Kyoto has a lot of souvenirs for visitor to choose from. Kyoto’s specialty souvenir shines in the traditional values of their products and crafts. Their craftsmanship doesn’t stop at just decoration and wares, but including their traditional sweets as well. Some of these products can only be find here and nowhere else. Let have a look at what you can get here.
Souvenirs in Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is a place that is rich with cultural, traditional and historical aspect. Coming to Kyoto, you can find a lot of souvenirs of many types: kimono, cooking wares, washi paper products, bamboo crafts, Japanese tea, traditional candy, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and many more.
If there a sentence to summarize what kind of souvenir you can find in Kyoto, it would be “The Best Place to Buy Traditional Japanese Arts, Crafts, and Goods”.
Best Souvenir Shopping in Kyoto
Here are some of the best souvenir shops that you can find in Kyoto:
Kasagen
This is the oldest umbrella shop in Kyoto, famous for selling wagasa, a traditional Japanese umbrella, the one that you often see in Japanese classical movies. The wagasa is handcrafted by their artisan, using washi paper and bamboo.
It is famous with international tourist, but bear in mind, that these wagasa definitely doesn’t come cheap. They cheapest they have can reach around 10,000 yen, but their quality of crafts are worthy of the price. Other than that, they also sell some beautiful miniature of wagasa, geta (traditional wooden slippers), and some other traditional accessories for around 1,000 yen each.
Spot information
- Spot name: Kasagen (かさ源)
- Street address: Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto 605-0073
- Access1: 5 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station
- Access2: 6 minutes-walk east from Shijo Station
Nakamura Tokichi Main Store
Nakamura Tokichi is famous for its tea products. The main branch is in Uji, Kyoto, which is in the southern part of Kyoto. See how the innovate and apply their green tea into many kind of dessert: baumkuchen, ice cream, chocolate, and many more. They also have a cafe for you to dine in and enjoy their green tea products. If Uji is too far for you, they also have a branch near Kyoto station.
Spot information
- Spot name: Nakamura Tokichi Uji Honten (Main Store) (中村藤吉本店)
- Street address: 10 Uji Ichiban, Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
- Access1: 19 minutes on Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Uji Station
- Access2: 3 minutes-walk from Uji Station
Kyoto Handicraft Center
Kyoto Handicraft Center can be considered a one stop center for you to find your souvenirs needs. It has a wide range of souvenirs that visitors can browse through. This 7-storey provides not only items to be bought, but visitor may participate in various crafts workshops as well.
Spot information
- Spot name: Kyoto Handicraft Center
- Street address: 17 Entomicho Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
- Access1: 10 minutes-walk from Jingu Marutacho Station on Keihan Honsen, or 15 minutes-walk from Higashiyama station on Subway Tozai line
- Access2: 2 minutes-walk from Kumanojinjamae Bus Stop
Kyoto’s Souvenir Snacks
Kyoto also has a lot of specialty snack that can is famous, and some can only be found in Kyoto itself:
Inari Cookie
This is a cookie shaped into the fox’s face, and you can only buy these at Sohonke Hogyokudo, just near the exit Fushimi Inari station, on the part towards Fushimi Inari Shrine. Being made with white miso, it gives a very uniquely nice fragrant and taste.
Tsukemono
Tsukemono are famous as a Kyoto’s specialty. In case you are wondering what is tsukemono, it is pickled vegetables. Do try some and get the taste of Kyoto’s special pickles.
Kyoto’s Specialty Kitkat
As you all know, Japan’s Kitkat has a very diverse selection that promotes each of the prefectures specialty, and Kyoto is not out of the list. Try and look for some Uji Matcha (grounded green tea) and Uji Houjicha (roasted green tea). The Uji in the flavor’s name, is a location in Kyoto, that is very well known for Grean Tea farm.
Where to Find Cheap Traditional Souvenir in Kyoto
Listing out specific shops that sells affordable traditional souvenir in Kyoto might do no justice, because there are a lot of shops with variety of traditional items can be found all over Kyoto. But to start with, head to these areas and you can find a lot of shops that sells cheap and affordable souvenir for you to bring back home to:
Shijo Dori (Shijo Street)
Shijo Dori is the commercial street, the largest shopping street in Kyoto, spanning from the west straight to the east, where at the end of the east side of the street, across the Kamogawa River, is the Yasaka Shrine. The main shopping area is the area of intersection between Shijo Dori and Kawaramachi Dori. Stop Shijo station, and Shijo Dori the straight path that connects the west and the east. Walk east of the path and you will reach the intersection with Kawaramachi dori.
Spot information
- Spot name: Shijo Dori (四条通)
- Street address: Shijo Dori, Kyoto, Kyoto
- Access1: 3 minutes on Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station
- Access2: 1 minutes-walk from Shijo Station
Kiyomizudera’s Surrounding
The famous part of Higashiyama district is the route that connects Yasaka Shrine down to Kiyomizudera. Some of the specialty around this area are Kiyomizu’s pottery, handicrafts, wagashi (Japanese sweets), tsukemono (Japanese pickles), and other general Kyoto souvenirs.
Spot information
- Spot name: Gojozaka (五条坂)
- Street address: Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto
- Access1: 12 minutes on bus from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka bus stop
- Access2: 3 minutes-walk from Gojozaka bus stop
Nishiki Market
If you are looking for some traditional Japanese wares like knives, kitchen utensils, and any other kitchen related products, Nishiki Market is the place to go.
Spot information
- Spot name: Nishiki Market (錦市場)
- Street address: Nakagyo, Kyoto, Kyoto 604-8054
- Access1: 3 minutes on Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station
- Access2: 8 minutes-walk from Shijo Station
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