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Kyoto’s shopping scene blends modern and traditional, from bustling downtown streets and high-end department stores to historic arcades and the famous Nishiki Market.
Kyoto Station is also a major hub for last-minute gifts, while specialty shopping streets invite you on a little adventure, where wandering charming alleys and lanes reveal hidden gems.
In this guide, I’ll share top shopping spots, must-buy items, and insider tips for Japanese gifts and souvenirs.
What to Buy in Kyoto
Image courtesy of Asahido
When in Kyoto, don’t miss the chance to shop for traditional Japanese crafts and local delicacies. Must-buy souvenirs include artisanal treasures such as Kiyomizu-ware ceramics, lacquerware items like chopsticks and bowls, hand-painted folding fans, washi paper, and luxurious Nishijin-ori textiles and kimonos.
Foodies should pick up high-quality matcha from Uji, cinnamon-flavored yatsuhashi, wagashi, sake, and specialty furikake.
Other must-buy items include incense, silk fabrics, modern takes on traditional clothing like tabi shoes, Kokeshi dolls, Aritsugu knives, woodblock prints, and aburatorigami blotting paper.
Best Places to Shop for Kyoto Souvenirs
Kyoto offers a variety of shopping experiences, from bustling downtown streets and covered arcades to historic districts and lively markets! Explore each area to find the perfect mix of traditional crafts, local delicacies, and unique souvenirs.
1. Downtown Kyoto - Best for Modern & Traditional Shopping
Kyoto’s downtown, centered around Shijo-dori and Kawaramachi, is the city’s bustling shopping hub where modern fashion meets historic charm. Here, pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with department stores, boutiques, and covered arcades, offering everything from high-end international brands to traditional Kyoto crafts.
Shijo-dori & Kawaramachi – For Modern Items
Image courtesy of Kyoto Kawaramachi
These areas are ideal for first-time visitors seeking a mix of modern and traditional souvenirs in one location.
Shijo-dori (Shijo Street) provides a seamless blend of old and new. Stretching about one kilometer between the Kamogawa River and Karasuma Street, the area features traditional shops, department stores, and international brands.
At the Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection, you’ll find major department stores like Daimaru Kyoto, offering fashion, cosmetics, gourmet foods, and artisanal crafts.
The area is also home to high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, alongside a variety of boutiques, chain stores, drugstores, and electronics shops.
Traveler’s Tip: Visit Sou Sou for modern kimono, patterned kimonos, bags, scarves, and kids’ clothes. Morita Washi and Kamiji Kakimoto are the places to go for traditional Japanese washi paper and related crafts.
Teramachi & Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades – For Traditional Crafts
The covered streets make it easy to shop here even on rainy days.
Visitors can explore Japanese lacquerware, incense, artisanal Japanese knives, embroidered sukajan jackets, tabi shoes, and Kyoto-inspired clothing, alongside local crafts such as textiles, bamboo goods, and unique souvenirs.
The arcades also feature quirky items, luxury second-hand products, and cultural experiences, including samurai and ninja gear.
Traveler’s Tip: Zohiko is a premier shop for traditional lacquerware.
Nishiki Market - For Food Souvenirs
Image courtesy of No Destinations
This is perfect for tasting local delicacies while shopping. A must for foodies!
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a vibrant, 400-year-old shopping street famous for its wide variety of fresh ingredients, local delicacies, and traditional Kyoto foods.
Visitors can browse artisanal crafts, kitchen tools, and Kyoto-themed souvenirs while sampling specialties like yuba, pickles, seafood, and seasonal treats.
Traveler’s Tip: Visit Aritsugu, a 450-year-old kitchen knife store known for its legendary handcrafted kitchen knives.
In Nishiki Market, try the iconic tako tamago (baby octopus with a quail egg inside), soymilk doughnuts, yuba (tofu skin) sashimi, and obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking). Sample various pickles (tsukemono) and enjoy fresh, warm senbei (rice crackers) and curry bread.
2. Kyoto Station - Best for Last-Minute Shopping
Image courtesy of Good Luck Trip Japan
Perfect for travelers with luggage or those picking up gifts before leaving the city, Kyoto Station offers a wide variety of shops under one roof. You can find Kyoto’s yatsuhashi, senbei, warabimochi, fashion items, cosmetics, and other small crafts.
Major shopping spots include JR Kyoto Isetan, which features upscale fashion, cosmetics, crafts, and a gourmet food hall, and ASTY Kyoto, where ASTY Square offers pickles and wagashi, while ASTY Road provides Japanese souvenirs and a selection of local cuisine.
Traveler’s Tip: Skip the hassle of searching around and visit Japanese Taste Kyoto, a one-stop shop for a handpicked selection of unique Japanese gifts, snacks, beauty, and lifestyle treasures.
3. Kyoto Flea Markets - Best for Antiques, Vintage Finds
If you’re looking for ceramics, secondhand kimonos, vintage textiles, handmade crafts, or festival foods, head to To-ji Temple and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
The To-ji Temple Market (Kobo-ichi) takes place on the 21st of each month at the UNESCO-listed To-ji Temple, famous for its five-story pagoda, and features ceramics, plants, kimonos, secondhand goods, household items, and Japanese street food.
The Kitano Tenmangu flea market, held on the 25th of each month, is another highlight, with hundreds of vendors selling antiques, crafts, tools, toys, and festival foods.
Traveler’s Tip: The best places to find ceramics are at the flea markets.
Also, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine itself is a stunning spot during autumn, with hundreds of maple trees lining the river, open to the public from late October to early December, and evening illuminations highlighting the vibrant foliage.
4. Higashiyama District - Best for Kyoto Pottery, Handmade Crafts
If you want to bring home pottery, handmade fans, incense, chopsticks, masks, or washi paper, the historic streets of Ninen-zaka and Sannenzaka in Higashiyama are the perfect place to explore.
These stone-paved lanes and wooden buildings preserve the traditional charm of old Kyoto, and the area is filled with shops offering a wide variety of handcrafted goods and traditional souvenirs, making it ideal for those seeking authentic Kyoto crafts.
This area is also home to the famous wooden Starbucks in a traditional machiya townhouse over 100 years old. It can get crowded, but the experience is well worth it!
Traveler’s Tip: Visit Niimi for incense and unique fragrances, and Asahido for Kyoto ceramics.
5. Gion District - Best for Kyoto Fabric Goods
Image courtesy of Okan Arts
Gion is the best place to go for those seeking handmade purses and bags crafted from traditional fabrics, silk stoles and scarves, folding fans (kyo-sensu), Kyo-yaki pottery, lacquerware, artisanal soaps and lip balms made from natural ingredients, charms, and handcrafted jewelry.
Visitors can also rent kimonos for a geisha-inspired experience while strolling the historic streets, adding to the immersive cultural vibe.
Traveler’s Tip: Shinmonzen and Furumonzen, branching east from Nawate-dori, are home to Gion’s finest traditional craft and antique shops.
6. Arashiyama - Best for Kyoto Bamboo Crafts, Silk Items
Image courtesy of Japan Journeys
Arashiyama is a delightful shopping area where you can find bamboo crafts, folding fans, handcrafted silk items, chirimen textiles, sweets, matcha treats, and character-themed souvenirs like Rilakkuma (!!! I’m a fan) and Miffy.
Key spots include Arashiyama Shopping Street, Shoryuen Mall, and the colorful Kimono Forest.
Traveler’s Tip: Visit Arashiyama Shoryu-en for specialty shops. Kyozu, a dessert shop, is also popular for tofu soft cream!
Kyoto Shopping Tips
To make the most of your shopping experience, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Etiquette: Always handle products gently and ask before taking photos.
- Tax-Free shopping: Many stores provide tax-free service for foreign visitors when spending over ¥5,000.
- Cash vs. card: While department stores and malls accept cards, smaller markets and shops may be cash-only.
- Luggage: If you’re shopping while traveling, consider using lockers at Kyoto Station for convenience.
- Timing: Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal to avoid crowds, especially at Nishiki Market and tourist-frequented streets.
Lastly, take your time and follow your curiosity down side streets! You’ll often find hidden gems and charming cafes along the way. Enjoy shopping!
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