Booking is currently not available for this experience. Please check back later.

Downtown Kyoto Local Food Tour

(1)
Detail
Detail
Detail
Show all photos
Detail
Share
Save
Show all photos
Summary
Highlights
Experience Details
Experience Location
Reviews
Duration
3 hours
Number of Guests
1 - 8 guests
Language
Japanese, English
Other
Gluten-free, Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescetarian, Regional food

Explore the downtown area of Kyoto City, munching on some delicious food samples. You'll visit a number of famous shops, restaurants, and local foodie stops along the way!

Highlights

  • Explore the downtown area of Kyoto with a local guide, and learn about Kyoto local food and establishments that have long served the city delicious delights

  • Discover about the cultural history of food shops and restaurants that you might have otherwise just walked past

  • Learn about Japanese culture and food, tasting samples along the way!

  • Taste a variety of different Japanese foods such as takoyaki, taiyaki, croquette, rolled omelet, local pickles, local seafood, Japanese spices, and more!

For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
+
Host will donate 7 meals

Experience Details

The Downtown Kyoto area is buzzing with local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, each boasting their own unique flavors from the beautiful city of Kyoto and its surrounds. The careful craftsmanship embedded in Kyoto’s culture extends to the local food, which is made from regional produce and high-quality ingredients. Kyoto’s downtown is full of shops and food stops which are frequented by locals, although these culinary delights are often overlooked by tourists. This Downtown Kyoto Local Food Tour is the perfect opportunity to find out exactly what’s behind the food culture of Kyoto, tasting local food and meeting the makers of local products.


Experience “true” Kyoto local food during this food tour, where you’ll visit various stores in the central downtown area. Your friendly guide will introduce artisanal shops and unique local restaurants selling specialty dishes and ingredients, explaining about the history of Kyoto local food in-depth at different stops. You’ll find yourself exploring the unique underground food halls attached to decadent department stores called “depachika,” bursting with delicious food samples. You’ll visit a unique Japanese chocolate shop with over 15 years of history, and the flagship cafe established in the 1940s that’s famous for its milk. You’ll visit artisanal confectionary shops and old-style traditional cafes, a local pickle shop, a grocery store, a Japanese kitchen tool shop, and even a soba noodle restaurant that was once visited by Steve Jobs.


Exploring a selection of local shopfronts, you’ll learn about the history of these stores and the cooking methods used to make the delicious specialty foods. Along the way, you’ll taste all kinds of street food and Japanese cuisine, such taiyaki (fish-shaped waffles), takoyaki (octopus balls), dashimaki-tamago (rolled Japanese omelet), and many more delicious surprises!

Inclusions

  • A 3-hour food tour of the downtown Kyoto area

  • In-depth knowledge from an English-speaking local guide

  • Some Japanese food samples

Exclusions

  • Any additional food or drink purchases

Meeting Point and Meeting Time

  • The meeting point is in front of Karasuma Oike Station, Exit 5. The tour starts at 10am.

Remarks

  • For vegetarian customers, fish and meat can be replaced with vegetables and other ingredients.

  • Other dietary requirements can be accommodated for, please let us know.

  • Children under 5 are free of charge.

  • Upon booking, you can expect a confirmation within 24 hours. Once confirmed, present your booking information at the experience.

  • Please wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.

Read more

Experience Location

The bustling Downtown area of Kyoto is the heart of the city, loaded with hotels, artisanal shopfronts, specialty restaurants, and hidden bars. With pleasant surprises around every corner and alleyway, before the Kamo-gawa River to the east lies the beautiful old town architecture of Pontocho, nestled in alongside the local izakaya and lively club scene. The enormous Teramachi and Shinkyogoku shopping arcades run north to south, intersected by the famous Nishiki Markets (“Kyoto’s Kitchen”), while delicious department store basements bubble below with tasty regional samples.

Get Directions
Book This Experience
Select at least 1 guest
Select Guest
Select at least 1 guest
Adult
(13 - 90)
0
Child
(6 - 12)
0
Clear
Apply
Date
Select Date
Date
December
2024
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930311234
Time
Select Time
Time
Earliest available date: December 9, 2024
from
¥8,500
per guest
Book Now
Please note that the time is in Japan Standard Time.
Free cancellation (2 days notice)
For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
+
Host will donate 7 meals
You may also be interested in these experiences
Food Tours
KYOTO
Evening in Gion: Kyoto Walking & Food Tour

Stroll through the lantern-lit streets of Gion, Japan’s most famous geisha district, in this family-friendly Kyoto food and walking tour. See Pontocho and the Yasaka Shrine, and enjoy sashimi, tempura, karaage and drinks at two izakaya restaurants.

from¥15,000
(1)
Regional food
Food Tours
KYOTO
Tea Ceremony, Matcha & Wagashi Making in a Kyoto Home

Join a tea ceremony experience in Kyoto! Learn about the history of Japanese tea, watch a ceremonial matcha demonstration, and make and enjoy matcha and traditional wagashi sweets. You’ll leave with newfound knowledge and unforgettable memories!

from¥8,000
(2)
Food Tours
KYOTO
Uncovering Uji: Premium Tea, Shrines & Spirituality in Kyoto

Uncover the intricacies of Japanese tea via a road less traveled in Uji–Kyoto's most famous tea-producing region. You'll learn the nuances of regional teas, soak up Uji's history, and journey to cultural landmarks alongside a knowledgeable host.

from¥9,450
(2)
Tea experience
Private Experience
Food Tours
KYOTO
Small Group, All-Inclusive Kyoto Night Food and Culture Tour

Experience the vibrant nightlife of Kyoto! This intimate tour takes you along the cobbled walkways of the geisha district of Gion, and along the historic streets of Pontocho, stopping for dinner and drinks at cool local restaurants and niche bars.

from¥13,125
(31)
With 2 drinks