Nishiki Market Shopping District
Nishiki Market Shopping District
4.2
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
With a 400-year-old history, Nishiki Market is a downtown covered pedestrian arcade lined with 135 open-fronted shops selling seafood, produce, souvenirs, crafts, and Japanese snacks.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Shinkyogoku Shopping District
Those who delight in shopping and cuisine will find themselves at home in Shinkyogoku. Lauded and visited by locals for its Nishiki Market, where baskets of fragrant spices, dried fish, and just-fried foods are piled high along the snaking streets of its enclosed outdoor shopping spaces, Shinkyogoku is not only a hub for fresh fare, but also for fast fashion fixes. Trends-in-the-making can be spotted in the tall windows of several one-of-a-kind stores featuring local labels and modish boutiques. Arcades, outdoor concert spaces, mega department stores, and small, enchanting cafes have sprung up to accommodate the increasing traffic. Whether looking for souvenirs and kitsch on Shinkyogoku Street, or scoping out the massive food court and restaurant floor at Takashimaya Department store, there's something for every wallet or purse, and a buyer for every item.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.2
5,630 reviews
Excellent
2,440
Very good
2,227
Average
777
Poor
133
Terrible
53
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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atwtfan
Maryville, TN11 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Great food, easy to order, almost anything you can think of in the way of Japanese street food. We stoked through on a Tuesday about 3 or 4, perfect time, much less crowded than Sunday evening. Bring lots of cash.
Written December 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orirune
Fukuoka, Japan1,026 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
I went around 9:30 on November 24 (Sun), but the traffic was sparse as the shops were still almost open
We first visited the "Nishikitenmangu Shrine" at the end of the market, had breakfast at a nearby cafe, and came back after 10 o'clock to find it crowded
　
I bought Kyoto pickles, sake, tea, etc., but even if there are many people, shopping at a lively market is fun
It just felt like there were fewer and fewer old fast food restaurants for locals and more fast food restaurants for tourists
I feel a little lonely as it transforms from "Kyoto's Kitchen" to a major tourist attraction in Kyoto.
We first visited the "Nishikitenmangu Shrine" at the end of the market, had breakfast at a nearby cafe, and came back after 10 o'clock to find it crowded
　
I bought Kyoto pickles, sake, tea, etc., but even if there are many people, shopping at a lively market is fun
It just felt like there were fewer and fewer old fast food restaurants for locals and more fast food restaurants for tourists
I feel a little lonely as it transforms from "Kyoto's Kitchen" to a major tourist attraction in Kyoto.
Automatically translated
Written December 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
riversandcreeks
Seattle, WA403 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We had a great time with our family enjoying the various vendor stalls and partaking in the street food. It was a crowded and festive scene that we throughly enjoyed. We had real challenges getting into a restaurant throughout the city (all the dozens of places we tried were full for the evening or had an hours long wait) and this was the one place we could easily find some good food.
Written January 1, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia M
Indianapolis, Indiana502 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Super crowded between 1:30-3 pm and all stands still cooking. Many serve similar foods but at different price and quality levels, so I would recommend starting at one end, seeing what looks good, and figuring out the price point and quality you prefer before going back to the places that looked best. We tasted wagyu beef skewers at 2 different places and quality varied wildly. We also tried eel tempura, fatty tuna sushi, roll chicken on a skewer, strawberry and red bean paste mochi. Not all places let you take photos, and you're expected to eat at the stand where you buy the food--do not walk and eat. They had other shops too but the freshly cooked food is the big draw. Super touristy but fun.
Written January 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean H
Melbourne, Australia289 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
I feel for the locals. This beautiful series of long covered laneways with stalls and food vendors alongside is currently swarming with tourists. As independent travellers, it’s quite a challenge to navigate your own way carefully past hordes of group tours as well as other tourists wheeling their suitcases along alleys no wider than two abreast. If you are lucky you might get to see some of the produce and work on display, or even browse quickly without being mowed down by a heavy suitcase or selfie-toting group tour. Signs everywhere ask tourists to eat at the stall and not while walking outside, but clearly that polite request goes unnoticed or uncared for. I’d advise going when few others are there so you can enjoy the experience.
Written October 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigFamily78
Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse, France537 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
A visit is essential. It is a very lively place, very large and a large part dedicated to food and particularly seafood products. Many stalls serving their cooked products and the mere sight of them will make you have a good time. It's usually crowded. To eat on site, almost no place to sit. You have to like eating standing up... King crab, oysters or giant prawns are quite expensive. And we also find abalone which is so difficult to find in France.
Written May 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Australia
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Great market for foodies and people looking to immerse themselves into the local culture. Lots of seafood, tempura, sake, sweets and souvenirs at reasonable price on offer. Recommend trying wagyu gyozas, fresh salmon sashimi and black sesame ice cream! Go early in the day before lunch to avoid crowds.
Written January 16, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya T.
Illinois1,713 contributions
May 2024 • Family
We walked through this market shortly after it opened, which is probably the best time to avoid the crowds. In less than two hours, it became packed, and we could barely move through the aisles, especially near the entrance. Take advantage of the side streets if you need to move quickly from one end to the other or if you want to reach a specific store.
There are plenty of food stalls, but most have standing room only. Waste bins are not plentiful, so it's best to dispose of garbage where you make purchases. Finding public restrooms can also be challenging – we had to locate the nearest convenience store like FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, or Lawson's.
Overall, it's a great experience, and you can find nice souvenirs. The further you venture into the market and onto side aisles, the better the deals tend to be. I noticed that prices for food and souvenirs were generally higher near the entrance.
To summarize:
Go early to avoid crowds
Use side streets for quicker navigation
Be prepared for limited seating at food stalls
Dispose of trash at point of purchase
Find restrooms at nearby convenience stores
Hunt for better deals deeper into the market
Despite the potential challenges, it's definitely worth exploring this vibrant market for an authentic local experience and great bargains on souvenirs and street food!
There are plenty of food stalls, but most have standing room only. Waste bins are not plentiful, so it's best to dispose of garbage where you make purchases. Finding public restrooms can also be challenging – we had to locate the nearest convenience store like FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, or Lawson's.
Overall, it's a great experience, and you can find nice souvenirs. The further you venture into the market and onto side aisles, the better the deals tend to be. I noticed that prices for food and souvenirs were generally higher near the entrance.
To summarize:
Go early to avoid crowds
Use side streets for quicker navigation
Be prepared for limited seating at food stalls
Dispose of trash at point of purchase
Find restrooms at nearby convenience stores
Hunt for better deals deeper into the market
Despite the potential challenges, it's definitely worth exploring this vibrant market for an authentic local experience and great bargains on souvenirs and street food!
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kikki
Auckland, New Zealand372 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
Very busy market with loads of stores of all different types, including food and drink. It is huge. My terrible navigation skills meant the great shop I saw yesterday would not be found the next day. That was disappointing!
It is really busy here, which is the main pain point. If you go around 4pm, crowds seem lighter than other times.
It is really busy here, which is the main pain point. If you go around 4pm, crowds seem lighter than other times.
Written February 24, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WonderingNut
Spanaway, WA241 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
I love this market. So much to see so much to eat and not enough time. We came to the market the first day we arrived in Kyoto. by the time we navigated our way around to the market, it only left us three hours to enjoy the market. Definitely not enough time. This is a place to go first thing in the morning and spend most of the day wandering up and down all the side passages as well.
Written June 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes some of the shops attendants are speaking good english
Written January 17, 2020
What are the operating hours? Is there a night market?
Written October 2, 2019
People start opening stalls around 9 am and starts winding down between 4:30 and 5. By 5:30 it's pretty quiet and most things are closed. However there do seem to be a few shops in the market that stay open a little longer.
Written October 3, 2019
I understand that it is not polite to eat while you are walking. Are there tables or chairs to sit at to eat the food you purchase at the stalls? Where do people eat the food they purchase since they cannot eat it as they walk?
Written August 15, 2019
A number of the stalls have a few chairs for sitting and eating. Most people stood by the stall where they purchased their food and enjoyed their selection while people-watching.
Written August 16, 2019
zvikashoss
Rishon Lezion, Israel
What is the best place to buy a very good knife for bread and for general use?
Thanks
Written April 29, 2019
May I check I reach at 4pm to 5pm , still have food variety n stall open
Written March 7, 2019
Please understand that Nishiki has been like a "Marché in Europe" for Kyoto citizens, so not the street for eating.
Most of the shops open around 09:00 in the morning and close around 18:00. Closing time depends on each shops.
As for Sagano train along the Hozu-Valley,　End Nov is usually one of best timing to enjoy Japanese Autumn. i hope you will see colorful autumn leaves from train window.
Written March 13, 2019
Hi, I was wondering if there are any lulls in the people traffic? I see most people are recommending to get there before they open, or 10 to 11am.. Right around when lunch rush is. But is there a better time to go to avoid the crowd and still get to try everything?
Written January 17, 2019
In my experience I did not see much in terms of crowd lulls. Pretty steady all the time I was there from mid morning through to after lunch. Hope the crowds don't get your down.
Written January 20, 2019
May i know which is the nearest station for this market and what exit will it be located?
Written December 31, 2018
Shijo Station via the Karasuma subway. Look for signage indicating to Shijo Street.
Written January 15, 2019
Their website doesn't translate into English. How late do they stay open during the week? I'm going March 27-29 (Wed-Fri) to Kyoto. What is the best time of day to go?
Written December 28, 2018
Anytime before they close is fine (6pm) Good place to get food so I'd plan accordingly. You can def shop until you drop here with lots of vendors selling food and lots of non-food items.
Written January 1, 2019
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