What You Will Do
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
1
Nishiki Market Shopping District
30 minutes
Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.
Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.
2
Gion
1 hour
Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District—Gion can be daunting for a first-time visitor. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. It’s a great way to discover hidden places that locals love, and to hear about Kyoto’s ancient past. Highlights include learning about Geisha culture and rituals, and visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.
3
The Site of Kitaza
15 minutes
You will have original Kyoto Sweets in the beautiful building renovated from Kabuki Theater. The sweets is traditional one, but you can enjoy it by the unique way. You can eat it just here!!
4
Pontocho
30 minutes
Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is packed with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet.
Business hours and closing days of the restaurants, bars and shops along Pontocho vary by establishment, but most places are usually open from around 17:00 to 23:00. Some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments offer English menus.
5
Kennin-ji Temple
1 minute
Kenninji Temple (建仁寺) locates very close to the bustle of Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, the grounds of Kenninji Temple are expansive and pleasant to walk, and the two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) here offer the visitor an oasis of tranquility. It is thought to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
6
Byodoin Temple
30 minutes
Byodoin Temple is known for its Phoenix Hall, which is a National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Extra travel time is expected as it is located in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture
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