Local Food & Drink Tastings • 3 hours 5.0 (6)

Traditional Japanese confectionary tasting in Nishiki Market

Walk through the 400-year-old Nishiki Market and the bustling Sanjo-dori, sampling traditional Japanese confectionery

Visit on the 15th, 21st and 25th of the month to catch one of the flea markets and grab amazing bargain kimono, ceramics, handicrafts etc.

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Explore a super-sweet area of Kyoto hand-picked by your host, and taste a selection of Japan’s most well-known confections
  • Walk through 400-year-old Nishiki Market and sample a variety of popular local snacks
  • Taste wagashi at a traditional teahouse ceremony set in a tranquil garden
  • See some of Kyoto’s most famous locations in just a few hours – from the Sanjo-dori shopping hub to historical Higashiyama
  • Have a helpful host on hand to give you tips on where else to indulge your sweet tooth in Kyoto

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a Host
Traditional sweets tasting at Nishiki market
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)

What’s not included

Food and drinks other than the tastings listed above
Tea house drinks and sweets (prices vary between teahouses)
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

The host will be awaiting for you at Matsumoto Kiyoshi Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

Satisfy your sweet tooth on a sugar rush through Japan’s history, where each region (and season) has a different style of intricately designed wagashi – bite-sized, pastel-colored confections usually served at teahouses along with Uji matcha, Kyoto’s quality green tea.

Chew through sticky, satisfying mochi, a traditional pounded rice cake often filled with sweet red bean paste. At Nishiki Market, crunch into a variety of sugar-coated adzuki beans, amanattō, or snack on senbei – fresh, crispy rice crackers that can be savory or sweet.

Matcha fans will be spoilt for choice: ice cream, cake, cookies, you name it, Kyoto’s got it. Over a glass of cold plum juice, ask your host for the perfect place to grab takeaway treats to tuck into later. 

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories
Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Charmed in Gion

Charmed in Gion

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

A Table Full of Stories

A Table Full of Stories

New Friends in Old Streets

New Friends in Old Streets

Tempura & Togetherness

Tempura & Togetherness

The Fox Shrine Crew

The Fox Shrine Crew

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Soft Steps & Serene Views

Soft Steps & Serene Views

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

Wandering through a forest of giants

Wandering through a forest of giants

A day filled with culture and laughter

A day filled with culture and laughter

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

 Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Walking through these thousand torii gates

Walking through these thousand torii gates

A Ryokan-Style Feast

A Ryokan-Style Feast

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Matcha Dreams Come True

Matcha Dreams Come True

Cocktails with a view

Cocktails with a view

A walk through time

A walk through time

Rural charm and cultural calm

Rural charm and cultural calm

A peaceful pause with Kannon

A peaceful pause with Kannon

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What travelers think of this experience

Maria Sep 2023

We had such a great time with Aiko! She was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much about local/Japanese culture with us. We walked through Nishiki market where we ate a bunch of dessert and non-dessert foods - and even stopped for some craft beer too. We ended the tour in historic Gion, which was a great way to cap off the tour!

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Chanda Aug 2023

Michael is the best!!! He was fun, interesting and very personable. Super great time!!!

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Ashli Apr 2023

MIKI we will miss you! We had the best afternoon running around with MIiki — she arranged hard-to-get reservations at some Instagram-worthy food stops and booked us the most unreal Wagyu restaurant for dinner. They don’t have a Michelin star, but they should. We also did a Sake Brewery tour and tasting. Such a great day. We did not know that our tour price included some sampling costs so she covered our pancake and transport fares because we had already sort of paid for it upfront. We used public transport and walking, things are far apart in Kyoto so if you don’t walk quickly I’d recommended having your guide arrange more door-to-door transport. It’s an absolute yes to all three stops we had that day — thank you Miki!

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Shauny Apr 2023

This tour was booked through Viator but the actual company is City Unscripted. Guendalina was our guide and she was truly an excellent guide around Kyoto. A truly authentic experience with such a wonderful person! Would highly recommend to anyone. Also, it was a rainy day which we were bummed about and she still made it absolutely worth our time.

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Daniel Apr 2025

Milos was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and even tailored the tour as we proceeded. Excellent tour, would highly recommend :)

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Nicole Apr 2025

Michael was a friendly and very knowledgeable guide. We thoroughly enjoyed the three hours wondering around the area and learning about the history as well as current happenings in this part of Kyoto. A few drinks together at the end was a memorable touch. Thanks Michael

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