Best Shopping Areas and Streets in Kyoto

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Facts & Figures

The city of Kyoto in Japan is famous for its huge number of Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a history of over 1000 years. Millions of tourists come here every year for sightseeing and shopping. To make your life easier I selected the most popular shopping areas/streets in the city. It covers department stores, shopping malls, traditional and modern shops, and flea markets. There is something for every budget. Best Ryokans in Kyoto Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Kyoto Ryokan.
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1. Kyoto Station Building

After arriving at Kyoto Station you will be overwhelmed by the shopping facilities like the huge Isetan department store. Start your retail journey at the Porta Underground Shopping Mall and enjoy a huge variety of fashion brands, electronics, cafes, restaurants, and traditional souvenir shops. Nearby shopping complexes can be found underneath the Kyoto Tower and The Cube and Porta (north exit of Kyoto Station). Both are underground shopping streets.

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2. Kawaramachi

Kawaramachi is one of the most popular shopping districts in the heart of Kyoto along the Kamogawa River. Huge department stores like Marui and Takashimaya waiting for you along the main street called Shijo Street (Shijo-dori). The Pontocho Alley, one of my favorite streets in the city, is also located here. The Edo-time atmosphere along this narrow alley is just outstandingly beautiful with many old traditional wooden buildings, tea houses, shops, bars, and restaurants.

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3. Nishiki Market (Kyoto’s Kitchen)

Nishiki Market Kyoto’s Kitchen

Welcome to the food heaven of downtown Kyoto just north of Shijo Street. The market with a history of over 400 years offers in more than 100 shops everything a food lover can wish for. It is the largest traditional food market in the city. Explore the small and narrow alleys full of fresh seafood, traditional sweets, and much much more. If you are here for the first time you should try out fresh sashimi, matcha sweets, and tofu skin (yuba).

4. Hanamikoji Street in Gion

Hanamikoji Street is located within the historic Gion District in Kyoto. Everything in this area is well-preserved and offers a unique Edo-time atmosphere. Enjoy the beautiful traditional wooden merchant buildings, ochaya (teahouses) and explore many unique craft shops offering the perfect souvenir for you. Hanamikoji is one of the most famous streets in the city and once you walk here you will know why.

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5. Kyoto Handicraft Center

Kyoto Handicraft Center ceramics

The Kyoto Handicraft Center is located north of the Heian Shrine (Heian-jingu). It offers on 2 floors items for every budget like yukata, lacquerware, washi (traditional Japanese paper), ceramics, folding fans, swords, and much more. It is a very popular spot for tourists looking for the best souvenirs.

6. Higashiyama

The well-preserved Higashiyama District in the eastern part of Kyoto's city center is full of amazing sightseeing spots. There are two popular and crowded shopping streets called Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. Enjoy the traditional tea houses, wooden storefronts, and restaurants. Come here in the early morning to absorb the atmosphere before the first tourists arrive.

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7. Flea Markets

Every month there are three very popular flea markets in Kyoto. Kobo-ichi Flea Market at Toji Temple, Tenjin-san Flea Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Tezukuri Ichi Flea Market at Chionji Temple.

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My tips for local activities

Local guide in Kyoto

How about exploring the best parts of my favourite city Kyoto with a local guide? The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take between 2 - 8 hours. For more details check out this page >

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