7 Market Food Tours in Kyoto to Book This Year

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

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

Spend about three hours walking from Shijo Bridge through Pontocho and Nishiki Tenmangu to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. A guide such as Yuki, Yusuke, Chie, or Hikaru leads up to six people through seven tastings and a sit-down brunch, with tour photos provided. Expect local food, cultural context, and a crowded market.

“It was disappointing😞. While the tour guide Aina was helpful, pleasant and spoke clearly, the food selections were poor. Tasting tours on other countries go to different restaurants and we get a drink with the food. Meat stick shown in the picture was not even an option. Just a large bazaar food court and we didn’t do that many tasting unless you count rice and a sip of black bean tea. Only two tastings were of a reasonable size. I couldn’t tell you if we got any more than two. The only other tasting were tiny samples given out to everyone stopping by. The brunch was one of three small…”

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2.Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

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

Spend about three hours with a guide such as Keiko, Takuma, Annie, or Toshi around Nishiki Market and central Kyoto. Taste local foods, learn shrine customs, browse Teramachi and Shinkyogoku, and see how everyday shopping, religion, and cuisine fit together. The group is capped at six, but dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.

“I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was so disappointing—and frankly exploitative—that I feel obligated to warn others before they waste their time and money. This so-called "food tour" of Nishiki Market was nothing more than Read more”

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3.Kyoto: Local Food Tasting Tour at the Nishiki Market

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

Walk Kyoto’s 400-year-old Nishiki Market with an English-speaking local guide and sample five specialties, including yuba, obanzai, hamo tempura, and wagyu steak skewers. The small group is limited to six, with stops at nearby shrines and shopping arcades. You can also add a 90-minute tea ceremony with kimono dressing.

“We have Toshi, our guide, to thank for a fun time. His positive and enthusiastic personality made this tour fun. He added a nice balance of food, culture and history to his tour. Thank you.”

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4.Kyoto: 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 compact food walk through Daimaru’s basement hall, Nishiki Market, and Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine. Expect yuba sashimi, a soy milk donut, Nishiki gyoza, and hamo tempura, with guides such as Mao, Ai, Boris, and Kats bringing local food knowledge. The group is limited to nine people.

“Brook was a great guide. She has provided great amount of details about food, traditions, different ingredients of the Japanese cuisine. We could taste a lot of food and found the best sake in Kyoto 😉”

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5.Kyoto: 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 and walk through the shrine, Teramachi Street, and Nishiki Market. Expect guided tastings, local food stories, and practical help choosing unfamiliar treats. Guides such as Kaito, Akino, and Hiro are praised for warm conversation and strong food knowledge. Drinks cost extra, and allergies cannot be accommodated.

“The organisation ease and meeting point were great. I had booked for a similar tour to have it cancelled. All worked out fabulously. Kaito was a great source of information and a great guide thr the market & through my marvelous Japaneese food fusion experience. I highly recommend this tour with Kaito - I learnt so much on the cultural level, gastronomically and gained a new respect & insight into the Japaneese way. A wonderful experience I am grateful for his guidance”

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6.Nishiki Market Food Tour with Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 42 reviews · 2h 30m · from $109

Meet an English-speaking guide at Nishiki Market’s western entrance for a private walk through Kyoto’s famous food arcade. Taste samples, learn market manners, choose a donburi dish, then take a taxi to a cooking studio and prepare lunch with ingredients bought during the tour. Guides such as Chie, Momo, and Mio are praised for clear instruction and friendly service.

“The experience was amazing, I recommend it to all those eager to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. Our guide was very kind from the very beginning, providing us with many details on how to prepare traditional dishes. The kitchen was clean and well-stocked. I left the kitchen with a good feeling, and I recommend it to my friends.”

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7.Kyoto: Nishiki Market Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 21 reviews · 3 hours · from $173

Spend three hours with a small group of up to eight people tasting Kyoto specialties at about 10 family-run market stalls. Guides such as Sae, Sanae, Raquel, and Marie have led engaging visits, with tea, a seasonal lunch, shopping time, and food culture included. Wear good walking shoes and flag allergies before booking.

“We had a fun and informative tour with our guide. We have been many times at the market but never had a tour guide. Raquel (our tour guide) was very professional, knowledgeable and pleasant. She made sure we had a great experience. I would highly recommend this service and in particular Raquel! Thank you so much for enriching our trip to Kyoto!!”

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