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Offered languages
- English
Discover the heart of Kyoto’s food culture on a private guided tour through the famous Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.”
Your local guide will take you through narrow alleys filled with traditional shops offering everything from pickles and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) to unique Kyoto ingredients that have been loved for generations.
After enjoying your shopping, visit Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a hidden gem located at the end of the market, where you can experience a peaceful moment of prayer.
Then, return to your hotel with your purchases and enjoy a cozy meal together — our Japanese staff will prepare steamed rice and miso soup, so you can savor your market finds at a relaxed pace.
To finish the experience, you’ll be served matcha green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet, the perfect ending to a flavorful and cultural journey through Kyoto.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your guide will meet you at the front desk of Hostel Inn Kyoto Gion. By Train: About 8 min walk from Sanjo Keihan Station. Cross Sanjo Bridge, walk along Shinmonzen-dori toward Hanamikoji Street. By Taxi: Ask for “Hostel Inn Kyoto Gion, near Shinmonzen-dori and Hanamikoji Street.”
Itinerary
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1
Explore Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s most famous shopping street known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Walk through narrow alleys lined with over 100 local shops offering fresh seafood, traditional pickles, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), sweets, and local delicacies. You’ll have the chance to sample foods, chat with friendly shop owners, and learn about Kyoto’s long culinary traditions from your local guide. This lively market is a feast for the senses — colorful displays, delicious aromas, and a truly local atmosphere. You’ll discover how Kyoto’s food culture has been passed down for generations, making Nishiki Market a must-see destination for food lovers from around the world.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
2
What To Expect – Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine At the end of Nishiki Market, you’ll visit Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a small yet sacred Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of learning and wisdom. This peaceful spot offers a calm escape from the lively market atmosphere. Here, you can offer a prayer, draw a fortune slip (omikuji), and experience a moment of quiet reflection surrounded by traditional Japanese architecture. The shrine’s unique feature is its stone torii gate, which seems to rise right out of the surrounding buildings — a symbol of harmony between Kyoto’s old traditions and modern city life. It’s a meaningful way to end your market adventure and connect with the spiritual heart of Kyoto.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
What To Expect – Dining Experience at Gion Hostel Inn After shopping and sightseeing, you’ll return to our cozy Hostel Inn in Gion, one of Kyoto’s most charming districts. Here, you’ll enjoy a truly Japanese-style meal made with the ingredients you personally selected at Nishiki Market. Our friendly Japanese staff will prepare steamed rice and miso soup, and you’ll sit together around the table, just like a Japanese family, sharing and tasting the foods you discovered. It’s a warm and intimate experience that brings Kyoto’s food culture to life in the most personal way. To complete your journey, you’ll be served matcha green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet, a relaxing finale to a day filled with flavor, culture, and connection.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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