~Walk through Kyoto's kitchen, enjoy breakfast, and start your journey today~
🌅 Plan Overview
Starting point: Villa Kyoto Saiin
- Target audience: Ideal for those who want to start their first day of sightseeing and make the most of their morning
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Target languages: Japanese and English (guiding assistance available)
- Experience content
:① Free tour of Kyoto Central Market or guided mini tour
② Breakfast experience (seafood restaurant delivered directly from the market or retro cafe)
③ Guidance and consultation on the day's Kyoto sightseeing route during breakfast (provision of tourist maps and recommended information)
🗺️ Schedule example (morning session)
| Time Period | Content |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | Depart from Villa Kyoto Nishiin (travel by bicycle or bus) |
| 8:00 | Visit the fisheries or produce section of Kyoto Central Market (photos and experiences allowed) |
| 8:45 | Have breakfast around the market (e.g. Hamaichi Shokudo or Cafe Madrague) |
| 9:30 | While enjoying breakfast, the tourist staff will suggest "Today's recommended sightseeing plan" including weather and congestion |
| 10:00〜 | Start sightseeing on your own (route suggestions for Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, etc.) |
🐟 The appeal of visiting Kyoto Central Market
- One of Japan's leading collection points for fresh fish and produce, even though it's located in the landlocked prefecture of Kyoto.
- A tour of the market where professionals buy goods (photography is allowed).
- Experience rare fish and Japanese cuisine ingredients that are popular with foreigners up close.
- A guided tour (booking required) is also available.
🍳 How to enjoy breakfast
- Experience a luxurious morning with a seafood set meal delivered straight from the market.
- Immerse yourself in Kyoto's "Showa morning culture" at a retro café.
- Staff will be present or provide you with materials, and you can also discuss your sightseeing plans for the day.
→ Real-time advice is also available, such as "Today we recommend Kinkaku-ji Temple, which is not crowded."
💡 Recommended for these people
- "I want to start the morning of my trip to Kyoto with a special experience."
- "I want to feel the local atmosphere and be told about hidden spots."
- "I feel at ease if there is support in English."
📝 Reservations and precautions
- Reservations: Reservations required at least 2 days in advance (for both tours and breakfast)
- Capacity: Up to 4 people per group (Interpreter may accompany)
- Photography allowed inside the market (no flash allowed)
- If you have a preference for where to eat, please let us know when making your reservation
- If you have any allergies, please let us know in advance
📍 Access
We recommend the following ways to get from Villa Kyoto Saiin to the market:
- Walk + bus: about 15 minutes (Nishioji Shijo → Nishioji Shichijo or Nishioji Gojo)
- Bicycle: about 10 to 15 minutes at a leisurely pace
📸 Looks great on social media!
The vivid scenery of Kyoto Central Market and a steaming breakfast of market meals are the perfect material for posting at the beginning of your trip.
Share your travel records with the hashtag "KyotoMarketMorning"!
Kyoto Central Market Fisheries Section Tour
"Why is Kyoto famous for fish even though it doesn't have a sea?"
Starting from such a simple question, here is a new Kyoto experience.
Kyoto Central Market is Japan's first central wholesale market, opened in the Taisho era, and is still loved by many people as "Kyoto's kitchen".
The seafood section in particular is surprisingly lively and has a wide selection of products. Fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Pacific Ocean is gathered here, supporting Kyoto's unique "fish-eating culture".
On the tour, you can experience up close the business areas that are usually off-limits!
It is a valuable time to feel the "living market", such as the auction floor where spirited voices fly, the fish processing process where craftsmanship shines, and the actual trading scene.
Why has Kyoto built such a rich fish culture despite being an inland city?
The secret is hidden in history, distribution, and culinary wisdom.
📍Here are the highlights!
A dynamic auction floor lined with fresh fish
Professional techniques for beautifully preparing fish
The "culture of discerning" that supports Kyoto cuisine
Get up close and personal with the unique human touch and pace of the market
After the tour, we recommend enjoying some seafood bowls and Kyoto pickles in the vicinity.
Make sure to include this in your sightseeing plans as a special experience to see, feel, and taste "Kyoto = the capital of Japanese cuisine."
🌍 Recommended for foreign tourists! 3 Morning Menus in the Kyoto Central Market Area
① Ogawa Coffee Main Store
