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Where are Kyoto's Four Great Food Walking Places? The sweet and salty food you must try!

KYOTREAT Editors

The Complete Guide to Kyoto's "Street Food" | 13 Recommended Spots in Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Nishiki Market, and Fushimi Inari

One of the joys of sightseeing in Kyoto is “strolling and sampling local foods.” Although Kyoto City is compact, the atmosphere changes dramatically from one area to the next, so the more you walk, the more new charms you’ll discover.

In this article, we’ll introduce a carefully selected list of shops perfect for eating on the go, chosen from four classic areas: the Kiyomizu-dera Temple Approach, Arashiyama, Nishiki Market, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine Approach.

Important Notice: Since business hours, prices, and product offerings are subject to change, we recommend checking the latest information on each store’s official website or social media before visiting.

Table of Contents

Kiyomizu Temple approach area(Ito-ken/SOU・SOU Shimizu Store, Shimizu Kyōami)

■Arashiyama Area(Yuba Cheese Honpo, Kawakatsu Sohonke, Kyoto Baum, Nakamuraya Sohonten)

■Nishiki Market(Nishiki Ichiyo & Mamemono to Taiyaki, Dr. Karikari, Kiyoe Over Flowers, Gyoryoku, Torisei, Hamahide)

■Fushimi Inari approach area(Kyomame-an)

■Etiquette for Eating Out

■ Summary

Kiyomizu Temple approach area

Photo: Photo AC

The approach roads leading to Kiyomizu-dera—Kiyomizu-zaka, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka—are lined with souvenir shops and street food stalls. If you take a different slope on the way there and back, you’ll discover even more shops.

Ito-ken / SOU・SOU Shimizu Branch

This store is the result of a collaboration between “Ito-ken,” a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1864, and “SOU・SOU,” a Kyoto-based textile brand. Located along Sannenzaka, the approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it’s just a 3-minute walk from the temple, making it easily accessible.

The store’s signature item is “Kushi Wagashi”—a tiered skewer featuring Japanese sweets in various flavors (such as white bean paste, yuzu kin-tama, yokan, uiro, and matcha)—which is popular for eating on the go as a takeout treat. The shop also offers a selection of SOU・SOU-style merchandise featuring playful number motifs, as well as “Amber Soda” (500 yen) with jelly inside.

  • Address: 3-315 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 3-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple / About a 7-minute walk from the "Kiyomizu-michi" bus stop / About a 20-minute walk from the Keihan "Kiyomizu-Gojo" and "Gion-Shijo" stations
  • Official Website:https://www.sousou.co.jp/other/itoken-sousou/

Kyomi Shimizu

Founded in 1982, this small dessert shop along Shimizuzaka has been in business for over 40 years. Its signature item is the “Yatsuhashi Cream Puff” (around 300 yen each), featuring a choux pastry shell made with Yatsuhashi dough blended with nikki (cinnamon) and generously filled with matcha or vanilla cream. The combination of the crispy, crunchy pastry and the lightly sweetened cream has earned the shop a great reputation.

  • Address: 1-262-2 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 20-minute walk from Keihan “Kiyomizu-Gojo Station” (it’s convenient to get off at the Kiyomizu-zaka bus stop)
  • Official Website:https://www.kiyomizukyoami.com

■Arashiyama Area

Photo: Photo AC

"Nagatsuji Street," located in front of the Randen "Arashiyama Station," is Arashiyama's main street, featuring a 600-meter stretch of restaurants and street food stalls.

Photo: Photo AC

Yuba Cheese Honpo Arashiyama Honten

This specialty shop is run by “Kyoto Saga Ryori Yoshiya,” which has been crafting tempura based on traditional Japanese culinary techniques in Arashiyama for over 70 years. Its signature dish, “Yuba Cheese,” consists of fish paste wrapped in yuba and deep-fried; it’s known for the combination of a crispy yuba crust and melt-in-your-mouth cheese. The shop also offers several other variations, such as yuba mentaiko and shrimp mayo.

  • Address: Sagatenryuji Mugino-Baba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Ryoya Hon-dori Store)
  • Directions: About a 1-minute walk from "Arashiyama Station" on the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railway)
  • Official Website:https://yosiya.jp/yosiyahondoriten/

Kawakatsu Sohonke Arashiyama Store

Founded in 1917 (Taisho 6), this long-established Kyoto pickle shop boasts a history spanning over 100 years. With multiple locations throughout Kyoto City, the shop is known for its pickles that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients while minimizing the use of additives. At the Arashiyama branch, the “Refreshing Lemon Cucumber”—a popular on-the-go snack featuring a whole cucumber skewered and lightly pickled, served with a slice of lemon—is a hit, praised for its balance of refreshing tartness and the just-right saltiness of the light pickle.

  • Address: 40-53 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 2-minute walk from "Arashiyama Station" on the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railway)
  • Official Website:https://www.kawakatu.com/

Kyo-Baam Arashiyama

This specialty store sells “Kyobaamu,” a matcha Baumkuchen that has been a popular staple among Kyoto souvenirs since its release in 2008. The Arashiyama store opened on October 1, 2022. The shop is known for its moist and soft Baumkuchen, made by layering a batter of domestic wheat and Kyoto-grown soy milk blended with Uji matcha and sencha tea, and baking it in multiple layers.

There’s also a wide selection of items to enjoy right at the store, such as “Tabe-aruki Kyoto Baum” (320 yen)—a stick-shaped treat perfect for eating on the go—and soft-serve ice cream available in matcha, soy milk, or mixed flavors (around 580 yen each).

  • Address: 20-25 Saga Tenryuji Zoujicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 1-minute walk from the "Arashiyama Station" on the Randen Line
  • Official Website:https://kyobaum.com/

Nakamuraya Sohonten

A butcher shop beloved in Arashiyama for over 60 years. Its specialty is freshly fried croquettes made with carefully selected Wagyu beef, and it is known as the pioneer of Arashiyama’s “street food” scene. In 2017, they also opened “Nakamuraya Sōzai Seisakusho,” which offers items such as beef cutlet sandwiches. Their croquettes, made with domestically grown potatoes and ground beef, are popular for their crispy coating and fluffy interior.

  • Address: 20 Ryumon-cho, Tenryuji Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 2-minute walk from the "Randen Saga Station" on the Randen Line
  • Official Website:https://www.nakamuraya.website/

■Nishiki Market

Photo: Photo AC

Nishiki Market, known as the “Kitchen of Kyoto,” is a shopping district with a history of about 400 years. Stretching about 390 meters, it features a diverse array of shops selling Kyoto vegetables, pickles, dried goods, fresh produce, and obanzai, and is known as a treasure trove for foodies who enjoy eating on the go.

Nishiki Ichiyo & Mamemono and Taiyaki

This shop is popular for its palm-sized, perfectly round taiyaki. It’s recommended to eat them before the butter melts completely, and they come in a variety of flavors, including sweet red bean paste, custard, and red bean paste with butter.

  • Address: 185-2 Higashi Uoya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 4-minute walk from "Karasuma Station" on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
  • Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mametai_ichiha/

Dr. Crunch.

A takoyaki shop filled with the aroma of savory sauce. Known for its Kyoto-style takoyaki, which features a fluffy exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth interior, with a rich dashi flavor. It’s also recommended for those who want to enjoy the difference in taste compared to Osaka-style takoyaki.

  • Address: 185-6 Higashi Uoya-cho, Nishiki-koji Yanagibaba Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 4-minute walk from "Karasuma Station" on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
  • Official Website:http://www.karikari.jp/food

Kiyoe before flowers

Opened in 2012, this restaurant is famous for its croquettes fried in olive oil. It features flavors characteristic of Kyoto, such as tofu skin croquettes and croquettes made with matcha, and the aftertaste is lighter than that of typical fried foods. The menu also includes a selection of appetizers, such as squid tempura.

  • Address: 1F Sashiano-Bldg., northeast corner of Nishikikoji-dori Gokomachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 3-minute walk from "Kyoto Kawaramachi Station" on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
  • Official Website:http://www.hanayori-kiyoe.jp/

fishing power

Founded in Taisho 8, this long-established fish market specializes in grilled fish. Customers can watch the fish being filleted right at the counter, and the display features skewered tempura, cutlets, and teriyaki dishes. Among these, the “Hamo Tempura”—made with conger eel from the Seto Inland Sea—is particularly popular, offering a crispy texture and the authentic flavor of conger eel in a convenient, easy-to-enjoy form.

chicken fillet

A long-established chicken specialty shop in Nishiki Market with a history of over 100 years dedicated solely to chicken. The shop carries locally raised free-range chickens slaughtered that morning and duck meat, and is renowned for its exceptional freshness. For those looking to eat on the go, the “chicken char siu skewers”—slow-cooked to perfection—are a popular choice, and the shop also offers a wide selection of take-home items, such as fried chicken.

  • Address: 186 Higashi Uoya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Directions: About a 10-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
  • Official Website:https://www.kyoto-torisei.jp/

(in Northern Japan) conger eel

A relatively new restaurant that opened in late 2017. Although the name includes the word “hamo” (conger eel), the signature dish is the “ebi-kushi”—three large shrimp skewered together—which can be enjoyed simply with salt or lemon. The restaurant also offers alcoholic beverages, including local sake from Kyoto.

■Fushimi Inari approach area

Photo: Photo AC

The area around Fushimi Inari Taisha, including the neighborhoods near JR Inari Station and Keihan Fushimi Inari Station, is dotted with restaurants perfect for eating on the go. The back approach to the shrine is lined with food stalls, creating a lively, festival-like atmosphere.

Kyoto dialect

This shop is known for its handmade sweets made with tofu. Its specialty is a rich soft-serve ice cream that has been featured on TV and in magazines for being so firm that “it won’t fall out even if you turn the cup upside down.” You can choose from three varieties—silken tofu, black sesame kinako tofu, and Uji matcha tofu (exclusive to the Fushimi Inari branch). It has a chewier texture than typical soft-serve ice cream and is prepared with a subtly sweet flavor.

■Etiquette for Eating Out

All of Kyoto's food-tasting spots are crowded, so it's important to follow proper etiquette while enjoying them.

  • Avoid eating or drinking while walking; eat in front of the store where you made your purchase or in designated areas.
  • Please use the trash cans at each store or take your trash home with you.
  • In crowded alleys, be considerate of other pedestrians so as not to obstruct their path.
  • Please refrain from taking photos of maiko, geiko, and other visitors or passersby without their permission.
  • For items that require the use of dishes or cups, check the return location before using them.

■ Summary

Kyoto’s four major food-touring areas—the Kiyomizu-dera Temple Approach, Arashiyama, Nishiki Market, and the Fushimi Inari Temple Approach—offer a diverse array of culinary delights, ranging from time-honored traditions to trendy new spots. Since business hours and available items are subject to change, be sure to check official information before your visit, and enjoy exploring Kyoto while sampling the local fare.

There are several videos of people eating and walking around on Youtube, so if you would like to know more about the atmosphere and details, please be sure to check them out!

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