The 8 Best Nishiki Market Tours in Kyoto

1.Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,355 reviews · from $68Our pick

Start near Shijo Bridge, walk through Pontocho and Nishiki Tenmangu, then spend most of three hours tasting Kyoto specialties in Nishiki Market. Guides such as Yuki, Yusuke, Chie, and Hikaru add food tips, culture, and history before a restaurant brunch.

“The first half was spent walking to Nishiki Market. It was interesting but we had heard much of this information already from other tours. Nishiki market was fun, but very crowded. We spent about 45 minutes there and then had lunch at a restaurant outside the market. Good tour but not all Nishiki market.”

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2.Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · from $65

At Maikoya Nishiki, choose a traditional kimono, have your hair arranged, then join a tea master for a guided matcha ceremony on tatami. You’ll learn the ritual’s history, make your own tea, taste wagashi sweets, and have time for photos. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.

“It was such a peaceful process watching our hostess show us a traditional tea ceremony. And so much fun choosing our kimonos and having our hair done. Totally recommend this experience!!”

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3.Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · from $80

Explore Nishiki Market with a guide such as Keiko, Takuma, Annie, or Atsu, tasting Kyoto foods while learning about Shinto worship, Buddhist temples, and local shopping streets. The six-person maximum keeps the walk personal, though food choices are not suitable for strict dietary restrictions.

“Fantastic sprint thru Nishiki market where we ate some amazing food and left stuffed (the Kobe minced meat pies were unbelievable!).”

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4.Nishiki Market Tea Ceremony with Koto Performance

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 294 reviews · 1 hour · from $56

At KOTOLILY KYOTO near Nishiki Market, Yurika guides you through matcha making, tea etiquette, sweets, and a live koto performance in English or Japanese. The small group is limited to eight. Kimono photos and a short koto lesson are available for an extra fee.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The tea ceremony was very elegant and the music was beautiful. Our host was very friendly and personable. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Kyoto.”

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5.Local Food Tasting Tour at the Nishiki Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 135 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $78

Explore Nishiki Market with an English-speaking guide such as Ayu, Toshi, or Takuma, tasting yuba, obanzai, hamo tempura, wagyu steak, and other Kyoto treats. The walk also visits shrines, shopping arcades, and traditional streets, with an optional 90-minute tea ceremony afterward.

“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.”

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6.Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Oritzuruya, Nishiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · from $50

At Nishiki Orizuruya, choose from more than 200 kimono designs, receive simple hairstyling, and learn tea ceremony customs from an instructor. You will watch the formal ritual, whisk your own matcha, taste wagashi, and may add a calligraphy lesson.

“The tea ceremony is performed by someone else and you watch. I thought we participated in it but that is not the case. All you do is stir / froth the matcha. You get to drink the tea and have a sweet treat but the whole experience was short and felt a bit rushed. I guess it is geared for tourists. Did not really seem very authentic to me.”

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7.Nishiki Market and Depachika Food Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 76 reviews · 2 hours · from $42Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Apple Kyoto for a small-group walk through Daimaru Kyoto’s depachika food hall, Nishiki Market, and Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine. Sample yuba sashimi, a soy milk donut, Nishiki gyoza, and hamo tempura. Guides such as Mao, Jasmine, Ai, and Boris add local food knowledge.

“Tour guide spoke English, very knowledgeable; pleasant, friendly and very professional! Explained the various foods as we went through the tour encouraged us to ask questions of some foods we sampled took us to unique food places - very educational thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Worth the dollar spent! Thank you.”

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8.Nishiki Market Tour with a Local Foodie & Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, then walk through Teramachi Street and Nishiki Market. Expect 90 minutes of shrine stories, local food advice, and tastings that may include seafood, sweets, pickles, sake, tofu, and other Kyoto specialties. Drinks cost extra.

“Kaito was very informative and eager to show us around! Very friendly guide who was easy to ask questions to and have a chat with. Food taken to was amazing and definitely worth the price of the tour!”

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