Nishiki Market is considered the most famous market in Kyoto, always lively and crowded with people. Visitors stroll along the street browsing a wide variety of shops. Even though it is a narrow shopping street about five blocks long, more than 100 shops and restaurants line the way, selling everything from fresh seafood and dried goods to cooking utensils and Japanese knives. It is also a well-known place to buy and sample seasonal food. Highlights you shouldn't miss include local specialties such as sweets found only in Kyoto, pickled vegetables, unusual dried seafood, and traditional Kyoto-style sushi. The market offers a dazzling variety of goods, especially food, which is why it has earned the nickname "Kyoto's Kitchen."
Nishiki Market is an old market with a history spanning several centuries. Most of the shops are long-established, passed down from generation to generation, so they have kept their unique character, making the market a very enjoyable place to explore. The market actually began as a wholesale fish market, with the first shop opening in 1310. After that, more and more shops opened, becoming increasingly varied. What was once a fish wholesale district turned into a retail area that sold more than just fish, gradually adding other kinds of food, until it became the Nishiki Market it is today.
The shops here are arguably the most diverse in Kyoto, ranging from small stalls to large two-story stores. Anyone who wants to try local food won't be disappointed. Most of the food here is made locally and has a character you won't find elsewhere, which is why the market is so popular with tourists. Fans of sweets will also have their eyes light up, since there are plenty of treats to choose from. Most of the food is ready to eat right away, so you can eat it at the shop (the market asks visitors not to eat while walking) and enjoy the shops and the surrounding atmosphere as you go. Everything is so tempting that you might find your wallet lighter before you even notice.
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