Cultural Immersion: Experiencing a Traditional Market in Kyoto

Planning a trip to Kyoto (京都)? Don't miss Nishiki Market (錦市場 Nishiki Ichiba⭐), a vibrant food market steeped in history!

A 400-Year Legacy

Nishiki Market boasts a rich tradition dating back over 400 years. To get a glimpse of this bustling marketplace, check out this video.

Finding Your Way Around

This map, courtesy of the Nishiki Market Shopping Street Promotion Association, will guide you. Look for "錦市場 商店街" (Nishiki Market) on the map. While there are several covered shopping arcades in the area (between Sanjo and Shijo streets), Nishiki Market is unique - it's dedicated entirely to food!

From Gion-Shijo Station to Nishiki

The above map shows Nishiki Market stretching roughly 5 to 6 blocks from east to west. Here's how to get there from Gion-Shijo Station:

1. Head West: Walk west from Gion-Shijo Station.
2. Turn Right at Teramachi Dori: Once you reach Teramachi Dori (street), turn right. You'll enter a covered shopping arcade with a white roof - this is Teramachi Shopping Street.
3. Look for the Colorful Roof: Continue walking for a few minutes. You'll see another covered shopping street with a distinctive yellow, red, and blue roof. Take a left here! This vibrant entrance marks the beginning of Nishiki Market (錦市場).

Get There by Bus and Train

Here are the different train lines in Kyoto, which are run by different railways companies.

Based on the Association's information here, there are different ways to reach Nishiki Market:

• City Bus No 5 Line (市バス5系統)
• Get off at Takakura Dori Stop ( 四条高倉) which is in front of Daimaru Department Store (大丸百貨店) and walk for 2 mins
• Karasuma Subway Line (地下鉄烏丸線)
• Get off at Shijo Karasuma Station (四条駅) and walk for 3 mins
• Tozai Subway Line (地下鉄東西線)
• Get off at Kyotoshiyakusho-Mae Station (京都市役所前 駅) and walk for 10 mins
• Hankyu Railways (阪急京都線)
• Get off at Karasuma Station (烏丸駅) and walk for 3 mins
• Get off at Karawamachi Station (河原町駅) and walk for 4 mins
• Keihan Raiways (京阪本線)
• Get off at Sanjo Station (三条駅) and walk for 15 mins
• Get off at Gion-Shijo Station (四条駅) and walk for 10 mins

References

1. Kyoto Street Food Guide: Nishiki Ichiba Market 京都錦市場買い食い ★ WAO✦RYU!TV ONLYinJAPAN #40 (video)
• Food items mentioned in this video:
• Eel liver (うなぎ のきも)
• Soy milk donut (豆乳ドーナツ)
• Matcha Warabi Mochi (抹茶わらび餅)
• Boiled Japanese Conger eel (Ike Hamo)
• Baby octopus egg head on a stick (Tako Tamago)
• Matcha soft ice cream cone (宇治抹茶アイスクリーム / Uji matcha aisukurīmu)
2. Nishiki market shopping street promotion association
• How to get there (in Japanese)
3. How to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo (japan-guide.com)