Kyoto, where you can experience traditional Japan, is one of the most popular destinations among foreign tourists in Japan. In the tourist areas, you can find markets with long histories and shops unique to Kyoto selling traditional crafts.
There's an abundance of Japanese products such as dishes and chopsticks with delicate and beautiful designs, and fragrance items that evoke a sense of Japanese style. Even window shopping alone can be quite enjoyable. Recently, there's been an increase in shops with modern exteriors selling traditional products, which are attracting attention.
Did you know that Kyoto is also famous as a city of gourmet food? One of its characteristics is the large number of restaurants, as it's bustling with domestic and international tourists not only on holidays but also on weekdays.
In traditional markets and entertainment districts, there are not only souvenir shops but also numerous street food options perfect for accompanying your stroll.
If you are interested in Kyoto's Foods, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Kyoto's Foods as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Kyoto Has Many Markets and Entertainment Districts Where You Can Enjoy Street Food
source：ACTIVITY JAPAN
Kyoto is famous not only for its World Heritage-designated shrines and temples but also as a region that attracts gourmets. In particular, "Kyoto cuisine," which has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage, is popular among tourists for its seasonal ingredients and dashi (soup stock) based flavoring that allows you to taste the flavors of the season.
Kyoto cuisine, which values not only taste but also visual beauty, is often enjoyed leisurely in restaurants.
However, recently, there has been an increase in street food options in response to the growing desire to enjoy both sightseeing and dining simultaneously. The attractive point is that you can take out food at reasonable prices and easily enjoy soul food while viewing the many historical buildings.
From here, we'll introduce areas where many shops offering street food are lined up.
3 Areas in Kyoto Where You Can Enjoy Street Food
There are three areas in Kyoto where you can enjoy street food.
These are the Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto's kitchen, with about 120 specialized shops selling side dishes, fresh produce, and pickles; the area near Kiyomizu Temple, a temple registered as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" World Heritage sites; and the area near Fushimi Inari Shrine, popular among foreign tourists for its thousand vermilion torii gates.
These are areas you'll want to cover when visiting Kyoto, as you can experience historically valuable traditional streetscapes and elegant atmospheres.
While it's great to kill two birds with one stone by sightseeing and enjoying street food, there are areas where eating while walking is prohibited. Also, littering after eating is forbidden.
Now, let's look at each of the three areas along with recommended shops.
3 Shops to Enjoy in the Nishiki Market Area
*Eating while walking is prohibited in Nishiki Market. When enjoying street food, buy what you want to eat and enjoy it in other areas.
Takotamago
source：KAI
Takotamago is a mini-sized octopus head stuffed with quail egg, simmered in lightly flavored soy sauce. The recommended shop is Kai, which started selling it as a weighed delicacy in Nishiki Market in 2004. Its impactful appearance quickly made it popular among tourists.
Its sweetness makes it easy to eat for people of all ages and genders. For street food, we recommend the takotamago on a stick, like a candy stick. I've purchased it before, and its bright red appearance was so cute that I almost felt reluctant to eat it.
You can choose from large, medium, or small sizes, and takotamago for souvenirs is also available.
・Address: 216 Kajiya-cho, Nishikikoji-dori Miyuki-cho Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: Irregular
・Phone: 075-212-7829
・Hours: 10:00-18:00
・website: https://www.nisiki-kai.com/
Dashimaki Tamago (Rolled Omelette)
source： Official website
Dashimaki tamago is an omelette made by adding dashi to beaten eggs and grilling.
The recommended shop is Miki Keiran, a long-established dashimaki tamago specialty store founded in 1930. It's made by mixing fresh chicken eggs with original dashi made from Rishiri kelp and carefully selected bonito flakes, cooked using techniques passed down by skilled artisans. I've tried it before, and after the soft, fluffy texture, the gentle dashi broth bursts out, making me smile involuntarily at its deliciousness.
The dashimaki tamago on a stick is cut into mini sizes, making it easy to eat while walking. Besides the dashi-only flavor, there are also types with Kujo green onions, conger eel, and grilled eel, so try various flavors.
・Address: 182 Higashi Uoya-cho, Nishikikoji-dori Tominokoji Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: New Year's holidays
・Phone: 075-221-1585
・Hours: 9:00-18:00
・Official website: https://mikikeiran.com/
Suzume Kushi (Sparrow Skewer)
source：Pouch
Suzume kushi, as the name suggests, is a whole sparrow seasoned with soy sauce and other condiments and grilled on a skewer. Sparrows were considered pests that ravaged crops, so this dish was created partly as a means of pest control. This suzume kushi is said to be the origin of modern yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
The long-established "Kawazaka no Toyo" in Nishiki Market is famous for offering exquisite suzume kushi. I tried it myself, and with little meat and everything from the head to the bones being edible, the crunchy texture became addictive. The sweet and savory sauce made it easier to eat than I expected.
With the expansion of chicken meat distribution and the decrease in sparrow captures, shops selling suzume kushi are very rare. It's best to try it while you can.
・Address: 2-4 Fukakusa Kaidocho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays
・Phone: 075-641-3696
・Hours: 9:00-17:00
・Official website: http://www.fusimi-inari.com/?p=306
If you are interested in Nishiki Market, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Nishiki Market as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
3 Shops to Enjoy in the Kiyomizu Temple Area
If you are interested in Kiyomizu Dera Temple, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Kiyomizu Dera Temple as much as possible.
sena kanda
Yatsuhashi
source：Kawakami
Yatsuhashi is made by mixing rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon, steaming the dough, then rolling it thin and baking it crisp. There's also "nama yatsuhashi" which is only steamed without baking, resulting in a mochi-like texture. Despite using the same ingredients, they have completely different textures and tastes.
The recommended shop is Kiyomizuzaka Kiyomizu Kawakami. They use carefully selected ingredients such as domestically produced rice flour, azuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido, and highly fragrant, sweet cinnamon. I received some as a souvenir, and I could strongly feel the cinnamon's aroma and sweetness in the dough, making it delicious even on its own. It also pairs excellently with the sweet coarse bean paste.
Although it's a fresh product, it has a shelf life of 7-10 days, making it suitable as a souvenir.
・Address: 1-279 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: Irregular
・Phone: 075-551-1291
・Hours: 9:00-17:00
・website: https://www.oboco.jp/
Ichigo Ame (Candied Strawberry)
source：Tabelog
Ichigo ame is a strawberry coated in candy. With its eye-catching bright red strawberries and bite-sized portions, it's gaining popularity, especially among young women.
The recommended shop is Ichikoro Yasaka-no-to Strawberry Candy Shop. Their most popular item is the "Ichikoro Ame," which has five strawberries stacked to resemble a five-storied pagoda. It's reputed that taking a photo with Yasaka Pagoda in the background results in a photogenic shot. I purchased some, and the fresh strawberries from the central market covered in glossy candy were beautiful!
I enjoyed the contrast between the crunchiness of the candy and the juiciness of the strawberry. A notable point is that the candy is made with a unique method, making it easy to eat without sticking to your teeth.
・Address: 87 Hoshino-cho, Yasaka Pagoda-no-shita Hirokoji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: Irregular
・Phone: 080-3724-0534
・Hours: 11:00-18:00
・Official website: https://ichikoro.kawaiishop.jp/
Matcha Sweets
source：RETRIP
Matcha sweets refer to sweet treats made using powdered green tea leaves. Kyoto, including Uji City, is known for having many tea-producing areas and is famous for its abundance of matcha-based foods.
The recommended shop is MACCHA HOUSE Matchakan. They generously use matcha from Kyoto's long-established "Morihan," offering an irresistible menu for matcha lovers, including matcha sweets and drinks. I tried the Uji matcha tiramisu served in a masu (wooden box), and the combination of smooth, creamy mascarpone cheese and slightly bitter matcha was exceptional.
It's no wonder there are queues even on weekdays. I also had a bite of the matcha parfait and matcha ice cream my friend was eating, and the strong matcha flavor was impressive.
・Address: 3-337 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: None
・Phone: 075-532-5630
・Hours: 11:00-18:00
・Official website: https://maccha-house.com/
If you are interested in Matcha Sweets, check the article below! I summarized Matcha Sweets I recommend and how I felt each Matcha Sweets.
sena kanda
2 Shops to Enjoy in the Fushimi Inari Area
Inari Sushi
source：KEIHAN
Inari sushi is sushi made by stuffing vinegared rice into deep-fried tofu pouches (thin slices of tofu dried and fried) simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. It can be eaten with one hand, similar to onigiri (rice balls).
The recommended shop is Fushimi Inari Senbon Inari, an inari sushi specialty store. The soft deep-fried tofu pouches are infused with dashi, and the vinegared rice accented with yuzu aroma is topped with various ingredients. I tried the wasabi inari, and the spicy kick of wasabi stimulated my appetite, making me finish it in no time.
They offer a wide range of products from standard to seasonal limited-edition items using ingredients of the season. Try various flavors by sharing with family and friends.
・Address: 33 Fukakusa Ichinotobo-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: Mondays
・Phone: 080-7997-7518
・Hours: 10:00-17:00
・Official website: https://www.keihan-the-store.jp/inari/
Tsujiura Senbei (Fortune Cookie)
source：Toraya
Tsujiura senbei are rice crackers with fortune slips (traditionally used in Japan for fortune-telling) inside. The recommended shop is "Sohonke Inariya." They are shaped like small, round bells and are slightly hard but not too sweet and easy to eat. Surprisingly, there are over 220 types of fortune slips inside. There are also winning tickets that can be exchanged for souvenirs. I tried them at the beginning of the year for good luck, and they were delicious with a good texture.
I ate them with my family, and we had fun with the contents of the fortune slips, making me want to bring them to parties as entertainment. They also have English and Chinese versions available, making them popular souvenirs among foreigners.
・Address: 2 Fukakusa Kaidocho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City
・Closed: Thursdays
・Phone: 075-641-1166
・Hours: 8:30-17:30
・Official website: http://www.inariya-kyoto.com/
If you are interested in Fushimi Inari Area, check the article below! I summarized Fushimi Inari Area I recommend and how I felt there.
Takashi Nakadomari
Food Tours with Local Guides Are Also Recommended
For those who want to focus mainly on street food, participating in a food tour is also recommended. It's efficient as you can visit popular shops precisely, and it's becoming increasingly popular among tourists.
Guides who know the area well can quickly inform you about the latest street food options. Here, we'll introduce a particularly well-regarded tour.
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
The Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour offers a unique brunch experience at Nishiki Market, which has been loved by locals in Kyoto for over 400 years. The meeting time is 9:30, allowing you to start with a relaxed stroll through Kyoto when it's less crowded, unlike during the busy daytime hours.
After visiting a local shrine, you'll move on to the main attraction, Nishiki Market. While listening to the guide explain the market's historical background and development, you can enjoy recommended street foods from among the many eateries. Afterwards, you'll savor a Kyoto-style brunch at a restaurant. The guides are knowledgeable, so you can hear plenty of information not found in guidebooks.
A point to note is that the guide will take photos during the tour and send them to you by email after it ends, allowing you to fully enjoy your meal without worrying about taking pictures.
Click here for more details（https://www.magical-trip.com/product/b0423202-29dd-4399-b047-9c6a0ee31ea5?ref=city-available-cards)