Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Discover Nishiki Market on this 90-minute walking tour from a local perspective. Explore Kyoto’s food traditions, centuries-old family-run shops, hidden alleys, and historic shrines while meeting the people who keep this famous market alive.
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki has been at the heart of the city’s food culture for centuries. Walk through its lively arcade with a locally connected guide and discover traditional ingredients, Kyoto specialities, long-established shops, and the stories behind them.
Leave the busy market to explore quieter alleyways and a historic shrine before continuing to Pontocho, one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric districts. Learn about local customs, traditional culture, and everyday life, with the possibility of glimpsing a geiko or maiko.
Finish beside the Kamo River, a favourite gathering place for locals.
This is not a tasting tour, but a local walk offering a deeper connection to Kyoto’s food, people, traditions, history, and hidden corners.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide in front of the Silver Monument at the Nishiki Street entrance of Daimaru Kyoto Department Store.
The tour concludes at the edge of Pontocho, along the banks of the Kamo River.
Itinerary
-
1Nishiki Market Shopping District
Explore Nishiki Market, Kyoto's famous "Kitchen of Kyoto," where over 400 years of culinary tradition comes alive through local delicacies, seasonal specialties, and vibrant market culture.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Nishiki Tenmangu
Step into Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a tranquil sanctuary nestled in the heart of downtown Kyoto, offering a glimpse into the city's spiritual heritage.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Pontocho
Explore the narrow lanes of Pontocho, a historic geisha district renowned for its traditional charm, vibrant nightlife, and riverside dining along the Kamo River.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible, though some paths are uneven and narrow. Assistance may be required.
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible, though some paths are uneven and narrow. Assistance may be required.
- A variety of local snacks are sold at the market. Guests with food allergies should consult their guide before purchasing or sampling any food.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
