Nishiki Market - Kyoto's Kitchen

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Facts & Figures

Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba), also called Kyoto’s Kitchen (Kyoto no daidokoro), is a narrow and approximately 400 meters long (five blocks) bustling shopping street packed with 130 vendors. These restaurants and shops offer everything related to food and kitchen equipment like knives, personalized chopsticks, tableware, etc… It is a very popular spot for locals and tourists in downtown Kyoto. Many stores are owned by the same families for generations. You will find any kind of fresh seafood like skewered octopus head, tofu skin (yuba), sweets, pickled vegetables, tea, and much more. One of the Kyoto specialties is sweetish (fried aye), which tastes amazing. Nishiki Market plays a big role in the city’s culinary culture and many unique ingredients can only be found here. Many chefs of high-end restaurants come here for their daily shopping. Be aware it can get really crowded over the day and this small passage (3.3 to 5 meters wide) fits only 3 to 4 people side by side.

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• Nishiki Market:
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Closed - some stalls are closed on Wednesday and Sunday
• Admission Fee - free

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History

More than 400 years ago, in 1615, Nishiki Market in Kyoto started as an open-air fish market with the permission of the Bakufu government, often known as the Edo shogunate. The famous Japanese painter Ito Jakuchu (1716 – 1800) was born here as a child of a greengrocery wholesaler family. In 1928, the market became known as Kyoto’s Kitchen because more and more shops moved here and offered vegetables, fruits, meats, and other food-related products. The decision to install a huge arcade canopy in 1993 was to protect people from bad weather. Nishiki Market was registered as a trademark in 2005.

Sightseeing spots

Top:

The roof of Nishi Market - The roof with its red, yellow, and green colors is a unique sight. It became very popular on Instagram.

Best food to try - Prepare your taste bubbles for a feast and try/buy: Dried fish, Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), Tsukemono (pickled vegetables), fresh tofu, Kyo-yasai (Kyoto vegetables), Wagashi (Japanese sweets), Furikake (rice toppings), Tako-tamago (octopus-egg), and much more. But try not everything at once ;)

Kyo no Onikudokoro Hiro - It is a very popular shop where you can buy meat dishes. My recommendation try out their lunch menus with steaks….oishi :)

Nishiki Ichiha - Here you can buy everything related to Kyoto tea sweets. You have to taste their delicious ice cream.

Kitchen Yuzen - They offer a huge selection of Kyoto-style chopsticks. It is the perfect souvenir/gift for yourself or friends and family.

Festival & Events in Kyoto (dates can change without notice)

April

Miyako Odori (1st - 31th)
The traditional annual spring dance of the Kyoto district Gion Kobu performed by Geiko and Maiko is a must-see on your Kyoto visit. Don't miss the most popular dances the Miyako Odori "Cherry Blossom Dances" or "Dances of the Old Capital" at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater (located close to Gion Corner).

May

Aoi Matsuri (15th)
The highlight of this festival is a large parade from the Imperial Palace through the Shimogamo Shrine to the Kamigamo Shrine. More than 500 people wearing aristocratic costumes from the Heian Period (794 - 1185). The Aoi Matsuri belongs with the Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri as the three most famous festivals in Kyoto.

June

Aoba Matsuri (Green Leaf Festival) at Chishaku-in (15th)
The festival is an ancient ritual of followers of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, which is called Yamabushi. They participate in a series of ceremonies like celebrating the birth of founder Kobo-Daishi (744 - 835).

July

Gion Matsuri (whole month)
The month of July is full of different events like the Yoiyama - Kyoto's Magical Night (locals in kimonos look at the giant Gion floats the day before the parade) or the famous Yamaboko Junko (float procession on the 17th of July).

October

Jidai Matsuri ("Festival of Ages") (22nd)
People celebrate with a large parade between Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. App. 2000 participants wearing historical costumes from different time periods. Enjoy this great festival which lasts around 2 hours.