Nishiki Market ★ 4.7
The kitchen of Kyoto: four covered blocks east-west on Nishikikoji-dori, 130 stalls of pickles, tofu, tea, fish, and the wagashi the city's tea houses use.
Go for: Tsukemono, Tofu, Wagashi, Yuba, Knives, Tea
Food markets, farmers markets and covered halls: where Kyoto shops, snacks and lunches.
Markets to wander
Toji Kobo Market ★ 4.4
Monthly flea-and-food market filling Toji Temple's grounds on the 21st of each month in Kyoto. 1,200 stalls of pickles, sake, knives, antique food gear.
Go for: Antique food gear, Sake, Wagashi, Pickles, Street snacks
Tenjin-san Flea Market at Kitano Tenmangu ★ 4.3
Monthly market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the 25th in Kyoto. Pickle and wagashi stalls outnumber the antiques; the food side runs from the eastern torii.
Go for: Pickles, Yuba, Wagashi, Street snacks
JR Kyoto Isetan Depachika ★ 4.4
The depachika basement of JR Kyoto Isetan, two underground floors of bento, wagashi, sashimi and sweets at Kyoto Station; the city's pre-shinkansen pantry.
Go for: Bento, Wagashi, Sashimi, Pre-train takeaway
Daimaru Kyoto Depachika ★ 4.3
Daimaru Kyoto's depachika basement on Shijo-dori, 70-plus counters of wagashi, bento, sashimi and sake. The downtown alternative to JR Kyoto Isetan.
Go for: Wagashi, Bento, Sashimi, Sake
Takashimaya Kyoto Depachika ★ 4.3
Takashimaya's depachika on Shijo-Kawaramachi in Kyoto. Heavy wagashi line, a tight sushi-counter ring and the city's most coordinated bento takeaway.
Go for: Wagashi, Bento, Sushi, Patisserie
Ohanabatake Saturday Farmers Market ★ 4.2
Saturday-morning farmers market on the Kamogawa riverbank by Demachiyanagi, Kyoto. 50-grower lineup of Kyoto-vegetable farmers, pickle makers and tofu makers.
Go for: Kyoto vegetables, Pickles, Tofu
Kamigamo Handmade Market ★ 4.2
Monthly handmade market on the 4th Sunday at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. 250 craft and food stalls; the wagashi and honey end is the eaters' destination.
Go for: Wagashi, Pickles, Honey, Craft food
Porta Underground Shopping ★ 4.0
The underground passage below Kyoto Station, 120 food and shop counters running from JR to Karasuma Subway. Ramen counters, ekibens and the chain quick lunch.
Go for: Quick lunch, Bento, Ramen, Snacks
Shinkyogoku Shotengai ★ 3.9
The covered shopping arcade north-south between Shijo and Sanjo in Kyoto. 100 shops of street snacks, takoyaki stalls, cheap eats and souvenir food.
Go for: Street snacks, Cheap eats, Souvenirs
Masugata Shotengai Demachiyanagi ★ 4.2
A short Kawaramachi arcade in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto, anchored by Demachi Futaba mochi at the south end. 40 small shops including bento, coffee and grocers.
Go for: Wagashi, Coffee, Bento, Specialty grocer