Nishiki Market is affectionately known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” In December 2019, “Inoue Tsukudani,” a renowned obanzai shop that had been beloved for 135 years in this shopping district with a history of approximately 400 years, closed its doors to much regret. Did you know that since then, the flavors have been carried on at “Friend Foods Shimogamo,” a popular grocery store in Shimogamo, Sakyo Ward, where you can still purchase these items today?
In this article, we’ll introduce the history of Inoue Tsukudani Shop, the story behind its revival, and information on where you can actually buy their products.
Table of Contents
■What Is “Inoue Tsukudani Shop,” a Store Beloved for 135 Years at Nishiki Market?
■“How We Managed to Make a Comeback | The Super CEO’s Persuasion and Business Succession
■Where to Buy "Inoue Tsukudani Shop" Products | Friend Foods Shimogamo
■summary
■What Is “Inoue Tsukudani Shop,” a Store Beloved for 135 Years at Nishiki Market?
Nishiki Market, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, is one of Kyoto’s oldest shopping districts. Lined with shops selling ingredients unique to Kyoto—such as yuba, Kyoto vegetables, and Kyoto pickles—this area is affectionately known locally as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.”
Located in that corner was “Inoue Tsukudani,” a specialty shop for obanzai founded in Meiji 17 (1884). It offered a wide range of products, from classic side dishes like dried baby sardines with sansho pepper and Manganji chili peppers with kelp to seasonal obanzai. Its traditional style of selling by weight and face-to-face service was beloved by both locals and tourists alike, and it was a renowned shop with many fans who said, “I always stop by when I visit Kyoto.”
However, due to changes in the business environment and a shortage of successors, the company decided to close its doors in December 2019, bringing an end to its 135-year history.
■How We Managed to Make a Comeback | The Super CEO’s Persuasion and Business Succession
Amid a wave of expressions of regret over the closure of Inoue Tsukudani Shop, Shun Fujita, president of “Friend Foods,” a supermarket in Sakyo Ward, has launched an initiative to ensure the shop’s flavors live on.
Friend Foods and Inoue Tsukudani Shop have had a relationship spanning 30 years through their business dealings, including the sale of Osechi dishes. Driven by the desire to “preserve the authentic flavor of this ”real deal’ for both locals and tourists,” Mr. Fujita spent more than half a year persuading Mr. Takeshi Umemura, the owner of Inoue Tsukudani Shop. Ultimately, the business was taken over with Mr. Umemura and three members of his family joining Friend Foods as employees.
Although many of the recipes had been discarded, the production of prepared foods resumed in Friend Foods’ kitchen based on the flavors and techniques etched in Mr. Umemura’s memory. On October 30 and 31, 2020, the “Inoue Tsukudani Shop Revival Festival” was held, and reports indicate it was bustling with fans who had come from as far away as Tokyo.
Nowadays,
- Shredded Dried Fish with Sansho Pepper
- Manganji Chili Pepper and Kelp
- Squid and Myoga Vinegar
- Shrimp Beans
- Comforting Simmered Taro
Dozens of prepared dishes—including classic favorites once beloved at Nishiki Market—are displayed in the store alongside a sign reading “Established in Meiji 17: Nishikikoji Inoue.” Among these, the “Manganji Chili Peppers with Kelp” is renowned as a masterpiece that won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, while the “Dried Sardines with Sansho Pepper” won the Grand Prix in the “Local Supermarket Souvenirs” category at the “Local Supermarket Grand Prix 2022,” earning high praise from both within and outside Kyoto.
■Where to Buy "Inoue Tsukudani Shop" Products | Friend Foods Shimogamo
Inoue Tsukudani Shop’s prepared foods are currently available in the deli section of “Friend Foods Shimogamo,” a supermarket located in Shimogamo, Sakyo Ward. Founded in 1977, Friend Foods is a grocery store with a single location in Shimogamo. Guided by the philosophy of “delivering only authentic, delicious, and wholesome products,” it is a popular store that attracts customers not only from the local area but also from farther afield by offering ingredients carefully selected for their origin and quality.
The store features rare vegetables and fruits, as well as high-quality processed foods. In the prepared foods section, you can purchase dishes by weight prepared by Mr. Umemura, who carries on the tradition of Inoue Tsukudani Shop (prepared foods start at 194 yen per 100g; tsukudani starts at 260 yen per 100g. Prices vary depending on the season and product). These items are not only great for adding a new dish to your daily meals but are also popular as souvenirs from Kyoto.
Basic Information
| Item | Contents |
| Store Name | Friend Foods Shimogamo Store |
| address (e.g. of house) | 10-6 Shimogamo Kitazono-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City |
| Business Hours | 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Closed January 1–3 for the New Year holidays; open until 8:00 p.m. on December 31) |
| Directions | About a 7- to 10-minute walk from Kitayama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line / Right next to the "Kitazono-cho" bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus |
| Parking Lot | Available (Free) |
| Official Website | http://www.friendfood.jp/ |
*Business hours, products, and prices are subject to change. Please check the official website or other sources for the latest information before visiting.
■ Summary
The flavors of the long-established “Inoue Tsukudani Shop,” which has since disappeared from Nishiki Market, are still carried on today through Friend Foods Shimogamo. It’s not just a matter of taking over the products; it’s because the owner himself continues to pass down the flavors and techniques that the shop remains beloved by so many fans.
It’s a bit of a walk from the Nishiki Market area, but if you ever find yourself in the Shimogamo area of Sakyo Ward, be sure to try the obanzai dishes at Inoue Tsukudani Shop Yukari.
