Japan · MARKET TOURS IN KYOTO
The good market tours in Kyoto fill weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes, and where they genuinely differ.
Nishiki Market brunch walking tour in Kyoto with 7 tastings, a sit-down meal, and photo support. Small group, about 3 hours.
“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!”
Wear a kimono and learn the Kyoto matcha ritual at Nishiki, with expert guidance, hands-on tea making, and wagashi sweets.
“They dress you up and help you through the whole process. Extremely professional! You can tell everyone is very proud of their history and everyone made you feel very special.”
Taste Kyoto at Nishiki Market and beyond on a 3-hour small-group walk with culture stops and meal-filling food samples.
“Really enjoyed learning about the market with Akoki as our guide! We sampled many foods and learned a lot about Kyoto’s culture. Definitely come hungry!”
Kyoto Nishiki tea ceremony at KOTOLILY KYOTO: make matcha, taste sweets, hear live koto harp, and add kimono photos on-site.
“Omg the host was so cuteee & sweet. She played beautiful koto. She explained each & every component of tea ceremony extremely well. Definitely recommend! Wish we wore kimono for this activity tho”
Kyoto Nishiki Market brunch walking tour through calm Gion streets, a shrine visit, and 7 tastings with a guided English small group.
“The tour was amazing! Chie was THE BEST GUIDE EVER! Everything we tried was delicious and she gave great cultural insight to the area and was happy to answer all our questions. It was a very special experience!”
A small-group walking food tour in Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, sampling 5 local specialties and learning how Kyoto eats, shops, and prays.
“I had a great time with Satomi and the tour was all that I expected from. we had lots to see and Satomi shared knowledge of the different delicacies, temples and shrines, japanese customs from one area to another. Thanks again !”
Kyoto kimono tea ceremony at Nishiki Orizuruya: choose from 200 designs, learn matcha step-by-step, eat wagashi, add calligraphy if you want.
“It was such a wonderful experience. The costumes were very traditional. Staff dressed us all efficiently and well. Whilst it was much busier than expected (and yes commercial) it was not a rushed or overly chaotic touristy experience.”
A 2-hour guided walk through Nishiki Market and Daimaru depachika food hall, with tastings, plus a calm stop at Nishiki Tenmangu.
“We had a great time, our guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. He answered our many questions and recommended the best stalls to get a taste of the typical Japanese cuisine.”
90-minute Nishiki Market tour from Nishiki Tenmangū, with tastings and shopping arcade stops led by a local foodie guide in Kyoto.
“Kaito was very informative and eager to show us around! Very friendly guide who was easy to ask questions to and have a chat with. Food taken to was amazing and definitely worth the price of the tour!”
A guided Nishiki Market lunch in Kyoto with 7-plus bites, street-food stops, and real food-culture stories in about 2 hours.
“Wonderful experience trying different foods and learning about the local products. Our tour guide, Mana was friendly and knowledgeable.”
Nishiki Market in Kyoto plus a hands-on donburi cooking class. Shop with an English guide, make your bowl, pickles, optional sake.
“Our tour guide Momo was very pleasant and informative. During the market tour she provided recommendations and she was spot on with them that we went back later to purchase. Cooking class was very fun and delicious. Would recommend.”
Taste your way through Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with a small guided group, 10 vendor samplings, tea, and seasonal lunch included.
“The food was all delicious, and our guide was very informative. The only trouble is Nishiki is so crowded and loud, it was sometimes difficult to hear, and often impossible to gather around an area without blocking traffic in the narrow street. Still, it was a very enjoyable tour, and my wife and I are glad we did it.”
Kyoto in 4 hours: see Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, explore Nijo Castle nightingale floors, then snack at Nishiki Market with guide Roberto.
“La Experiencia fue excelente. Muy amable atención. Roberto es un gran guía profesional y comprometido. Una persona muy agradable. Nos encantó a mi familia y a mi. Súper recomendable.”
Walk Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with a local guide, taste 5-8 food samples from depachika and sake spots, then finish at a shrine.
“It was wonderful eating different type of food. The guide was very friendly and flexible to meet our needs.”
A 2-hour Kyoto food tour through Depachika and Nishiki Market, with yuba sashimi, soy milk donut, gyoza, tempura tastings, plus a shrine stop.
“Mao was outstanding - HIGHLY recommend. She is kind, warm and fun. Her passion for her hometown of Kyoto was contagious. 5 stars!!!”
Pick the experience, read what travellers said, book the good one.
