[Kyoto Shopping Guide] Enjoy a Shopping Experience Unique to the Ancient Capital!

A large department store located in the west side of Kyoto Station Building, directly connected to Kyoto Station on all lines.
From Basement 2 to the 11th floor, it brings together shops offering a wide variety of items, from fashion and cosmetics to gourmet foods and crafts.
There are especially many shops selling Kyoto specialties, Japanese sweets, and traditional Japanese goods, making it a great place to look for Kyoto-style souvenirs.

Approx. 40 years ago, Kyoto Ekimae Chikagai Porta opened as Kyoto’s first underground shopping mall, and in 2023 it was integrated with The CUBE, the specialty shopping area in Kyoto Station Building.
It was reborn as a large-scale shopping mall fitting for the gateway to the international tourist city of Kyoto.
With more than 220 stores in total, it offers a wide variety of categories, from gourmet food and apparel to cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, and souvenirs.

KYOTO TOWER SANDO, spread out beneath Nidec Kyoto Tower, the landmark in front of Kyoto Station, is a sightseeing and exchange spot made up of a food hall on Basement 1, a market on the 1st floor, and workshops on the 2nd floor. It is known for offering Kyoto’s food, souvenirs, and experiences, and is loved not only by tourists from Japan and abroad but also by locals.
The food hall on Basement 1 has Approx. 450 seats and features a wide variety of restaurants, from famous Kyoto establishments to currently trending popular spots.
On the 1st-floor market, you’ll find souvenir shops selling Kyoto-style gifts such as kyo-gashi sweets, Kyoto sake, and yatsuhashi. Some shops also offer tax-free service, so you can shop with peace of mind.

Miyakomichi, the Kintetsu shopping street next to Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit, is a historic shopping street that opened in 1964 at the same time as the launch of the Tokaido Shinkansen.
After two renovations, it was reborn with a machiya townhouse-style design based on the theme of “Modern Ancient Capital Style.”
Thanks to its direct connection to the station, it has long been loved by Shinkansen passengers, tourists from Japan and abroad, and local visitors alike.

This multi-purpose commercial facility stretches across both the inside and outside of the Tokaido Shinkansen Kyoto Station ticket gates, bringing together convenient souvenir shops and restaurants that are easy to stop by before or after your trip.
From souvenirs such as Japanese sweets and Kyoto-style goods to bento boxes and light meals you can eat on the train, it offers a full lineup of items that let you enjoy the Kyoto atmosphere.
Inside the Shinkansen ticket gates, in addition to stores where you can buy classic, popular, and carefully selected Kyoto souvenirs and bento boxes, you’ll also find famous establishments such as Nishin Soba Matsuba and the sweets shop Kyo Shimogamo Hosen, making it the perfect place for a final taste and final round of shopping before wrapping up your Kyoto trip.

A department store standing in the Karasuma Oike area, one of Kyoto’s premier downtown districts.
It brings together quality goods across every genre, from apparel, miscellaneous goods, and cosmetics to furniture, home appliances, sporting goods, stationery, jewelry, and gourmet food.
The basement food floor is especially ideal for souvenir shopping, with long-established Kyoto shops and popular stores.

A large commercial complex located on the southwest corner of the Shijo Kawaramachi intersection, Kyoto’s premier downtown area.
Across eight floors from Basement 1 to the 7th floor of the department store, it brings together a diverse range of quality goods, from fashion and interiors to books, jewelry, sporting goods, cosmetics, and food.
In addition, a specialty store zone called T8 opened in October 2023.

A shopping center in the heart of Kawaramachi, Kyoto’s busiest downtown district, where you’ll find the latest trends.
As a hub for Kyoto’s fashion trends, its floors from Basement 1 to the 9th floor bring together brand shops, fashion brands, and miscellaneous goods stores targeting men and women in their teens to 30s.
It is made up of more than 50 stores, including hobby shops, restaurants, and cafes.

A popular multi-purpose commercial facility with stylish shops across four floors.
On the 3rd and 4th floors, you’ll find an original organic cosmetics shop, a craft-focused select shop ideal for souvenir hunting, and a gallery exhibiting works by artists who share the “GOOD NATURE” philosophy, among other offerings.
Through shopping, dining, and art, you can spend a fulfilling time discovering wonderful inspiration that adds color to everyday life.

Nishiki Market is located on Nishikoji-dori, just north of Shijo-dori, one of Kyoto’s main streets.
Its origins date back to when fish shops prospered in this area, and in 1615 it received official recognition from the Edo shogunate, leading to further development.
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” it is lined with ingredients such as Kyoto vegetables, freshwater fish from Lake Biwa, pike conger, tilefish, sasa flounder, yuba, nama-fu, and pickles. You can find almost all of Kyoto’s distinctive ingredients here.

Shinkyogoku-dori runs north to south for Approx. 500 m between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori in central Kyoto City.
Busy every day with local shoppers, tourists, and school trip students, Shinkyogoku Shopping Street became 150 years old in 2022, making it the second-oldest shopping street in Japan.
Covered by an arcade so you can shop comfortably even on rainy days, the street is lined with a wide variety of stores, including fashion shops, souvenir stores, and movie theaters.

A large electronics retailer located in the Shijo Kawaramachi area, the center of Kyoto sightseeing. It is directly connected to Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line, with a route leading to the basement floor, so you can access it without getting wet even on rainy days.
It is open every day until 9pm, and on top of that, it is open 365 days a year. Its flexibility makes it appealing for casual shopping not only at night after a day of sightseeing, but also during breaks in your trip.

A commercial facility with easy walking access from Kyoto’s main areas, including Karasuma Oike and Shijo Kawaramachi.
It consists of three floors from the basement to the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Economic Center, which leads the development of the local economy.
The concept of the 1st floor is “Kyoto in Season.” Its main tenant is the large bookstore Ogaki Shoten Kyoto Main Store, which has gained attention for its curated selection of books on sightseeing, tradition, etiquette, architecture, festivals, cuisine, and more, perfectly suited to a spot located in Kyoto.

A small shopping street located near Heian Jingu Shrine and Okazaki Park.
Its retro arcade, hung with Approx. 1,000 colorful pastel lanterns, has a unique atmosphere that blends nostalgia with something new.
It attracts not only local residents but also many tourists as a photogenic spot for social media.
Approx. 30 stores are gathered along the Approx. 250 m arcade. The lineup is appealing for its wide range of old and new genres, from long-established shops selling everyday goods to cafes, izakayas, craft shops, and galleries.

A historic approach leading to the main gate of the World Heritage site Byodoin. It is located a 10-minute walk from JR Uji Station and just across Uji Bridge from Keihan Uji Station, making it easy to access from either station.
Both sides of the street are lined with long-established Uji tea shops dating back to the Muromachi period, and the fragrance of tea fills the area.
In addition to these long-established Uji tea shops, there are also plenty of stores selling specialties unique to Uji and souvenir shops.

A historic shopping street spread through the temple town in front of the World Cultural Heritage site Kiyomizudera Temple.
Along the stone-paved slopes of Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka, you can enjoy a streetscape full of Kyoto charm, with renovated old houses and machiya-style buildings lining the way.
Approx. 50 shops line the street, offering Japanese goods, souvenirs, restaurants and cafes serving matcha sweets, and more.
It is an area you can enjoy simply by walking, whether you’re picking out classic souvenirs such as yatsuhashi and Kyoto pickles, or tasting yuba, Kyoto cuisine, and matcha sweets.
Another delight is being able to take in Kyoto-like spectacular views created by Yasaka Pagoda and the historic townscape during your stroll.

A shopping street located along the approach from Shijo Ohashi Bridge and Gion-Shijo Station to Yasaka Shrine.
Historic long-established stores and specialty shops line Shijo-dori as well as Yamatooji-dori, Hanamikoji, and Higashioji-dori.
This local shopping street values Gion’s long history and is also deeply involved in traditional events such as the Gion Festival.
Many of its shops are loved not only by tourists but also by local customers, and you can enjoy dining, shopping, and strolling while experiencing Kyoto’s traditions.