For most tourists that visit Japan, the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo is high on their list of places to go and experience. Tsukiji is indeed excellent but it is getting harder and harder experience as parts are now closed to the public.
The ‘undiscovered’ Kyoto Central Wholesale Food Market is a great alternative to Tsukiji. It is about 1/5th the size of Tsukiji, but it does offer the same sights to see, just on a more intimate and friendly scale. The market here in Kyoto also has an area devoted mainly to Kyo-yasai, or Kyoto traditional vegetables. Vendors at the Kyoto market are noticeably more friendly than many of the people I have tried to talk to at Tsukiji.
The Kyoto Central Wholesale Food Market is open to anyone that wants to visit and is located in the center of town, just a few minutes walk south from Tambaguchi Station on the JR Sagano line.
I didn’t get to the market early enough to see the maguro tuna auction, it starts at 5 am, but I will try to get back and get some photos and details about that and update this article in the near future.
If you are going and intend to see the tuna auction you will probably have to go by taxi to get to the market before 5 am. Ask your hotel to book a cab for you the day before. I arrived about 6 am and took these photos.
The one downside to the Kyoto market is that it doesn’t have the numerous sushi restaurants in the neighborhood that Tsukiji has. Kyoto sushi (KyotoFoodie article) is different from Tokyo sushi though. If you like sushi, be sure to try Kyoto sushi while you are in town.
Location
The Kyoto Wholesale Food Market is located just south of the intersection of Gojo-dori and Senbon-dori streets. If you are going by taxi, you want to tell the driver to take you to ‘Kyoto Chuo Oroshi Ichiba’ (京都中央卸市場). If you are coming from the station, simply walk south on Senbon-dori Street. There is no central entrance to the market.
Map
View OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map in a larger map
Interestingly, it appears that the Mizuna you have pictured came from Shiga! (note the picture of Lake Biwa on the box, it says “Omi no Yasai” on the upper left)
A lot of the Mizuna sold in Kyoto comes from Shiga these days, despite its reputation as a Kyo-yasai.
Hello adania, Yes, that is correct. I did notice that and thought about it. I figured that whether grown in Shiga or Kyoto, mizuna is still a traditional Kyo-yasai. For our readers that are not familiar with the geography of Japan, Shiga is just over the mountain from Kyoto – very close. Much of Shiga is still rural, but Shiga can claim to being the capital of Japan even before Kyoto. Shiga’s culture is also very interesting and developed.
Is this market open every day? For how long? Would love to go.
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Unfortunately, the public no longer has access to the Kyoto fish market if anyone is reading this with the hopes of visiting.
The Real Person!
Author sandra acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
just went to the kyoto fish market for 5 am tuna and etc auction. viewing area upstairs is large and fantastic.