A Guide to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market

A Guide to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market (also known as Nishiki Ichiba) is a historic retail market in Kyoto. Foodies will absolutely love visiting this place, as there are so many Kyoto specialties to sample and buy, from Japanese sweets to dried seafood to pickled vegetables and a lot more!

Shop for Tasty Foods and More at Nishiki Market in Kyoto

Shop for Tasty Foods and More at Nishiki Market in Kyoto

A long and narrow shopping arcade, Nishiki Market is lined with more than 100 shops and restaurants. You will be spoilt for choice as you can find all sorts of food related things here such as fresh seafood and produce, Kyoto specialties, and even cookware.

Almost everything sold here is locally produced and procured. Exploring this place is one of the best ways to know more about Kyoto’s famous local delicacies. Eat to your heart’s content from all the samples you can taste and ready-made foods you can buy at the small eating establishments. 

Shop for Tasty Foods and More at Nishiki Market in Kyoto

So, if you love to eat and would like to have a very local experience of acquiring food stuff, then make sure to check out Nishiki Market! You can easily spend half a day here as you fawn over the yummy fare. 

Opening hours: Usually 9.30am - 6pm, varies by shop. Closed on Wednesdays or Sundays, varies by shop

Spot information

  • Spot name: Nishiki Market/ Nishiki Ichiba
  • Street address: Nshiki Komichi Tori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8054
  • Access: About 10 minutes’ walk from Shijo Station, and 2 minutes’ walk from Shijotakakura Bus Stop

Stay at the Hotels near Nishiki Market in Kyoto

Stay at the Hotels near Nishiki Market in Kyoto
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

If you would like to stay somewhere near Nishiki Market, then consider the choices below, which have great reviews:

Aoi Hotel Kyoto (4-Star)

Aoi Hotel offers guests the opportunity of experiencing Kyoto like a local. You will be in awe as a few of the rooms are furnished with antique folding screens, Ukiyo-e paintings and a display of a truly Japanese architecture style.

Some rooms even have an amazing view of Kamogawa River and Higashiyama Mountain, so, take your pick and soak in the prefecture’s natural beauty. As it’s a luxury hotel, you can expect to pay from ¥20,000 to ¥1,000,000 per night for a room. If you don’t mind the price, then definitely consider staying here!

Spot information

  • Spot name: Aoi Hotel Kyoto
  • Street address: 146 Tenno-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8013
  • Access: About 4 minutes’ walk from Kawaramachi Station, and 9 minutes’ walk from Nishiki Market

Kyoto Himawari Shijo Kawaramachi (2-Star)

Staying at Himawari will be like staying at a traditional Japanese Inn (ryokan) but much cheaper. This smoke-free guest house has rooms provided with tatami mats and futons. With a garden view in every room, you will have a relaxing stay here.

The guest rooms are fitted with a coffee machine, while some include a kitchenette with a microwave and toaster. Rates for a standard room go from ¥4,500 to ¥5,500 for 1 pax, and ¥7,000 to ¥8,200 for 2 pax; reasonable for an authentically Japanese experience!

Spot information

  • Spot name: Kyoto Himawari Shijo Kawaramachi
  • Street address: 103 Tominokoji-dori Nushiya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8053
  • Access: About 6 minutes’ walk from Shijo Station, and 4 minutes’ walk from Nishiki Market

The Millennials Kyoto (2-Star)

The Millennials is a very unique capsule hotel. It has ‘smart’ capsule units equipped with beds that can recline into sofas, which includes storage space underneath, and some units even have a projector that can be connected to the guests’ mobile devices to become a home theater!

There’s a lounge where you can relax and socialise with others, as well as a workspace and communal kitchen with a dining area. There’s also free breakfast everyday, free beer from 5.30pm till 6.30pm daily, and 24-hour free flow of coffee.

Rates for the units go from ¥3,600 for a single bed capsule to ¥7,000 for an adjoining capsule with 2 single beds. So, if you are looking for an unconventional stay during your trip, then look into this place!

Spot information

  • Spot name: The Millennials Kyoto
  • Street address: 235 Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8032
  • Access: About 5 minutes’ walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, and 7 minutes’ walk from Nishiki Market

How to Get to Nishiki Market from Kyoto Station

Getting to Nishiki Market from Kyoto Station is easy, and doesn’t take much time at all. Below are two options:

  1. From Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line to Shijo Station, then it’s an 8-minute walk to Nishiki Market. Travel time: about 11 minutes. Cost: ¥210.
  2. From Kyoto Station, take the Shiei 5 (市営5) bus to Shijotakakura Bus Stop, then it’s a 4-minute walk to Nishiki Market. Travel time: about 22 minutes. Cost: ¥230. 

You can obtain more info on how to get there from the general Tourist Information Centre that’s located on the 2nd floor of the station. The multilingual staff will be able to assist you!

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