Japan: Nishiki Market

Every time I go to Japan I try to make it to Kyoto.  I see the same things time after time - Kiyomizudera, Gion, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama...beautiful sites not to be missed but it's important [for me] to remember that there's more to Kyoto than just the historical sites.  As I've mentioned before, my family [and our traveling friends] are a bunch of Kuishinbo's and we love food.  Nishiki Market was just the place for us...

Unfortunately, due to the heat of the day [hot, humid, AND sunny] on top of [self diagnosed] dehydration, I nearly passed out so my energy level took a nose dive.  I perked up a little as I saw all these shop but I was not in my "A" game.

I decided that it was time to get some food in my stomach...

Crispy fried chicken balls.  It was a really welcome treat.  I had to laugh when I saw a dog being pushed in a doggie stroller get one, too. 

I  had to have this. Mostly because it looks so freaky [it was quite tasty].

Kyotozuke is fantastic!  Perfectly salted and light on the palate...I was tempted by the rows and rows of Tsukemono.  If I had a bowl of rice, I would've been in heaven.

I wanted to pick this plate up and run off with it.

More kyotozuke...barrel after barrel...my sister in law found a cucumber stick that she just raved over.  

What can be better than a huge fish, squid, and eels on a huge stick?? Yeah, I decided to forego these tasty treats, though. I just wasn't feeling it.

Ok, Aritsugu.  Knife store extraordinaire.  This place perked me up a lot.  My laser beam vision quickly sorted through knives that I wanted. My mom, dream crusher and voice of reason, killed the shopping spree. Luckily.  I did pick up a few other odds and ends because really...how often would I really use a soba knife?

The neat thing about this Tea Shop was that the tea leaves were roasted on site.   I had a great time sniffing the variety of tea leaves that were filling the canisters.  

Plan for 2 - 3 hours just to roam down this street, pick up little tasty nibbles, and gifts to bring to friends and family back home

How to get here:
From JR Shinkansen Kyoto, go out to Kyoto Ekimae the front of the station.  Slightly to the right you will see a bus port area.  Take Bus Number 101 to Shijo Karasuma stop, Nishiki Market is just past [and one street in back of] the Daimaru Department store.  Enjoy!!

BusNavi, the Kyoto City bus, has two options, either pay 200 Yen per ride or 500 Yen for All Day adults pass.  To purchase the All Day Adult pass, be sure to stop in the Information Office at the JR Station in Kyoto.  You can pick up city maps and other information there as well.


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