Kyoto: Night Food Tour with Nishiki Market & Pontocho Drinks

Summary

Kyoto food tour tasting Nishiki market bites and Pontocho drinks

You’ll taste your way through Kyoto’s night markets and lantern-lit alleys on this small-group food tour—sampling local specialties at Nishiki Market, sipping sake or beer in cozy izakayas near Pontocho, and learning stories from your guide as you go. Expect enough tastings for dinner and drinks included. Let Kyoto surprise you after dark.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel nervous about eating tofu, but there I was, standing in Nishiki Market, watching steam curl up from a tiny bowl our guide handed me. The market was still humming even at night—clattering shutters, the smell of grilled fish mixing with something sweet I couldn’t place. We stopped at these family-run stalls where the owners seemed to know our guide by name (he joked about his “usual” order). I tried pickled yuba for the first time—chewy, salty, kind of addictive—and then something else I can’t pronounce. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Japanese—probably butchered it.

The Kyoto food tour kept moving through narrow streets that glowed under paper lanterns. We ducked into a tiny izakaya where the walls were covered in old concert posters and everyone talked quietly over their sake. Our guide poured us something cloudy and cold—I thought it’d be stronger, but it was smooth. The obanzai dishes just kept coming: simmered vegetables, some crispy chicken thing, miso eggplant that tasted smoky and sweet at once. There was this moment when someone at another table started singing softly; nobody seemed surprised.

Pontocho Alley felt like a movie set—so narrow you almost brush shoulders with strangers, but nobody’s in a hurry. Our guide pointed out a doorway and told us about geisha history here; I caught a glimpse of someone in a kimono slipping past. It rained for five minutes—enough to make the stones shine and cool things down. By the end I was full (definitely dinner-sized portions), maybe a little tipsy, and honestly just happy we’d let someone else choose what we ate for once. Still think about that tofu sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kyoto food tasting and cultural walk

• Visit Nishiki Market food stalls
• Try Kyoto style dishes at restaurants
• Walk through Pontocho District

Top questions

How many food tastings are included on this Kyoto food tour?

The tour includes 7 or more Kyoto-style Japanese food tastings—enough for a full dinner meal.

Are drinks included on the Kyoto foodie night tour?

Yes, three drinks are included (beer, sake, whiskey or soft drinks). You can choose your preference.

Does this tour visit Nishiki Market?

Yes, the tour includes stops at family-owned shops inside Nishiki Market for tastings.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at the designated starting point.

Can vegetarians join this Kyoto night food tour?

Vegetarian options are limited; please contact the operator at least one week before if you have restrictions.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams/strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

What areas of Kyoto does this food tour cover?

The tour covers Nishiki Market, Kiyamachi area restaurants/izakayas, and Pontocho Alley.

What’s included

Your evening includes all Kyoto-style dinner tastings (at least seven), three drinks of your choice (beer, sake, whiskey or soft drinks), stops at family-owned restaurants in Nishiki Market and nearby izakayas around Kiyamachi and Pontocho—all led by a local guide who shares stories along the way.