Neighbourhood guide

Nakagyō

Kyoto’s foodie centre

Kyoto

The vibe

Kyoto’s centre: Nishiki Market, nicknamed “Kyoto’s kitchen”, the Teramachi shopping arcades, Pontochō alley by the Kamo River and Nijō Castle.

Good to know

At Nishiki Market, eat your skewer at the stall rather than while walking: that’s the market rule.

When to go

Late morning for Nishiki, evening for Pontochō.

Getting there

Subway to Karasuma Oike or Shijō, or Hankyū to Karasuma.

The story

How the neighbourhood came to be

Nijō Castle, built in 1603 for the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, is famous for its “nightingale floors” that chirp underfoot. Nishiki Market has fed the city for centuries.

Did you know?

1Nijō Castle was built in 1603.
2In summer, Pontochō restaurants set up platforms on stilts over the Kamo River.

Want to explore further?

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