Nishiki Market & Gion District Food Tour (Kyoto) – Half Day

Take a break from all that temple hopping and deep dive into contemporary Kyoto culture – food culture, that is! We’ll assemble downtown in front of the Kyoto Daimaru department store and head to our first stop: Nishiki Market.

At the center of town, Nishiki Market is a bustling lane dedicated mainly to local delicacies the likes of yuba (tofu skin), rice balls, and fried fish cakes. You’re in for a major foodgasm as we sample uniquely Kyoto dishes from the traditional (Japanese omelet) to the radical (Japanese pike conger eel)! Wash it all down with a gulp of sake and we’re ready to power through the rest of the day!

Sample Menu

• Yuba (Tofu skin)
• Onigiri (Rice Ball)
• Fried fish cake
• Hamo (Daggertooth pike conger)
• Japanese omelet
• Sake (High Quality Daiginjyo)
• Japanese sweets

*Menu subject to change depending on the season

Exploring the covered passageways of the market district is next on the agenda. We’ll walk through Pontocho Street, one of Kyoto's most atmospheric areas. The traditional alley is one of the few that still hold geisha maiko houses.

We’ll also hit Teramachi Street, the city’s most popular covered shopping arcade; Shijo Street chock-a-block with shops, department stores, restaurants and traditional handicraft stores; and the historical Kiyamachi Street – Kyoto's biggest nightlife strip.

We’ll end the tour at 2pm at Gion’s Hanami-koji Street, leaving you with more than enough time to explore the district at your own pace! (Try Kyoto Tower or Higashi Hongan-ji temple!)