Kyoto Nishiki Market Tour

Organized by Anne and Lauren
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Summary
Highlights
Experience Details
Experience Location
Reviews
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Duration
3 hours
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Number of Guests
2 - 10 guests
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Accessibility
Family-friendly
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Language
Japanese, English
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Other
Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescetarian, With green tea, With lunch

Immerse yourself in Nishiki Market, a thriving hub of delicious smells, sounds, and sights, where food lovers from all walks of life collide.

Highlights

  • Visit family-owned shops and stalls to sample local and seasonal food

  • Interact with local craftspeople and street vendors, hearing stories about the history and culture of the culinary hub of Nishiki Market from our local guide

  • Fresh seafood, local snacks and tastings, and other specialty items are just a few things you will taste and learn about from your local guide.

  • 3-hour walking food tour in the world-famous Nishiki Market.

  • Explore the building blocks of what makes Japanese food special and why this historic cuisine has been given UNESCO World Heritage Status.

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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

Nishiki Market, nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” is the beating heart of Kyoto’s food scene. People from all walks of life, from grandparents to children, street vendors to wholesalers, all come together to buy, sell, and celebrate Kyoto’s local produce, sizzling street food, and traditional crafts. There’s an abundance of local Kyoto specialties, like tofu, tsukemono (pickles), and sweets to be tried from little family-run shops. With an overwhelming amount to see, smell, and taste, the local guide will help you wind your way through the crowds and introduce you to Kyoto’s hidden gems. You’ll learn about the journey of these local specialties after they’re plucked from the ground, find out about how they make their way to Nishiki Market, and how they can be used in various recipes.


With over 400 years of history, food lovers and history buffs alike will be awed by Nishiki Market and the local people who are responsible for its spirited and lively atmosphere. Come along on this Nishiki Market Tour to experience the treasures of Kyoto’s most celebrated market. A street food paradise, your eyes will feast upon colorful pickles, adorable hand-crafted wagashi (Japanese sweets), smoky skewers of meat, and silky blocks of tofu. Then, you’ll get a chance to try these Kyoto delicacies for yourself! Handcrafted and engraved chopsticks and the glint of high-end Aritsugu knives might catch your eye, and so will the gorgeous Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, built over 1000 years ago, glowing with lanterns.

Inclusions

  • Seasonal and regional lunch and food tastings at the market included

  • Visit around 10 market vendors and taste the flavors of Kyoto

  • Japanese tea included

  • Shopping time

Exclusions

  • Hotel pick-up not included

  • Gratuity

  • Transportation costs

  • Additional drinks or food (not included but possible to purchase at guest expense)

Meeting Point and Meeting Time

  • Meet-up details will be sent to your provided email address once your booking is confirmed.

Remarks

  • The food tour starts strictly on time. If guests do not arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, the tour will begin regardless, and no refund shall be given.

  • Please wear comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.

Read more

Experience Location

Nishiki Market is made up by over 130 shopfronts and restaurants spread across 5 blocks. Known as the “Kitchen of Kyoto” for over 400 years, the market sells all kinds of regional produce and locally-made goods. Visiting Nishiki Market makes for a wonderful sensory overload: feeding the eyes with colorful produce, stimulating the nose with the aroma of street food, and tantalizing the taste buds with fresh seafood and delicious local sake. Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine lies at the eastern end of Nishiki Market, intersecting the equally-as-long Teramachi Shopping Arcade.

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What People Are Saying
Overall ratings and reviews
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(6)
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Isaac PugaPhillips
September 30, 2024
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Fun way to experience the market and try some new foods. Having visited markets in Tokyo and Osaka prior, we didn’t expect to be surprised but our guide catered the tour to our taste/experience and...read more

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Holley
June 18, 2024
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We did the Kyoto Nishiki Market tour and had a great time thanks to our local guide Micky who was very adept at navigating the crowded market. Lots of food to both look at and taste ending with a w...read more

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merran karen
April 02, 2024
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A great experience! We loved the tour and our guide shared his enthusiasm for the delights of Kyoto's colourful , vibrant market. A real foodie tour !

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Lillian Bartha
May 21, 2023
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We had a lovely morning and lunch with Mickey,our guide from ByFood. She is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Japanese food and it was a pleasure to spend time with her on May 17th. We high...read more

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Aaron D.
September 23, 2019
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Gave a good background about culture and history, this tour was good to orient ourselves and be introduced to Kyoto (and its culture) as a starting point. Having guidance was useful and our guides ...read more

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Earliest available date: April 1, 2025
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Please note that the time is in Japan Standard Time.
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Free cancellation (48 hours notice)
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
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