Kyoto Day Guides
Kyoto is a city full of history, culture, and delicious food. If you’re looking for a mix of traditional and modern Kyoto, spending a day at Nishiki Market and Kyoto Tower is a great choice. This guide will take you through a fun-filled day, starting with a train ride and ending with a beautiful city view from Kyoto Tower.
Let’s dive into the perfect itinerary for your day!
Start your day by taking the train or subway from the station nearest to your hotel to Shijo Station (Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line) or Karasuma Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line). Both stations are close to Nishiki Market.
Traveler’s Tip: Try to leave early (by 9 AM) to enjoy the market before it gets crowded.
Walking Distance: 5 minutes from Shijo Station
Entrance Fee: Free
Nishiki Market is a long, covered shopping street with over 100 shops and stalls selling fresh seafood, street food, traditional sweets, and souvenirs.
✔ Try street food like sushi, skewers, matcha treats, and yuba
✔ Shop for Kyoto specialties like pickles, knives, and ceramics
✔ Visit stores selling mochi, roasted chestnuts, and green tea
✔ Enjoy food tastings of Kyoto’s local flavors
Traveler’s Tip: Many stalls only accept cash, so bring some yen with you!
After exploring Nishiki Market, relax at a nearby café before your next stop.
Recommended Cafés:
Vermillion Espresso Bar – A stylish café with great espresso and a peaceful atmosphere.
Weekenders Coffee – A hidden gem known for its high-quality coffee.
Ogawa Coffee – A classic Kyoto coffee shop with local blends.
Veg Out (Vegan-Friendly) – A riverside café serving organic, plant-based options.
Walking Distance: Located at the east end of Nishiki Market
Entrance Fee: Free
This small but beautiful shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. It’s a peaceful stop after the busy market.
✔ Touch the sacred ox statue for good luck.
✔ Write a wish on an ema (wooden plaque) and hang it at the shrine.
✔ Enjoy the shrine’s unique glowing lanterns at the entrance.
There are many great restaurants around the market offering different types of food.
Recommended Lunch Spots:
Ippudo Ramen – Famous for its rich tonkotsu ramen.
Sobanomi Yoshimura – A great place for handmade Kyoto-style soba noodles.
Katsukura – Serves crispy and juicy tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet).
Mimikou (Vegan-Friendly Option Available) – Specializes in Kyoto-style curry udon with plant-based choices.
Walking Distance: 5 minutes from Nishiki Market
These two parallel shopping streets are filled with local boutiques, souvenir shops, and traditional Kyoto goods.
Things to See & Buy:
✔ Traditional Kyoto fans, textiles, and Yukata.
✔ Unique Kyoto-style stationery and calligraphy brushes.
✔ Local cosmetics are made with matcha and rice extract.
Train Line: Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line (5 minutes)
From here, it’s just a short walk to Kyoto Tower, your next destination.
Walking Distance: 5 minutes from Kyoto Station
Kyoto Tower is the tallest structure in Kyoto and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
✔ Enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto’s temples, mountains, and skyline
✔ Use telescopes to spot landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari
✔ Explore Kyoto Tower Sando for souvenirs and local sweets
✔ Relax in a Japanese-style public bath in the basement
After the tower visit, relax at a café nearby before dinner.
Recommended Cafés:
% Arabica Kyoto Station – A popular coffee chain known for its great coffee and minimalist design.
Kurasu Kyoto – A stylish café serving Kyoto-roasted coffee.
Wife & Husband – A cozy café with a unique outdoor picnic setup.
AIN SOPH. Journey (Vegan-Friendly) – Serves plant-based desserts and organic coffee.
End your day with a delicious Kyoto-style dinner.
Recommended Dinner Spots:
Kyoto Gogyo – Famous for its burnt miso ramen.
Ganko Sushi – A great place for fresh Kyoto-style sushi.
Okariba – A rustic izakaya serving traditional charcoal-grilled dishes.
Mumokuteki Café (Vegan-Friendly) – Offers plant-based Japanese-style meals.
After dinner, take the train or subway back to the station nearest to your hotel.
Train Options:
From Kyoto Station: Take the JR, metro, or bus, depending on your hotel location.
From Shijo Station: Take the Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line if you are staying near downtown Kyoto.
Traveler’s Tip: If you’re not too tired, take a short evening stroll near Kyoto Station to see the illuminated Kyoto Tower.
