Kyoto pickles
In wooden barrels.
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nesnad — CC BY 4.0 · collinox — CC BY 2.0 · jmsuarez — CC BY 2.0 · Carla Abanes from Malolos City, Philippines — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marko Kudjerski from Toronto, Canada — CC BY 2.0 · Nesnad — CC BY 4.0 · EverJean from Nishiki Ichiba, Kyoto — CC BY 2.0
A narrow covered market in central Kyoto, on Nishikikōji Street parallel to Shijō Street, which locals call «Kyoto's kitchen». Its name means «brocade market». Fish has been sold here since as early as 782, thanks to cold groundwater that kept food fresh close to the Imperial Palace, and the market received official permission to sell fish in 1615. It stretches several hundred metres under a coloured glass roof, lined with more than a hundred small shops: traditional Kyoto pickles, tofu, green tea, Japanese sweets, grilled seafood on sticks and snacks, along with famous Japanese kitchen knives and chopsticks. Walking it is free. Most shops open from about 10:00 to 17:00 or 18:00, and some close on Wednesdays, per visitor guides. The market asks visitors not to eat while walking, so eat at the stall. Much of the food is seafood or meat of unstated origin, so ask about ingredients if you follow a special diet.
In wooden barrels.
Japanese flavours.
Over the whole lane.
Nishikikōji Street, central Kyoto, north of Shijō
The market asks visitors not to eat while walking, so eat at the stall where you bought it; walking around is free.
