Japan is full of enticing shopping opportunities, and Kyoto is home to some unique options beyond the big shopping malls and department stores around Kyoto Station and downtown. While you’re in the city, you’ll also want to take advantage of the unique shops and handicrafts in Kyoto’s markets and shopping streets (shoutengai). Locals frequent these vibrant food markets, busy shopping arcades, and monthly flea markets to shop for everything from clothing to freshly-made snacks to handmade crafts and kimono. Let’s take a look at some of Kyoto’s best.
Shopping Streets
Nishiki Market: Kyoto’s Kitchen
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a historic and vibrant marketplace that has been a hub of commerce in the city for over 400 years. Stretching five blocks under its trademark colorful covering, the market offers a vast array of fresh produce, seafood, traditional snacks, and other Kyoto specialties.
Sampling food is one of the best ways to enjoy Nishiki Market. Stalls offer small portions of delicacies such as yatsuhashi, grilled octopus with quail egg, and soft-serve ice creams, so it’s easy to taste a variety of items. The market is also an ideal place to pick up souvenirs like handcrafted knives or locally made ceramics.
Nishiki Market’s popularity has taken it from bustling to crowded at peak hours, so you’ll want to factor that in when you make your visit. For the best experience, visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds, and aim to arrive earlier in the day when the market is less busy. Hours depend on the stall, but in general, Nishiki is open from 9 a.m. to about 6 p.m.
You can easily walk to Nishiki Market from Shijo Kawaramachi or Shijo Karasuma, which are both areas easily accessible by bus and train.
Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades: Shopping Downtown
Teramachi and Shinkyogoku are two of Kyoto’s most popular shopping arcades, located side by side in the bustling downtown area: both run alongside one another, stretching between Shijo and Sanjo. These covered streets combine the charm of a slightly retro Kyoto with more modern shopping offerings. Teramachi Arcade is known for its shops selling traditional crafts such as folding fans, textiles, and ceramics. Shinkyogoku Arcade offers a slightly greater number of more contemporary shops, with trendy boutiques, stores selling anime merchandise, and small restaurants.
Amidst the shops, you’ll find a few small shrines and temples tucked into the arcades: a tiny moment of serenity in the midst of the busy shopping area. Nearby, Sanjo and Kawaramachi Streets provide even more opportunities to shop, with larger department stores and a wider range of retail options. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, fashion, or everyday goods, these shopping streets are central and convenient places to explore.
Fushimi Otesuji Shotengai: Local Finds in the Sake District
Fushimi Otesuji Shotengai is a quieter and less touristy shopping street located in Kyoto’s southern Fushimi area. Good for a laid-back shopping experience, the street is lined with family-run stores selling seasonal produce, Japanese snacks, and daily necessities.
Unlike the more central Kyoto shopping streets, Fushimi Otesuji has a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. It’s also located right in the middle of the historic Fushimi sake district, so it’s a good place to pop in to shop where the locals do before heading off to sample some of the area’s best drinks.
Kyoto Flea Markets
Kyoto’s flea markets can be a treasure trove if you’re looking to find unique souvenirs, antiques, or handmade goods. These markets are held on specific days each month on the grounds of Kyoto temples and shrines. The following are some of Kyoto’s most well-known flea markets, but you can list of even more Kyoto flea markets here.
To-ji Temple Flea Market (Kobo-ichi Market)
When: 21st of the month, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: See To-ji Temple on Google Maps.
One of the most famous flea markets in Kyoto is the To-ji Temple Flea Market, also known as Kobo-ichi Market, which is held on the 21st of every month. Located within the grounds of the UNESCO-listed To-ji Temple, this market is a bustling space filled with stalls selling vintage kimonos, ceramics, handmade crafts, and antiques. The atmosphere is lively, and in the background you can enjoy the sight of To-ji iconic five-storied pagoda against the sky.
See more pictures of the event on the Official Kobo-ichi Market Instagram page to get a better sense of the event and the kind of items on sale.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Flea Market (Tenjin-ichi Market)
When: 25th of the month (*No market in August), 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: See Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on Google Maps.
Another popular market is the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Flea Market, or Tenjin-ichi Market (sometimes also called Tenjin-san), held on the 25th of each month. Here, you’ll find an array of traditional crafts, secondhand goods, and local snacks. After browsing the market, be sure to take some time to explore Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which is especially stunning during the plum blossom season in February and March.
Chion-ji Temple Flea Market
When: 15th of the month, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: See Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple on Google Maps.
For a more artisanal experience, visit the Chion-ji Temple Flea Market, also known as Tezukuri-Ichi, held on the 15th of each month. As its name implies, this smaller market focuses on handmade items (tezukuri meaning “handmade”), from crafts to artisanal foods. The items for sale here may be less traditional than those at some of the other markets, but creativity abounds in the wares on display.
You can see more images of the market on the Official Kyoto Tezukuri-Ichi Market Instagram.
A sister version of this market is held on the first Saturday of the month (excepting January and May) in Umekoji Park near Kyoto Station.
Other Tips for Shopping in Kyoto
Navigating Kyoto’s markets and shopping streets can be a lot of fun with a bit of preparation. While many shops in tourist-heavy areas like Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Streets have staff that may speak enough English to communicate, smaller shops and stalls may not. Knowing a few key phrases, such as “Kochira wa ikura desu ka?” (“How much is this, please?” – just be sure the staff can write down their answer to show you!) or “Kore o kudasai” (“I’ll take this”), can go a long way.
For larger purchases, some shops offer tax-free shopping for tourists, but you’ll need to show your passport at checkout. Be sure to carry enough cash, as many smaller vendors, especially in flea markets, do not accept credit cards. ATMs that accept international cards are available in convenience stores, so just be sure to have enough yen on hand.
Timing is another crucial factor, especially with some of the more popular locations. Markets like Nishiki are best visited in the morning or early afternoon when stalls are fully stocked and less crowded. Shopping streets like Teramachi and Shinkyogoku, on the other hand, are lively throughout the day but are particularly enjoyable in the late afternoon or early evening. When it comes to the temple flea markets, just be sure you’ve checked your calendar and don’t arrive on the wrong date!
