Kyoto · MARKETS
16 reviewed
The 15 market tours below are the ones worth a place on a Kyoto itinerary. Each entry gives the price, the running time and who it is right for, so the choice takes a minute, not an evening.
Kyoto Nishiki Market brunch walking tour with 7 tastings, a sit-down meal, and photos. Small-group food walk through Gion and Pontocho.
“This tour was excellent. Yuki was a fantastic tour guide, and I really enjoyed exploring the market and getting to see inside several shops. The food was delicious too!”
Taste Kyoto without reservations on a small-group walk through Nishiki Market, shrines, and shopping streets, with meal-filling samples.
“We had a great time with Eric. He is very knowledgeable and led us through Nishiki Market with ease. The food was delicious and we learned so much about the history of Kyoto and Japanese culture. Anyone who wants to try a variety of Japanese cuisines and explore Nishiki Market will love this tour.”
Make creamy matcha and sip tea sweets in central Kyoto, then enjoy live koto music. Optional kimono photos available at KOTOLILY KYOTO.
“A must do experience in Kyoto. Lovey little tea shop. The host was so knowledgeable and very friendly. The koto performance was a great touch. Highly recommend!”
Taste Kyoto at Nishiki Market with a small-group food tour, 5 local specialties, shrine stops, and an optional tea ceremony.
“Yume our guide was amazing. She gave us ao much info and was so nice. Highly recommend, great value Larry and Janet”
A 2-hour Kyoto food walk covering Nishiki Market, a Depachika department-store hall, tastings, and a quick stop at Nishiki-Tenmangu.
“Tour guide spoke English, very knowledgeable; pleasant, friendly and very professional! Explained the various foods as we went through the tour encouraged us to ask questions of some foods we sampled took us to unique food places - very educational thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Worth the dollar spent! Thank you.”
90-minute Kyoto food tour with a local foodie, starting at Nishiki Tenmangū and ending at Nishiki Market West, with tastings included.
“The organisation ease and meeting point were great. I had booked for a similar tour to have it cancelled. All worked out fabulously. Kaito was a great source of information and a great guide thr the market & through my marvelous Japaneese food fusion experience. I highly recommend this tour with Kaito - I learnt so much on the cultural level, gastronomically and gained a new respect & insight into the Japaneese way. A wonderful experience I am grateful for his guidance”
Kyoto Nishiki Market lunch tour with 7+ bites, street-and-sit tastings, and guide stories on 1,000+ year food traditions in 2 hours.
“Wonderful experience trying different foods and learning about the local products. Our tour guide, Mana was friendly and knowledgeable.”
Private Nishiki Market tour and donburi cooking class with a fluent English guide, market ingredients, optional sake, and free pickles.
“Cooking class was great/fun. Mae was so nice....Couple of the ingredients could have been better. (Fatty tuna was not great.)”
Guided Kyoto Nishiki Market food tour with tastings at family shops, Japanese tea, seasonal lunch, plus shrine and temple stops.
“We got the same tour guide as our Gion and Kamogawa Evening Food Tour in Kyoto, which is great. Nishiki Market is a wonderful place. Make sure you go there with an empty stomach, cuz you will try lots of different food there.”
Guided Nishiki Market food walk in Kyoto with temple stops, Daimaru depachika tastings, and a calm shrine finish. Small group.
“Yoriko was a fabulous guide. We enjoyed many samples from various different businesses as well as a Sake tasting at a small shop. Well worth the fee! Good introduction to many of the different street/market food options.”
A 4-hour Kyoto half-day tour linking Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki Market, with clear Edo-era explanations from a certified guide.
“Super visite très instructive et joyeuse! Le petit film final était un vrai plus! Et notre guide a été vraiment à l’écoute!”
Sample Kyoto classics at Nishiki Market and a Depachika food hall, then end near Kawaramachi Station with a guide.
“The best tour ever! Our guide, Jasmine, patiently explained the different dishes and types of food to us. We tried delicious food, and Jasmine took care of our tastes. She helped us choose the products. Jasmine was wonderful with us; it was a great experience. Absolutely worth it.”
A 3-hour Nishiki Market food tour in Kyoto with tea, seasonal tastings, and guided stops at family-run stalls.
“Marie was fantastic! We learned and ate so much more with her than if we had just visited the area by ourselves. Thanks!!! Loved all 3 of our tours with Arigato! We did the Classic Tsukiji Breakfast Food Tour (Tokyo) with Sandra, and the Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Daytime & Nightlife Osaka Food Tours with Marie. Both of our guides were amazing and gave us additional suggestions and recommendations on where to visit and eat. I would have booked even more tours with them if we had more time!”
Make sushi and miso in Kyoto, then shop at Nishiki Market for fresh fish cutting and a full meal with seasonal sights tips.
“An absolute highlight of our family Kyoto trip! Our guides were kind, knowledgeable, and incredible teachers. I can’t recommend this tour enough for anyone visiting Kyoto. It’s most definitely a must-do! We got to see how the salmon is cut at the fish market, make miso soup, and then make three different types of sushi and it was all topped off with sake, green tea, and a homemade matcha dessert. Incredible doesn’t express how cool this experience was. Out of the many things we saw and did in Kyoto, this topped it all. JUST BOOK IT!!”
A 3-hour Kyoto walking food tour through Rokkakudo Temple, Yaoyaichi market, Daimaru basement, and Nishiki Market tastings.
“Our Nishiki Market tour was the highlight of our entire Japan journey. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the rhythm and spirit of Kyoto’s cultural heart. The guide brought the market to life—not just with facts, but with stories, warmth, and a genuine love for the city that was absolutely contagious. We wandered through centuries of tradition, met local artisans, and felt deeply connected to the pulse of daily life in Kyoto. The experience was beautifully paced, thoughtfully curated, and full of moments that made us pause, smile, and reflect. It wasn’t just a tour—it was a window into the soul of the city. If you’re looking…”
