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Nishiki Market (錦市場 Nishiki Ichiba) (literally “brocade market”) is a marketplace in downtown Kyoto, located on a road one block north and parallel to Shijō Street (四条通 Shijō-dōri) and west of Teramachi Street (寺町通 Teramachi-dōri). Rich with history and tradition, the market is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto’s famous foods and goods.
Nishiki Market: Exploring Kyoto’s 400-Year-Old Kitchen
In the downtown district of Kyoto, you can step straight off the smart, spacious Shijo Street and into a thriving shopping street filled with locals, visitors and everyone in between. From grandmothers buying pickles to toddlers chewing on skewered octopus heads, there’s something charming about this place, and plenty to explore. And it’s been here, in one form or another, since around 1615 (perhaps even earlier).
With over 100 stalls and shops lining the covered street, the Nishiki food market offers a real mixture of produce. Almost all of it is locally grown—usually by those selling it. The growing attention the market receives means that traditional family-run shops stand side by side with newer stores aimed at tourists. Many of the latter sell Kyoto-based speciality items in an attempt to fit in.
As well as street food and ingredients, you can find plenty of kitchen-related things in Nishiki—from tableware to knives to personalized chopsticks. That means you can stock your cooking area as well as your fridge.
The 400m-long stretch can take some time to explore, with each step offering new sights and smells—and an overwhelming choice of food and drink. Shop assistants call for your attention and the passing scents draw you towards them. This is certainly an experience to be savored. While Nishiki Market could be squashed in on the way to nearby Yasaka Shrine, try to give it all the time you can.
The market keeps regular hours. It’s up and running by 10am and closed at 6pm. We recommend scheduling it during the middle of your day if possible—it’s perfect for lunch or an early dinner.
In keeping with its traditional shotengai (shopping street) style, the street market is quite dim. The brightly colored roof does allow a bit of light in, but mostly lends the street a sense of permanent evening—though it’s not at all a night market. Although Japan traditionally looks down on eating in the street, there are exceptions. Skewers of meat and fish often offered in more relaxed areas—and here at Nishiki Market, you can feast on them.
One of the best ways to explore Nishiki Market is by taste—and there’s certainly plenty of opportunity to do so. There are some snacks you might recognize, while others are a little more unusual. Depending on how adventurous you feel, there’s enough here for a feast, so you can stroll and snack as you like. Some shops have small seating areas where you can take a break if the market is busy.
#Kyoto #Japan #AmbientWalking
AloJapan.com