Kyoto
Eat like a Kyoto local in and around Nishiki Market
Local Food & Drink Tastings • 3 hours
4.9
(39)
Eat like a Kyoto local in and around Nishiki Market
Wander through the 400-year-old Nishiki Market, trying local specialties like "konna monja" donuts, buttered potato tempura and "dashimaki tamago"
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Eat your way through an especially food-obsessed area of Kyoto with a local host who’ll suggest dishes according to your taste
- Have a formal sit-down dinner, or simply snack on a variety of street foods
- Learn about the history of Kyoto through food – from centuries-old Nishiki Market to traditional kaiseki dining
- Have your helpful host on hand to translate, order, explain and recommend any dish
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a Host
6-8 tastings of various local food specialties
A glass of sake, wine, beer or soft drink
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s not included
Food and drinks (other than the ones included in the experience)
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
The host will be waiting at Matsumoto Kiyoshi Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi under the roof covered area.Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat to bring
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
- Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.
How your day could unfold
A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you mostWhat you’ll do
With a history spanning 400 years and a space of nearly 400 meters, it’s safe to say Nishiki Market has a dish for everyone to try. You’ll discover why Nishiki Market is known as the “central kitchen of Kyoto” while your local host guides you through mouthwatering dishes.
Flit from one store to the next, discover what tako tamago is, and explore a tempura store with over half a century of history and the freshest fried foods before sinking your teeth into the most delicious soymilk donuts.
Keep things moving with a quick trip to a 100-yen sushi bar and have a draft beer in an intimate izakaya. At this small local bar, you’ll share small plates of crispy kushikatsu or take your time at a traditional kaiseki (a traditional, multi-course meal) restaurant.
1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?
Real Stories, Real Connections
See our hosts and guests creating memories
Surrounded by centuries of tradition
Night Lights & Lantern Legends
Charmed in Gion
Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections
Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera
Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto
Morning Light & Timeless Streets
Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around
Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way
Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine
A Table Full of Stories
New Friends in Old Streets
Tempura & Togetherness
The Fox Shrine Crew
Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins
Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company
Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections
Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates
Big smiles and even bigger stories
Soft Steps & Serene Views
From ancient torii gates to new friendships
A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city
Wandering through a forest of giants
A day filled with culture and laughter
Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades
Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm
A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley
The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.
Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope
Pagoda Postcard Vibes
Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted
Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto
Walking through these thousand torii gates
A Ryokan-Style Feast
Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove
Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari
Matcha Dreams Come True
Cocktails with a view
A walk through time
Rural charm and cultural calm
A peaceful pause with Kannon
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What travelers think of this experience
Theang
Apr 2025
We had a great time exploring the food and learning the history of Kyoto. Emi was a great guide - willing and able to flex to our requests! highly recommend this tour and Emi as a guide!
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Beth
Apr 2025
I loved Austen. He showed us around the market in Kyoto and was so open to what we wanted to see and taste. He was full of suggestions and information about the good and history
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Beth
Apr 2025
We went to the nitsuki market and had foods I would have never eaten without his guidence
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Bron
Mar 2025
Michael gave us an afternoon that was full of information, interesting and beyond what we imagined. We are very grateful for the experiences. He was so thoughtful of our mum in a wheelchair.
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Huey
Dec 2024
Michael, our guide was great, full of information and stories. We had many food options, too many: tempura, yakitori, sushi, dessert.
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Aaron
Dec 2024
Ryuki’s knowledge of the food scene combined with his vast knowledge of Kyoto and Japanese history made for a truly unique and fun experience. We tried new foods, went to a standing bar that we never would have visited on our own.
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