Kyoto Food & Market Tours: Taste Tradition

Get an introduction to Kyoto’s renowned cuisine on this small-group guided tour of the city's best food spots. Start at the vast 400-year-old Nishiki Market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' where hundreds of food shops and stalls beckon. Stroll through the market with your guide, learning about Kyoto’s culinary history and sampling dishes unique to Kyoto. ・Spend time wandering around Nishiki Market, home to 130 food stalls ・Enjoy 5 carefully selected local specialties like tofu skin, WAGYU steak skewers, and Hamo tempura ・Get insider knowledge from a local Guide

Join a MagicalTrip tour, proud winner of Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Award, led by a professionally trained MagicalTrip Certified Guide. Start your day with a peaceful stroll through Kyoto’s historic Gion district, efficiently exploring hidden gems with your local guide. Then head to Nishiki Market, the “Kitchen of Kyoto,” a lively spot with over 400 years of history. Savor 7 delicious tastings of local favorites, from long-loved street snacks to unique Kyoto specialties, while hearing fascinating stories you won’t find in any guidebook. With expert guidance, you’ll discover more in less time and enjoy an authentic taste of the city, all while our support team ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.

Dive into the vibrant Nishiki Market, Kyoto's food haven. Savor diverse delights at a Depachika underground food hall. Treat your taste buds to mouthwatering Japanese delicacies.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Nishiki Market, Kyoto's historic culinary hub. Known as the "Kitchen of Kyoto," this bustling marketplace has been a cornerstone of the city's food culture for centuries. Start your tour at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a peaceful sanctuary nestled at the entrance of the market. Admire the shrine's unique architecture and learn about its deep cultural significance before diving into the lively market atmosphere. Walk through the market's narrow alleys, lined with over a hundred shops and stalls offering everything from fresh seafood and seasonal produce to traditional sweets and pickled delicacies. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the market's history and its role in shaping Kyoto's culinary traditions. Discover unique ingredients essential to Kyoto-style cooking, such as yuba (tofu skin), Kyoto vegetables, and matcha-based treats. Enjoy tasting and gain insights into how these ingredients are used in Japanese cuisine.

Eat your way through Kyoto's culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved by the locals: from savory to sweet and local drinks; this tour will leave every foodie satisfied! Enjoy tastings typical of the local cuisine and hand-picked by a local guide passionate about food like Gyozas and Japanese pepper ice cream. But that's not it! This tour is more than just food; it's a cultural experience! In between food stops, you'll also find city highlights making this experience a well-rounded tour that will satisfy every foodie. Withlocals The 10 Tastings Private Food Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard

Starting from the Starbucks Kyoto Sanjo Karasuma Building, we will visit a series of iconic Kyoto landmarks, beginning with a peaceful visit to Rokkakudo Temple. From there, we will head to Yaoyaichi, a local market that showcases Kyoto’s seasonal produce and unique ingredients. Along the way, you’ll explore the bustling Daimaru Department Store's basement, where you can experience the offerings of Kyoto’s gourmet scene. Then, we will wander through Nishiki Market, famously known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” where diverse and flavorful goods await. At Yaoyaichi, Daimaru, and Nishiki Market, you’ll have the opportunity to sample 6-10 different items. Finally, we will conclude the tour at the serene Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine. Itinerary: 10:00 AM: Meeting at Starbucks Kyoto Sanjo Karasuma Building, Visit Rokkakudo Temple 10:30 AM: Stop at Yaoyaichi (local market) 11:30 AM: Daimaru Department Store's basement 12:30 AM: Nishiki Market 2:00 PM: Tour ends at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

Discover Kyoto after dark in a way that's truly unique. This isn’t a rigid sightseeing tour—it’s a private, personalized exploration designed entirely around you, guided by a passionate local who knows Kyoto inside out. Wander lantern-lit alleys, uncover hidden bars and cozy izakayas, and hear local stories and legends that bring the city to life once the sun goes down. Your host will adapt the experience to match your interests—whether you’re looking for a lively bar crawl, a quiet cultural stroll, or something in between. After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire about your interests. Your host will then reach out to suggest a customized route, ensuring your experience feels spontaneous, authentic, and completely yours. It’s like discovering Kyoto at night with a friend who knows all the best secrets.

Explore Nishiki Market on a private tour in Kyoto. Enjoy 3 food tastings, learn about the market’s history, and try free samples along the way. Meet your guide near Nishiki Tenmangū Shrine, located at the eastern end of Nishiki Market. Begin with a leisurely walk through Nishiki Market, affectionately known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Be prepared for crowds, as Nishiki Market is a popular destination, especially during business hours. Choose three items per person from the list provided by your guide. Sample free treats along the way, and purchase additional food and drinks if you wish. Learn about the food and history of Nishiki Market from your guide as you explore. Unlike larger group tours, this private experience allows you to move at your own pace, ask questions freely, and enjoy a more intimate connection with your local guide. ⚠️ We recommend bringing cash, as some vendors may not accept credit cards.

Discover Kyoto in a way that’s truly personal. This isn’t a rigid sightseeing tour—it’s a private, customized experience designed entirely around you, guided by a local who knows the city inside out. Stroll historic streets, explore hidden shops, admire beautiful shrines, and hear stories and insights that bring Kyoto’s culture to life. Your host will shape the route to match your interests, whether you’re drawn to history, food, tradition, or off-the-beaten-path gems. After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire about your interests. Your host will then reach out to suggest a flexible, authentic itinerary that feels like exploring Kyoto with a knowledgeable friend eager to share its secrets.

THE tour for a local's experience of Kyoto’s best food! Our nationally-licensed and experienced English-speaking guides will help you find the best eats while learning about Kyoto. Kyoto’s dishes have little flashes of flavor that will surprise you from Tofu skin hot pots to eel rice bowls, and buckwheat noodles with a huge fish. Street food fans must visit Nishiki Market. This 400 year old market is rich in history and food. See some too-cute-to-eat Japanese ‘wagashi’ sweets or the eccentric tako-tamago, a skewered octopus stuffed with a quail egg. Or you can enjoy looking at the pickled foods that locals love! If you are a tea fan, have some rich and warm green tea (matcha), or a green tea parfait to cool down. Once your reservation is made, please chose 3-4 spots from the tour details and let your guide know your food interests when planning. We hope to guide you soon! *The cost of food and drinks is not included in the tour price. The tour fee covers guide services only.

Enjoy a private street food and sake tour of Nishiki Market, guided by local student guides who share Kyoto’s food culture from a fresh, local perspective. The tour starts at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a small shrine at the entrance of the market dedicated to the god of learning. After a brief introduction and purification ritual, head into the lively market streets. Walk through Nishiki Market and eat like a local, tasting favorites such as grilled seafood, yuba (tofu skin), rolled omelet, and Kyoto pickles. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with traditional sweets like mochi, wagashi, and matcha desserts. You’ll also sample Kyoto-made sake at a local shop, learning about different styles and flavors. End the tour with time to shop for popular foodie souvenirs, including matcha snacks, condiments, and small sake bottles—perfect gifts to take home.

1- Within 3 days, you can experience the historic and cultural essense beauty of Japan in a private tour. 2- This tour is private and can be customized based on your request. Itenerary is shown here, however, you can still customize it in arrangement with the guide. Day-1 09:00 Meeting the Guide 09:30 Nijo Castle 11:00 Kinkakoji Temple 12:30 Ryoanji Temple 14:00 Lunch Break / Nishiki Market 15:30 Fushimi Inari Shrine 17:00 Tour Finish Day-2 09:00 Meeting the Guide 10:00 Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine & Tenryu-ji Temple Garden 11:30 Hozu-Gawa River and Togetsu Bridge 12:00 Monkey's Park 14:00 Lunch 15:30 Kiyomizu Dera temple and Gion area 17:00 Tour finish Day-3 9:00 Meeting the Guide 10:15 Arriving Nara station 10:30 Nara Deer Park Walk 11:30 Kofuku-Ji Temple and Five Storied Pagoda 12:30 Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine 13:30 Lunch Break 14:00 Back to Kyoto 15:00 Tour Finish

Don't miss the chance to visit one of the biggest and oldest markets in Japan - Nishiki Market. Explore the cultural foods and customs that have been practiced for years and discover the Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan. There's so much waiting for you to see. Take the time to explore this amazing city!

This private Kyoto walking tour is designed as the perfect introduction to the city. With a flexible, personalized approach, you'll explore at your own pace while your guide tailors the route to match your interests. Visit famous sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine or the historic lanes of Gion, or focus on the neighborhood where you're staying to get insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Your guide will share local stories, cultural insights, and practical recommendations to help you feel confident navigating Kyoto on your own. After booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire to share your interests and preferences, ensuring your experience is carefully crafted for a truly memorable start to your Kyoto adventure.

This is a Nishiki market private tour using public transportation. The destinations of the tour includes Nishiki market, Sanjusangendo and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Let's try many kinds of seafood and traditional Japanese food while learning from the professional guide about the history of Nishiki market! Take a tour to eat and drink like locals! As an example, there are shops such as Hedgehog wharf, sea urchin, fried fish cake, hamo(pike conger) , Japanese-style egg omelet and more. Meal charges are not included in this tour fee. The average food and drink price per person at Nishiki market is 3,000 yen to 4,000 yen.Depending on the menu you choose, these charges will change. Choose what you like and eat a lot at Nishiki market! After eating, enjoy the ancient buildings in Kyoto and the history about them. For details of the destination, you can look at the what to expect, inclusions and excursions section of this web page.