Kyoto · SHOPPING TOURS
Good shopping tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Kyoto’s Gion and Nishiki Market with seven tastings, brunch, local culture, and a guide-led introduction to Japanese food.
“The market was so interesting and vibrant. We ate food we would never have found on our own. Hikaru was a fantastic guide - knowledgeable, informative with a great personality. He made the brunch a perfect experience. I highly recommend this tour.”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with a local guide, tasting regional foods, learning shrine customs, and browsing downtown shopping streets.
“Our family of five plus one good friend thoroughly enjoyed our introduction to the Nishiki Market with Yoko. There is so much we would have missed without her, and half of the fun was getting to know Yoko. She was so kind and genuinely seemed to enjoy watching six first-time Japan visitors try new foods and go crazy for konjac yam soaps.”
Make matcha, taste sweets, and hear live koto music at a small Kyoto tea ceremony near Nishiki Market, with optional kimono photos.
“Wonderful host and koto performance from Yurika. Enjoyed the tea ceremony, matcha and sweets. Not usually a matcha lover, but Yurika showed us how to enjoy it. The koto music was beautiful.”
Explore Kyoto’s Gion backstreets, shrine, and Nishiki Market with seven tastings, brunch, and a local English-speaking guide.
“This tour with Hikaru was a lot of fun. He was friendly and chatty as we walked. We tried many new foods and learnt a lot as we strolled through the market and surrounding streets. We ended with a delicious restaurant lunch and heartfelt farewell. I’d gladly recommend this tour to anyone.”
Taste Kyoto specialties, explore Nishiki Market, and learn local food traditions on a small-group walk with an English-speaking guide.
“My guide, Annie, was knowledgeable and personable. She is a gentle teacher and encouraged me to try new things (that were always good!). We also laughed quite a bit. Highly recommended.”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market and Daimaru depachika with a local guide, sampling tofu skin, gyoza, tempura hamo, and traditional sweets.
“Very Enjoyable tour, my daughter was so happy to gain more knowledge on Japanese food. We loved it so much that we actually went back to eat the same tou fu skin sushi that our guide introduced us the day before.”
Explore Nishiki Market with a local foodie, taste Kyoto specialties, visit Nishiki Tenmangū, and learn the stories behind the stalls.
“It was exactly what we were looking for. Akino gently guided us through the noisy rows and pointed to those yummy places where it is worth having a bite. We tried a great variety of tastes and were full after the walk! The backyard kitchen of the fresh fish counter was unforgettable!!! Thanks to Akino for welcoming us as best guests. She also helped us to buy good knives as we wanted to bring them home.”
Taste Kyoto’s Kitchen on a two-hour Nishiki Market tour with 7+ local bites, expert guidance, and food stops from sushi to wagyu.
“This was a fabulous food tour. Our guide Chicano was very knowledgeable and explained things very clearly. It was great way to experience the food scene with a local.”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, taste local foods, and cook a fresh donburi meal in a private English-language class.
“I would recommend it anicw way to understand Japanese cuisine and enjoy a nice lunch !”
Taste Kyoto at Nishiki Market with a local guide, visiting family-run food shops for sashimi, tofu, tea, dashi, sake, and lunch.
“Loved! Our tour guide was so great-- really knowledgable and sweet! She answered all of our billion questions and also was able to pace the group so that my 66 year old parents could keep up which was an added bonus!”
Review of Kyoto’s four-hour Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki Market tour with guide Roberto, transport tips, costs, and practical advice.
“Activities were amazing, fantastic insight into the history of the attractions and culture. Value was amazing and 1:1 genuine accomodating attention from Roberto.”
Taste Kyoto through Daimaru’s food hall, Nishiki Market, local shops, and sake with a small-group guide in three flavorful hours.
“Walking around Kyoto, getting to know good places to eat, experiencing food… is just one of the best ways to get to know a place, people and culture. Nishiki market, basement of Daimaru all offer a variety of food unimaginable!”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market and Daimaru depachika with a local guide, tasting tofu skin, gyoza, tempura, donuts, and more.
“The best tour ever! Our guide, Jasmine, patiently explained the different dishes and types of food to us. We tried delicious food, and Jasmine took care of our tastes. She helped us choose the products. Jasmine was wonderful with us; it was a great experience. Absolutely worth it.”
Taste Kyoto’s seasonal specialties on a small-group Nishiki Market tour with 10 local vendors, Japanese tea, lunch, and cultural insight.
“We had a fun and informative tour with our guide. We have been many times at the market but never had a tour guide. Raquel (our tour guide) was very professional, knowledgeable and pleasant. She made sure we had a great experience. I would highly recommend this service and in particular Raquel! Thank you so much for enriching our trip to Kyoto!!”
Make sushi, miso soup, and vinegar rice in Kyoto, visit Nishiki Market, and get seasonal sightseeing tips in a small two-hour class.
“An absolute highlight of our family Kyoto trip! Our guides were kind, knowledgeable, and incredible teachers. I can’t recommend this tour enough for anyone visiting Kyoto. It’s most definitely a must-do! We got to see how the salmon is cut at the fish market, make miso soup, and then make three different types of sushi and it was all topped off with sake, green tea, and a homemade matcha dessert. Incredible doesn’t express how cool this experience was. Out of the many things we saw and did in Kyoto, this topped it all. JUST BOOK IT!!”
