Kyoto, known as the former capital of Japan, was home to the emperor for over 1000 years. With its numerous shrines and temples dating back centuries, Kyoto's unique atmosphere is popular among foreign tourists. If you want to experience the essence of Japanese history and culture, a visit to Kyoto is a must.
Kyoto boasts many shops selling traditional market goods and crafts unique to the area. Beautiful pottery, chopsticks, textiles, and fragrances are particularly famous. These items can be found not only in traditional shopping streets but also in modern shopping malls.
When visiting traditional markets and entertainment districts, you can enjoy shopping for souvenirs while sampling local foods. Among these, Nishiki Ichiba, Shijo Kawaramachi, and the Shinkyogoku Shopping District are especially well-known.
Today, we'll introduce the Shinkyogoku Shopping District, which is highly recommended for tourists.
If you are interested in Attractions in Kyoto, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Attractions in Kyoto as much as possible.
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Shinkyogoku Shopping District: Over 150 Years of History
source：Kyoto City Official website
The Shinkyogoku Shopping District, with over 150 years of history, was established in 1872 as Kyoto's first bustling commercial area. It was created by developing the approach to temples and shrines to boost the morale of Kyoto citizens after the capital had moved to Tokyo a few years earlier.
The shopping district is located between Shijo Street and Oike Street, which are major east-west thoroughfares in central Kyoto. Its convenient location makes it popular among both Kyoto residents and tourists.
During Kyoto's largest festival, the Gion Matsuri, the entire shopping district is beautifully decorated, allowing visitors to feel the festival's excitement just by walking through. The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto's biggest festival, held throughout July every year.
170 Shops Lining a Covered Arcade
The Shinkyogoku Shopping District features 170 shops lining both sides of a 500-meter-long street. One of its attractions is the covered arcade, which allows for comfortable shopping even on rainy days.
Under the arcade, you'll find stores selling a variety of products, including local ingredients, traditional crafts, fashion items, restaurants, and souvenirs. There are many street food vendors, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto's unique flavors while shopping. You'll also find plenty of cafes and restaurants for sit-down meals.
While popular among tourists, the shopping district is also frequented by locals, giving you a glimpse into local life.
Make the Most of Shinkyogoku Shopping District! Recommended Shops by Category
Three Shops to Enjoy Delicious Cuisine Casually
Teppan
source： Official website
If you want to enjoy something delicious quickly in the Shinkyogoku Shopping District, how about trying "Kyoto-style Ikayaki"?
"Ikayaki" is originally an Osaka specialty, a Japanese-style pizza topped with squid. The dough is made with wheat flour and topped with egg and squid. It's especially delicious when served piping hot from the iron griddle.
The size isn't too large, so it's perfect as a snack when you're feeling a bit hungry. My recommendation is the Ikayaki with sauce and mayonnaise, a junk food flavor that almost all Japanese people love. Other delicious options include Japanese-style and teriyaki sauce, which offer a sweet and savory soy sauce-based flavor.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 397-5 Sakurano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: 075-708-5925
- Hours: 12:00-22:00
- Instagram
Kyogoku Stand
source： Official website
When it comes to enjoying delicious food casually in the Shinkyogoku Shopping District, you can't miss "Kyogoku Stand". This shop is characterized by its retro atmosphere and downtown warmth. The close proximity to other customers is not uncommon, with locals and tourists often packed into the small interior.
As soon as it opens at noon, many people visit for a delicious and hearty lunch. It's also popular as a place where you can enjoy alcoholic drinks from lunchtime. It's one of the rare shops in Japan where you can eat "dojou" (Asian pond loach), which can be ordered as a dish bound with egg and burdock root. As a memento of your visit to Japan, please give it a try.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 546 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone: 075-221-4156
- Hours: 12:00-21:00
Daiki Suisan Kaiten Sushi Shin Kyogoku Branch
source： Official website
"Daiki Suisan Kaiten Sushi Shin Kyogoku Branch" is another recommended place to enjoy delicious cuisine casually. This shop offers authentic sushi made with fresh seafood at reasonable prices, popular among both tourists and locals. Prices range from 100 to 700 yen per plate, with many delicious sushi options available even at the 100 yen price point.
The casual conveyor belt sushi style allows you to choose your favorite sushi in any amount you like. They also offer side dishes like noodles. Ordering is convenient with English-language tablets available. As it's a popular shop, it can get crowded at times.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 545-1 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-252-0211
- Hours: 11:00-22:00 (Last order 21:30)
- Website
Three Shops for Memorable Kyoto Souvenirs
Kyogoku Iwai
source： Official website
If you're looking for souvenirs unique to Kyoto, "Kyogoku Iwai" is recommended. This shop offers a wide range of traditional Japanese crafts and goods unique to Kyoto.
You can choose from pouches, sewing sets, and mirrors made with Kyo Chirimen, a traditional fabric, available in various colors including red, green, yellow, pink, and purple. Kyo Chirimen is a crepe fabric woven in the Kyoto style, highly valued as kimono material.
Personally, I'd like to recommend the incense. While incense is used in temples, the nobility in Kyoto had a tradition of burning incense to scent their clothes over 1000 years ago. Continuing this tradition, many Kyoto incenses have light scents suitable for daily use. Please find your favorite and purchase it as a souvenir.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 556 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Open daily
- Phone: 075-221-0314
- Hours: (Weekdays) 10:30-21:00 (Weekends and holidays) 10:00-21:00
- Website
Kyowadou
source： Official website
If you want to see classic Kyoto souvenirs, "Kyowadou" is recommended. They also sell "Yatsuhashi", a famous Kyoto souvenir. Yatsuhashi is a sweet, flat mochi flavored with cinnamon and filled with sweet bean paste called anko. They offer Yatsuhashi from trusted manufacturers who maintain the traditional taste, so please take a look.
My recommendation is the langue de chat (thin cookie) and warabi mochi made with matcha, which is unique to Kyoto. Warabi mochi is a jelly-like mochi made from starch. I particularly enjoy eating it chilled in summer.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 406 Sakurano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-241-2425
- Hours: 12:00-20:00
- Website
Kyonofurusato
source： Official website
If you're looking for Kyoto souvenirs in the Shinkyogoku Shopping District, "Kyonofurusato", established in 1919 over 100 years ago, is also recommended. They offer a wide range of souvenirs from Kyoto classics to traditional items. Staff with extensive overseas experience can provide detailed advice on which souvenirs are appreciated in different countries.
With support in seven languages, overseas customers can shop with ease. You can find traditional Kyoto flavors, crafts, and souvenirs for children.
Personally, I recommend the sensu (folding fan). These are lightweight and compact Japanese folding fans that reveal beautiful patterns when opened, making them popular gifts.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 439 Sakurano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-221-6071
- Hours: 10:30-21:00
- Website
Two Shops for Easy Takeout and Street Food
Londonya
source： Official website
The Shinkyogoku Shopping District has many shops where you can enjoy easy street food. Among them, "Londonya's" bite-sized Castella manju is easy to eat and highly recommended. Castella manju is a sweet bun similar to sponge cake filled with sweet bean paste called anko.
While Japanese anko is often dark in color, this shop's Castella manju uses a milder white bean paste, which is characteristic. You can buy them individually, so please try one when you're feeling a bit hungry.
As they don't use dairy products, you can carry them around at room temperature even in summer. If they become hard, warming them in a microwave or toaster will make them even more delicious.
<Shop Information>
- Address: 565 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Open daily
- Phone: 075-221-3248
- Hours: Weekdays: 9:30-20:30, Weekends and holidays: 9:30-20:30
- Website
2050 COFFEE
source： Official website
If you want to enjoy a delicious takeout coffee in the Shinkyogoku Shopping District, "2050 COFFEE" is recommended. This shop just opened in February 2024, with the concept of "a sustainable coffee future". The space, which makes extensive use of silver, gives a futuristic impression.
Another feature of this shop is the introduction of "Coffee On Tap". This is a serving system where coffee is automatically poured into your cup when you place it under the coffee server, just like a beer tap. The "10-second pour" coffee is very convenient for those who want to make a quick stop.
My recommendation is the "Cascara Cherry Tea" and "Cascara Granola Bar", which are upcycled from the skin and pulp of coffee beans that are usually discarded during processing. The fragrant tea with a subtle sweetness is sure to be addictive.
<Shop Information>
- Address: Sakurano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: -
- Hours: 8:00-19:00
- Website
If you are interested in Kyoto Shopping Streets, check the article below! I summarized Kyoto Shopping Streets I recommend and how I felt each Kyoto Shopping Streets.
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