Nishiki market, Kyoto

Nishiki Market is a four-hundred-year-old market. It has modern and traditional shops selling fresh seafood, vegetables, souvenirs, local sweets, pickled vegetables, popular local food, etc. The market is very clean and packed with locals and tourists. It is a great place to explore local produce and savor Kyoto specialties. It is definitely worth visiting.

One of my favorite stores at the market is the Aritsugu knife shop. They are one of the oldest and most famous knife makers in Japan. The knife selection was impressive and had amazing handiwork. You can even have your initials carved onto the knife. A household kitchen knife would cost around 10,000 yen. They also sell other cutting tools, such as scissors, pots, and pans. I regretted not buying a knife when I was there. I will put that on my list of things to buy on my next trip.

Tofu Manju, Kyoto

There is a little steam bun stand next to Okutan iKyomizu (one of the oldest tofu restaurants in Kyoto) right on the top of Ninenzaka, on the way to the Kiyomizu temple.

The steam bun has a sweet stuffing of okara (soy pulp). The bun is delicately soft and fluffy. Complimentary tea is given with each order. The perfect snack on a cold day. Benches are available where one can sit and people-watch while enjoying the steam bun and tea.

Kagizen Yoshifusa, Gion, Kyoto

image via http://www.kagizen.co.jp/en/store/

Kagizen Yoshifusa is a long-established sweet shop making Kyogashi (Kyoto sweets) in Kyoto. The interior is furnished with old-style furniture and wood panels –
very vintage. All confectioneries are beautifully handcrafted.

There is also a cafe at the Gion branch offering a simple menu consisting of Matcha, mochi, Japanese cake, and their house specialty, “Kuzukiri,” which are noodles made from kudzu starch served with brown sugar syrup.