The Nishiki Market is the oldest and most popular traditional food market in Kyoto. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this place can get very crowded, especially during the weekends when everyone is out to shop for lunch and dinner. Bustling with locals and tourists alike, this market has served the city for over 400 hundred years.
1. Oldest and Most Iconic Market in Kyoto
The Nishiki Market is more than 400 Hundred years old. Some of the shops within the market have been managed by families from generation to generation. This particular market started out as a small fish wholesale district in 1615 and later flourished as more varieties of shops opened their wares over the passing of many years.
2. Kyoto’s Kitchen
The Nishiki Market has also earned the nickname “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. If you’re planning to cook a Kyoto specialty dish, you’ll find all the necessary ingredients in this market. Of course, almost everything that is sold here is locally produced and procured. Feast your eyes on the countless food items that are waiting for you!
3. A Popular Tourist Attraction
Surprisingly, you’ll find many tourists at the Nishiki Market. Some of them are holding camera’s and taking pictures while others are checking their guidebooks for the unique ingredients that can only be found in this market. Most of the time, you can also see them browsing and testing the food samples on the many food stalls in the area.
4. Culinary Delights Are Waiting For You!
More often than not, you’ll find yourself getting hungry as you walk around Nishiki Market.
The good news is that most of the stalls in the area offers free food samples for you to taste and enjoy. Once you tasted or see something you really like, it would be best to take a sit and reward yourself by ordering a plate or two of that mouth watering Kyoto Delicacies!
5. A Feast For The Senses
When you enter Nishiki Market, prepare yourself to be assaulted by smells, tastes, sights, sounds and the irresistible urge to pick a few things here and there. It is very easy to get lost in thought or forget the things that you were originally planning to buy as you check the many shops in the Nishiki Market. To solve this problem, make sure to create a list of items that you need to buy first!
6. Miki Keiran
ここの出し巻きはなかなかレベル高い。京・錦市場の三木鶏卵と勝負になる。 pic.twitter.com/Bs12rYOcC6
— らーぱぱ (@rakofather) March 29, 2016
Who would have thought that someone would build a restaurant using egg as a foundation? This particular shop has specialized in making egg dishes since 1928 and it’s quite popular with locals and tourists alike. The Dashimaki eggroll that can be enjoyed at Miki Keiran is among the best that you’ll ever taste in your life. If you’re lucky, you might even see the chefs toss those eggs high up in the air as they perform their masterful culinary arts.
7. Convenient Location
The Nishiki Market is just a 5-minute walk from the Karasuma Station via Hankyu Kyoto Railway Line. If you are riding a bus, get off at Shijokawaramachi station and walk for 5 minutes to reach the market. Ideally, the market is found at the center of Kyoto and most people can point you in the right direction if you manage to say the name of the market properly.
Information
- Address: Nishikikoji Teramachi-Takakura, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Phone: 075-211-3882
- Access: 5-minute walk from Karasuma Station via Hankyu Kyoto Railway
- Opening hour: 9:00 am 5:00 pm
- Opening and Closing Time of shops varies on the store
- Holiday: Most shops are closed on Wednesdays
- Website: http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/
Have a Good Trip and Travel!
