I love to eat and some of the most memorable experiences of any vacation come from the food...

Nishiki Market Street, in the middle of Kyoto's shopping district, has drawn in those looking for a good deal and a tasty snack for over 400 years.

Over 130 shops are lined up along the 400 meter stretch. Popular both with locals and tourists, it's earned the nickname "Kyoto's Kitchen." Get a taste of the local food and the culture of Kyoto.

With its long-standing stores offering fresh fish, vegetables, tofu, pickles, and other ingredients, Kyoto's unique Buddhist-influenced home cooking can be sampled here.

You'll also find plenty of stores specializing in traditional Japanese sweets like daifuku, a thin chewy mochi rice cake wrapped around various fillings, or newer treats like soy milk soft-serve ice cream.

Finger foods like omusubi (rice balls) or skewered sashimi-style tuna are perfect to snack on while browsing for something to take back home!

Be careful on Wednesdays and Sundays, as many stores will be closed. We recommend going either before or after lunch to catch the market at its liveliest!

Location: Nishiki-koji Street between Takakura and Teramachi Streets: 5 min walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.

I tried all of these!
Soy Milk Soft Cream 250 yen / Apple Juice 400 yen / Skewered Tuna 150 yen / Omusubi (Rice Ball) 160 yen