, with their grilled sea bream skewers being a signature item. You can choose between grilled or fried options. If you enjoy oysters, visit Nishiki Tai'an, where you can have them either raw or grilled. They also offer grilled prawns, clams, and other seafood.

• Tsukemono

Tsukemono is a traditional Japanese pickled vegetable, commonly made from cucumbers, cabbage, and daikon radish, pickled in salt or soy sauce for a tangy and crunchy taste.

A specialty of Kyoto is shibazuke, a mix of pickled cucumbers and eggplant. Nishiki Market has numerous tsukemono stalls, each offering different flavors.

• Japanese Sweets

Nishiki Market offers a variety of desserts. Konnamonja is famous for its soy milk matcha ice cream and soy milk donuts. This shop is a branch of the renowned Kyoto tofu store Kyotofu Fujino. Their soy milk donuts may look ordinary, but they have a subtle soybean flavor. The ice cream has a delicate bean taste and a smooth, creamy texture.

For matcha lovers, Nishiki Ichiha offers a range of refined Japanese matcha sweets, including matcha cakes and dango (rice dumplings).

Best Time to Visit Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market's operating hours are typically from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Most shops are closed on Sundays.

As a market, the freshest and most abundant ingredients are available in the morning. If you plan to buy fresh produce or experience the bustling market atmosphere, the best time to visit Nishiki Market is in the morning. However, the market can be quite crowded at that time.

If you prefer fewer crowds and want to stroll around and sample the food at a leisurely pace, the afternoon is a better time to visit. While the selection of ingredients might be slightly reduced, there will be fewer people, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed shopping experience.

How to Get to Nishiki Market

Located in the center of Kyoto, Nishiki Market is conveniently close to Kyoto's subway stations.

Nishiki Market is situated between the Hankyu Kyoto Line's Karasuma Station and Kawaramachi Station. It takes about 3-4 minutes to walk to Nishiki Market from either station.

If you take the Karasuma Subway Line or the Keihan Main Line, get off at Shijo Station, and you'll need to walk 3 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.

Things to Do Around Nishiki Market

When visiting Kyoto, you shouldn't limit yourself to just one place. Many shops near Nishiki Market are worth exploring.

• Getting souvenirs

Japanese knives are renowned for their quality worldwide, and if you're looking to buy some kitchen tools, you can visit the Nishiki Market knife store, Aritsugu Knives. It offers a variety of knives, including sushi knives, vegetable knives, and meat knives, making it a paradise for professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts. If you like, they can even engrave your initials on the knife.

For those who appreciate handicrafts, Iwai is also nearby. This shop offers a wide range of affordable traditional crafts and accessories, along with beautiful cards, frameable oil paintings, and woodblock prints, making great souvenirs for friends.

• Best Restaurants in Nishiki Market

In addition to the snacks and shops we've mentioned, there are many excellent restaurants within Nishiki Market. If you want to try Japanese udon, you can visit the old establishment Fumiya Nishiki. Their broth is made from a blend of kelp and three types of dried bonito, resulting in a delicate and mellow flavor.

For fresh and delicious sushi, head to Nishiki Market Sushi Shin Main Store. They offer seafood chirashi-zushi, sea bream ochazuke, and omakase, making it perfect for sashimi lovers.

See Also: Mastering the Art of Sushi: A Guide to Authentic Japanese Dining

• Places to Visit

After exploring Nishiki Market, you can visit the nearby Kyoto International Manga Museum. Originally an elementary school, it has been transformed into a museum housing over 300,000 manga volumes, with about 50,000 available for free reading. While most exhibits and readable works are in Japanese, the international section features manga in English and other languages.

In the evening, if you want to go shopping, you can head to the Kawaramachi shopping district. It's just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Nishiki Market. This area is home to department stores like OPA and Takashimaya, as well as clothing stores, and drugstores.

From the Kawaramachi shopping district, you can walk east, cross the Kamo River, and arrive at another landmark, Gion. This area is filled with traditional townhouses. If you're lucky, you might see geishas in training and even catch a Kabuki performance.

Hotels Near Nishiki Market

If you want to stay near Nishiki Market, there are plenty of hotel options to meet your needs, whether you prefer traditional inns or modern, comfortable hotels.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto, located about a 15-minute walk from Nishiki Market, is a luxurious and comfortable 5-star hotel situated within the Kyoto Station building. The hotel boasts comprehensive facilities, including a fitness center, swimming pool, and multiple dining options.

Also about a 15-minute walk from Nishiki Market, Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Premier Kyoto Shijo Karasuma is located in the Kawaramachi area, making shopping very convenient. It is a Capsule Hotel, a type of hotel originated in Japan, which can be fun for first-timers to Japan. Moreover, it's budget-friendly. So, it's an excellent choice for travelers with a limited budget.

FAQs About Nishiki Market

How long to spend at Nishiki Market?

The time you spend at Nishiki Market varies depending on your interests. If you're not particularly interested in shopping or the food they offer, about 1 hour is sufficient to get a basic feel of the market.

However, if you want to sample local delicacies or purchase souvenirs, you'll need at least 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the market's rich offerings.

What's the difference: Kuromon Market vs Nishiki Market?

Kuromon Market is located in Osaka, close to the Shinsaibashi and Namba areas. It is renowned for its fresh seafood, meat, and fruit. It is regarded as a comprehensive market that combines food, shopping, and sightseeing.

In contrast, Nishiki Market in Kyoto not only sells fresh produce but also focuses on traditional Kyoto foods, including yuba (tofu skin), tempura, pickles, and various handcrafted items and kitchenware. It is more reflective of Kyoto's traditional culture and history, offering a unique glimpse into the old Kyoto ambiance.

Indulge in the Culinary Delights of Nishiki Market

In this article, we've introduced various aspects of Nishiki Market, such as its food, nearby attractions, hotels and more. Before you visit, make sure to plan ahead, including your schedule and transportation routes.

If you find planning tedious, consider seeking help from professional teams who can customize your travel itinerary. This way, you can effortlessly arrange visits to all the places you want to see and enjoy.