Kyoto

Best Shopping

Kyoto offers a great mix of traditional and modern shopping experiences. Whether you're looking for craft goods, clothing, food, or other items, you'll find it in Kyoto. Here are some of the top places to shop:

• Nishiki Market: Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", Nishiki Market is a narrow, five block-long shopping street lined with more than a hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you can find local food, spices, cookware, and more.

• Teramachi & Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades: These covered shopping streets are located in downtown Kyoto, just a short walk from Nishiki Market. They offer a mix of shops selling clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and traditional Japanese goods.

• The Kyoto Handicraft Center: This is a great place to find traditional Japanese crafts, including kimonos, ceramics, lacquerware, and bamboo products.

• Furukawa-cho Shopping Street: A shopping street in Higashiyama, which is lined with stores selling local sweets, pickles, tea, crafts, and other goods.

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Shops: While the main attraction is the bamboo grove itself, the surrounding area is full of small shops selling crafts, souvenirs, and local snacks.

• Kiyomizu-zaka Street: The street leading up to Kiyomizu-dera is lined with shops selling ceramics, sweets, pickles, and other Kyoto specialties.

• Kyoto Station: The station itself houses a variety of shops, including a branch of Isetan department store, offering clothing, accessories, food, and more.

• Aeon Mall Kyoto: A large, modern shopping mall with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

• Takashimaya Kyoto Store: Located in the Shijo Kawaramachi area, this is one of Kyoto's upscale department stores.

• Kuraya: This shop specializes in antique Japanese furniture and home goods, ideal for a unique and cultural souvenir.

Entertainment & Nightlife

While Kyoto is often known for its historic and cultural attractions, it also offers a range of nightlife and entertainment options. Here are some ways you can enjoy Kyoto after dark:

• Pontocho Alley: This narrow street along the Kamo River is lined with traditional restaurants and bars. During summer, some establishments build temporary platforms over the river where customers can dine.

• Gion District: Known as Kyoto's geisha district, Gion has many exclusive ochaya (teahouses) where geisha entertain, as well as a range of bars and restaurants.

• Kiyamachi Street: This street runs parallel to the Kamo River and is lined with bars, clubs, and restaurants, making it one of the city's main nightlife areas.

• Gion Corner: Here, you can see performances of seven types of Japanese traditional arts, including tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and puppet plays.

• Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dances): If you're in Kyoto in spring, don't miss this annual event where geisha perform traditional dances.

• Night Walks: Some temples and shrines, such as Kiyomizudera and Kodaiji, have special illuminations during the cherry blossom season and the autumn leaf season.

• Bar-hopping: Try some local sake at a standing bar in Pontocho, or visit one of the many whiskey bars around the city.

• Traditional Theater: Watch a Noh or Kabuki performance for a slice of Japanese high culture.

• Live Music: Kyoto has a number of live houses where you can catch a variety of music, from traditional Japanese music to jazz and rock.

• Kyoto Station: The station itself, particularly its rooftop garden and skyway tunnel, offers wonderful nighttime views of the city.

Local Cuisine

Kyoto is famous for its refined and elegant cuisine, often associated with kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal), vegetarian Buddhist temple fare (shojin ryori), and high-quality matcha tea. Here are some local dishes and food experiences you should consider while in Kyoto:

• Kaiseki Ryori: This traditional multi-course meal showcases seasonal ingredients and culinary craftsmanship. Each dish is delicately prepared and presented to reflect the current season.

• Shojin Ryori: This vegetarian cuisine developed in Buddhist temples and is based on simplicity and mindfulness. The dishes typically include tofu, vegetables, and wild mountain plants.

• Matcha: Kyoto is famous for Uji matcha, a high-quality powdered green tea. Enjoy it in a traditional tea ceremony or in sweets like matcha ice cream and mochi.

• Soba and Udon Noodles: While these are available throughout Japan, Kyoto is known for its high-quality, hand-made versions of these popular noodles.

• Yudofu: This is a simple hot pot dish featuring tofu simmered in a kelp-based broth. It's often enjoyed in the colder months and is a specialty of the Nanzenji temple area.

• Yuba (Tofu Skin): Kyoto's tofu is renowned, and yuba—made from the skin that forms on top of simmering soy milk—is a local delicacy.

• Kyoto Vegetables (Kyo-yasai): Kyoto is famous for its heritage vegetables, many of which have been cultivated for centuries. They often feature in local cuisine due to their unique flavors and textures.

• Sushi: While sushi is not unique to Kyoto, the city has its own regional style known as "Kyoto-style sushi" or "saba-zushi", featuring cured mackerel on top of vinegared rice, wrapped in kelp.

• Pickles (Tsukemono): Kyoto's pickles are highly regarded, often made from local vegetables. They're a common side dish in many meals.

Accommodations

The best area to stay in Kyoto largely depends on what you want to get out of your visit, but here are some popular areas:

• Downtown Kyoto: This area is great for first-time visitors because it's centrally located and offers easy access to many tourist sites. It's also full of restaurants, shops, and bars, and has a lively atmosphere.

• Gion: Known as the geisha district, staying in Gion gives you a chance to see a more traditional side of Kyoto. It's close to popular sightseeing spots like Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, and Maruyama Park.

• Higashiyama: This area is full of historic sights and atmospheric streets, making it a great place for those looking to experience Kyoto's traditional side. It's near the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji, and Heian Shrine.

• Arashiyama: Located in the western part of Kyoto, Arashiyama is a bit further from the city center but offers a more tranquil, scenic environment. You'll be right near the famous bamboo forest, Monkey Park, and several significant temples.

• Karasuma: This area is close to Kyoto Station, making it convenient for day trips out of the city. It's also a modern, bustling area with lots of shopping and dining options.

• Kyoto Station Area: Ideal for those who plan to travel a lot outside Kyoto, as the station serves as the city's main transportation hub. It's also near the impressive Kyoto Tower and several large shopping malls.

• Pontocho: Known for its narrow alley lined with traditional restaurants and teahouses, this area offers a unique atmosphere. It's close to the city center and the Kamo River.