Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is a covered shopping street about 390 meters long, located in the center of Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, and is widely known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Extending east to west along Nishikikoji-dori from Teramachi-dori to Takakura-dori, the street is lined with more than 130 shops offering a wide range of Kyoto specialties and traditional foods, including Kyoto vegetables, river fish, yuba, namafu, pickles, dried foods, and prepared dishes.

Because it is an arcade-style market, visitors can enjoy shopping and casual eating regardless of the weather. It is also conveniently located about a 3-minute walk from Shijo Station on the subway and Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Line, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad.

History

The origins of Nishiki Market are very old, and it is believed that a market already existed in this area during the Heian period. The area was blessed with high-quality cold groundwater, making it suitable for preserving fish and fresh vegetables, and its proximity to the Imperial Palace helped it develop as a distribution center for fresh fish and produce.

In 1615, at the beginning of the Edo period, it was officially recognized by the Tokugawa shogunate as one of the three major fish wholesalers, along with “Uwano Mise,” “Nishiki no Mise,” and “Rokujō no Mise.” From then on, Nishiki Market began its full history as a fish market. It is also said that fish were already being sold here under the name “Nishiki no Mise” during the Tenshō era (1573–1592), making it a venerable market with a history of more than 400 years.

Food Culture and Commerce

About 126 shops in Nishiki Market are members of the shopping street association, and many of them are long-established specialty stores passed down through generations. In addition to ingredients for Kyoto-style restaurants, kappo, and inns, the market also offers seasonal vegetables and fish used in “obanzai,” home-style Kyoto dishes. It is rich in ingredients that support Kyoto’s food culture, such as Kyoto vegetables, fish from Lake Biwa, hamo (pike conger), guchi (tilefish), and sasa karei (dried flounder).

In recent years, more shops have begun offering street-food-style snacks for tourists and providing multilingual service, further enhancing the market’s appeal as an open and welcoming place. Especially during the New Year period, the market becomes so crowded that walking through it can be difficult, making it one of Kyoto’s seasonal traditions.

Ito Jakuchu and Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market also has a deep connection with the mid-Edo period painter Ito Jakuchu. In 1716, Jakuchu was born as the eldest son of a wholesaler of fresh vegetables near the current west entrance of Nishiki Market. While inheriting the market business, he devoted himself to painting and produced many distinctive works featuring vegetables and fruits, such as “Vegetable Nirvana.”

From 1771 to 1774, during a dispute over the continued operation of Nishiki Market, Jakuchu actively served as a town elder and played a major role in mediating the issue, greatly contributing to the market’s survival. For this achievement, he is also known as “the restorer of Nishiki Market.” Today, artwork inspired by Jakuchu’s works can be seen on shutters and decorations within the market, drawing attention as a space where art and food come together.

The Origin of Nishikikoji-dori

Nishikikoji-dori, where Nishiki Market is located, was called “Gusoku Koji” during the Heian period, a name said to derive from the custom of samurai removing their armor when entering the Imperial Palace. Through later name changes, it became “Nishikikoji” and remains so today.

The street is narrow and long, measuring about 3.3 to 5 meters in width, and the many diverse shops packed closely along both sides create a lively atmosphere that makes even walking there enjoyable. The colorful red, green, and yellow arcade roof is a symbol of Nishiki Market and is also popular as an Instagram-worthy spot.

Gion Festival and Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market also plays an important role in Kyoto’s iconic traditional event, the Gion Festival. During the Procession of the Gods and the Return of the Gods held on July 17 and 24, three portable shrines carrying the deities of Yasaka Shrine parade through the parishioners’ neighborhoods. One of them, Nishigoza, was once carried by residents of Sanyodaimura, but since 1947, its role has been taken over by the Nishikigumi, now the Nishiki Mikoshi Association.

In this way, the merchants of Nishiki Market are deeply involved in local traditional events and continue to contribute to the preservation of Kyoto’s festival culture.

Nishiki Market is more than just a place to shop; it is a special space where visitors can experience Kyoto’s food culture, history, art, and traditions. Having inherited the role of “Kyoto’s Kitchen” over more than 400 years, it continues to serve that role with enduring vitality.