Kyoto is truly full of attractions! …which naturally means there are plenty of souvenir shops as well. In fact, there are so many that you might find yourself wondering where on earth you should buy your souvenirs.
This time, we’d like to introduce six streets and areas that are perfect for buying souvenirs in Kyoto.
【1】Gion Shopping Street
- Access: 1 min walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line) / 5 min walk from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line)
Gion is one of Kyoto’s most famous districts, where you can enjoy the traditional streetscape and maybe even spot a maiko just by strolling around.
Along ‘Shijo Street,’ which connects ‘Yasaka Shrine’ and ‘Kawabata Street,’ you’ll find a row of shops selling Kyoto-style Japanese goods and souvenirs.
On Hanamikoji Street, the main street running through the center of Gion south of Shijo Street, you’ll see a line of historic teahouses and restaurants. In 2001, utility poles were buried underground and stone pavements were restored, transforming the area into a more atmospheric townscape.
- At the intersection of Shijo Street and Hanamikoji Street: ‘Yojiya,’ famous for oil blotting papers
- ‘Gion Marun,’ where you can buy colorful and cute Kyoto candies
- ‘Maisendo,’ famous for Kyoto folding fans
- ‘Otabe Kyoto Baum Gion Kita Shop,’ popular for matcha baumkuchen made from Uji matcha blended with sencha
It’s the perfect place for souvenir hunting, with many popular shops gathered in one spot.
[Related article] Top 5 Classic and Highly Praised Kyoto Confectionery Souvenirs【2】Kiyomizu-dera Area
- Access: From Kyoto Station or Kawaramachi Station, take a bus to Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, then walk about 8 minutes
When it comes to classic Kyoto sightseeing spots, Kiyomizu-dera tops the list.
From the famous main hall stage—origin of the saying “to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu”—to buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, and Otowa Waterfall (nicknamed “Golden Water” and “Life-Prolonging Water” since ancient times), the area is bustling daily with tourists.
If you’re looking for souvenir shops or Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, Kiyomizu-zaka and Sannen-zaka are highly recommended.
- ‘Honke Yatsuhashi Nishio,’ the oldest yatsuhashi shop in Kyoto
- ‘Shichimiya Honpo,’ a specialty store for traditional shichimi chili and ground sansho pepper
- ‘Mori Toki Kan Main Store,’ which also offers pottery classes
- ‘Momijiya,’ with souvenirs sure to please visitors of all ages and nationalities
You can enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto and souvenir shopping at the same time.
【3】Arashiyama Area
- Access: Closest station is JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Famous for its bamboo grove path stretching about 300m from Nonomiya Shrine to Okochi Sanso, Arashiyama is a must-visit area.
The main street, ‘Arashiyama Shopping Street,’ where rickshaws pass by and many tourists enjoy strolling, is ideal for souvenir shopping. It’s lined with shops offering Kyoto souvenirs, restaurants, cafés, and more.
- ‘36 Peaks Kazurano,’ selling everything from sweets to folk crafts and traditional accessories
- ‘Ito Tsune,’ selling fans for dance performances and original-pattern Kyoto fans
- ‘Kyotsukemono Nishiri,’ offering classic pickles like senmaizuke as well as light Kyoto-style pickles
- ‘Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama,’ famous for its matcha langue de chat “Cha no Ka”
- ‘Fukujuen Arashiyama Chaya,’ a long-established Uji tea shop founded in 1790
It’s a great place not only for souvenir shopping, but also for dining, chatting, and enjoying the Kyoto atmosphere.
[Related article] 6 Must-Buy Sweet Souvenirs in Arashiyama【4】Shinkyogoku Street
[Photo by Richard, enjoy my life!]
- Access: From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, Kyoto Line, take Exit 9
Shinkyogoku Street is Japan’s second-oldest shopping arcade after Asakusa in Tokyo.
It’s well-known as a shopping and strolling spot for school trips.
- ‘Kyogoku Iwai,’ offering a full range of Kyoto-style accessories, incense, washi paper, folding fans, and more
- ‘London-ya,’ famous for its bite-sized castella manju “London-yaki”
- ‘Kyomiyage Kikuya,’ offering Uji tea, matcha sweets, and other delicious Kyoto products
- ‘Kyo no Furusato,’ a budget-friendly souvenir shop perfect for students and foreign visitors
It’s not only great for souvenir hunting, but also for learning about Kyoto’s history and culture.
【5】JR Kyoto Isetan
- Access: Directly connected to Kyoto Station (JR, Kintetsu, Subway)
Directly connected to Kyoto Station, ‘Isetan’ is extremely convenient—and offers every type of souvenir imaginable. If you’ve been so caught up in sightseeing that you forgot to shop for souvenirs until your last day, this is the place to go.
- ‘Malebranche,’ famous for its matcha langue de chat “Cha no Ka”
- ‘Tawawa,’ known for its popular fu-rusks “Fufufu”
- ‘Mangetsu,’ offering the must-buy, often sold-out “Ajari Mochi”
- ‘Kyuemon,’ a long-established Uji tea shop
For Japanese sweets, Western sweets, pickles, matcha and sencha, chirimen crafts, shichimi, and other food souvenirs, the basement level of Isetan is your safest bet.
[Related article] 6 Popular Sweets Souvenirs You Can Buy at Kyoto Isetan【6】Kyoto Tower Shopping Arcade
- Access: 2 min walk from JR Kyoto Station Central Exit
Inside and around Kyoto Station, there are many souvenir shops. The shopping arcade on the first floor of Kyoto Tower, a popular sightseeing spot itself, is lined with Kyoto specialty shops.
If you plan to go up Kyoto Tower, it’s the perfect chance to look for souvenirs. By the way, the night view from the tower in the evening is spectacular!
While the facilities of the arcade are a bit old, these days more people head to the station building, so it can be a relatively uncrowded hidden gem if you avoid overlapping with school trip groups.
You can take your time browsing Kyoto sweets, pickles, straps, and more.
[Related article] Top 5 Popular Kyoto Sweets Souvenirs at Kyoto Station【お取り寄せ】『お土産を買い忘れてしまった！』『荷物が多すぎる！』『いつか行きたい！』
そんなときは通販でお取り寄せが便利ですよね。
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Summary
We’ve introduced six recommended streets and areas for buying souvenirs in Kyoto.
They’re all well-known spots, of course. Especially the Gion, Kiyomizu, and Arashiyama areas are must-visits where you can enjoy sightseeing and souvenir shopping at the same time—classics you just can’t skip!
Please use this as a reference when choosing your souvenirs.
