2 Best Kyoto Markets Today for 2024/25 You Must Not Miss

Visiting Kyoto but not sure which of the best Kyoto markets to go to? Kyoto is famous for its flea markets and there are so many dotted around the city, each with its own tradition and niche, open only on certain days of the month. Narrowing down to just a couple to see for an authentic experience during a limited time in Kyoto can be overwhelming at times.

Like most travellers, if you are visiting Kyoto for the first time and for just a few days you may just want to join a tour to see the top Kyoto markets, which is a good idea to go for.

Conversely, you may want an authentic experience of Kyoto’s flea markets independently. This could be an opportunity where you can browse, watch the banter of the barter, the lively spirit and the hues of the market place at your own pace for an enriched experience.

For many, they combine the knowledge of the flea markets gained from research, and a tour for a meaningful experience of Kyoto markets. If you are contemplating any or all of these scenarios, then this guide is for you.

In this article, I share my experienced tips and will introduce to you two of my favourite Kyoto markets which I found to provide a genuinely immersive experience. Kobo-san and Tenjin-san markets make for great stops if you’re looking for an experience that reflects the local culture.

I visited many flea markets during my stay in Kyoto and found these two to be bargain hotspots for handmade ceramics and trinkets, old, very old books and maps along with really nice and pretty silk kimono as well as yukata. A visit to either of these two flea markets in Kyoto will surely reward you with a bargain purchase. Almost everything is up at a sale price and you really wouldn’t want to leave without buying something.

Find out how to get here, best times of the day to visit and when to grab a good bargain.

The guide to Kyoto Markets was first published by Timeless Travel Steps in February, 2020, and is regularly updated. Last updated in April, 2024, by Georgina.

About Kyoto and Kyoto Markets

Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan is famous for its plethora of temples, shrines, imperial palaces, magnificent gardens, quaint ryokans, ochaya (teahouses) and so much more. The city oozes history at every turn. Its streets whisper tales of centuries past, weaving a spellbinding narrative for every visitor.

Located about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of the city of Osaka and about the same distance from Nara, another ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto is also within easy distance of Kobe, and Himeji, popular tourist destinations. If you plan to travel to these cities, you will find that a Japan Rail Pass will save you a considerable amount of money.

Kyoto embodies the real essence of Japanese heritage. From the top temples, shrines and zen parks to an extensive range of stalls and stores that represent contemporary opulence and elegance which cater to materialistic desires. Entwined in the midst of traditional heritage and modern city life are the longstanding traditional flea markets in Kyoto.

There are numerous Japanese markets in Kyoto. You’ll find farmers’ markets dotted around Kyoto. Several Kyoto markets specialise in clothes and food, while some offer wholesale options.

You’ll find Kyoto markets in temples and famous streets, during the day, and at night. These flea markets in Kyoto, niched to a type of trade and area are well regulated and safe to go to.

Adhering to long-standing traditions amongst the traders, the Kyoto markets are regulated by local government and associations. These Kyoto flea markets today are regulated to take place on specific day, date and time, each week and each month.

Kyoto markets are a true haven for travellers to experience scrumptious street food, sample a selection of fresh and dried pickles, buy ornate souvenirs along with adorable clothes such as kimono or yukata with pretty footwear, inexpensively.

A visit to Kyoto Japanese market offers an immersive experience of Japan’s culture.

Here are my recommendations for experiencing the two top flea markets in Kyoto: Kobo-san at Toji Temple and Tenjin-san at Kitano Tenmangu shrine.

Kobo-San Flea Market at Toji Temple, Kyoto

One of the popular Kyoto markets today which I recommend is the Kobo-san flea market. Kobo-san market is held within the grounds of one of Kyoto’s most historic temples, the Toji Temple.

The Kobo-san market at Toji Temple is a rewarding cultural experience and is one of the most intense and unique Japanese shopping events.

Toji Temple, translated to East Temple is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a five-storey pagoda which was founded in 796 AD. Due to a lightning strike, the pagoda was rebuilt in the Edo period by Tokugawa Iemitsu. The Toji Pagoda stands at 57 metres high (187 ft).

The market is called “Kobo-san” to honour the Buddhist priest, Kukai, who brought Shingon Buddhism to Japan. He founded the temple in 796 AD. After his death on 21^st March 835 AD, he was honoured with “Kobo-Daishi” title.

So, on the 21st of each month, the popular Kobo-san flea market takes place from dawn to dusk, in honour of Kobo-Daishi.

A bustling Kobo-san Kyoto market from dawn to dusk

On this 21st, one-day each month, the To-ji Temple itself becomes a secondary stage. The grounds of the Temple, turns into an enormous and liveliest market area, bustling with tourists and locals in search of antiques and good bargains.

There is an incredible variety here and you can find pretty much anything that you might be looking for. The Kobo-san is particularly great for silk kimono, yukata, and antiques. The market opens at sunrise until sunset. The best bargains are to be had as the sun begins to set, you will note the stalls start to pack-up and prices fall to a dramatically low!

Kimono and Yukata are a bargain at Kobo-san flea market in Kyoto

Kobo-san flea market in Kyoto at Toji Temple is home to over 1000 stalls where you can find beautiful vintage and cultural products such as second-hand kimonos, shoes, hats, hand-fans, ceramics, chopsticks, books and prints.

I bought a few kimonos for 500 Yen each. These are top quality fabric and were well worth the money. I am a proud owner of the beautiful kimonos pictured below which are hanging in my wardrobe at the moment. There were some for even 300 Yen but I preferred these.

PRO TIP 1: The Kobo-san Kyoto Market is one of the very few markets where you can negotiate and bargain over the products.

PRO TIP 2: There are so many stalls and you just have to keep looking till you find the right stall. If you see something that you really, really like at a good price, and you are willing to pay, grab it! It won’t be there if you return in an hour!

PRO TIP 3: On the other hand, if you wait till after 2 or 3 pm, you will find some really good bargains. The crowd begins to dwindle after lunch and around this time vendors begin to pack-up for the day. So, the BEST TIME to pick up a BARGAIN is FIRST THING IN THE MORNING or FROM 2:00 PM.

Street Food at Kobo-san Kyoto Market

Aside from the bargain-hunting for traditional garments and fantastic souvenirs, the Kobo-san flea market in Kyoto is a great opportunity to experience the variety of Japanese street food. From yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), or takoyaki to Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a popular Japanese snack. It is ball-shaped, made of wheat flour batter and cooked in a special moulded pan.

These dough balls are filled with pieces of octopus, pickled ginger and onions but you can hardly taste the ginger or the onions. It is topped with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and Japanese mayonnaise, sprinkled with aonori or green laver (an edible green seaweed). Takoyaki is sometimes topped with shavings of dried bonito.

I must admit that takoyaki is not one of my favourite of Japanese food. People differ in taste, therefore I suggest that you try it at least once!

Takoyaki is a popular Japanese snack. It is ball-shaped, made of wheat flour batter and cooked in a special moulded pan.

Best Tips for Kobo-san Flea Market in Kyoto from My Personal Experience

Give yourself plenty of time to explore.

If exploring independently, give yourself plenty of time to explore. You can easily get lost here, amongst the huge crowd. The enormous market area is like a maze and on occasions navigating around the stalls and re-tracing your steps may be a little challenging. So, give yourself plenty of time to get lost here and experience the authentic market atmosphere.

Mornings are best for specific items

Mornings are best if you want choices and are looking for specific items such as antiques, traditional ceramics or silk kimonos.

Grab a Bargain at Closing

Vendors usually begin to end their day at about 4:00 P.M. but the market stays open for longer in the summer months.

PRO TIP: If you are looking for a bargain, after 3 pm would be best as the vendors reduce their prices to at least half so they can get rid of their stock.

Georgina: I visited the market at about 10:00 and the crowd was already beginning to build up but it was still pleasant. However, by midday, it was really crowded and queues were building up around the food stalls.

How to Get to Kobo-san Flea Market in Kyoto: 3 Ways to Get to Toji Temple

Kobo-san Kyoto market is within the grounds of Toji Temple. Toji Temple is situated in Minami-ku. There are three ways to get to Toji temple.

From Kyoto Station

When you reach Kyoto Station, take the southwest exit towards Omiya and Kujo Street intersection This route takes 15 minutes. Just know that this route is not really that interesting. There is not much to see except busy streets amidst heavy traffic, and 15-minutes may seem quite a long walk.

If you don’t fancy the walk, the nearest station, which I used, is the Toji Station.

From Toji Station

Toji Station is on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line. It takes about 5-minutes to reach Toji Temple/Kobo-san Market. You can see the pagoda from the street outside the Toji Station.

Check this official site to Kyoto Station for trains, times and prices.

By Bus

Buses #202 and #205 pass through Toji Temple. Find out more about taking a bus in Kyoto and whether a flat fare or a day pass is suitable for your needs.

My thoughts about Kobo-san Flea Market at Toji Temple in Kyoto

Though the market can be intense, the temples provide a serene haven to escape to if you need a breather. Despite the crowd, Kobo-san Market is the place for antiques, trinkets and good value kimonos. There are other selections of traditional garments and hand woven pieces of material which you can purchase too. Even if you do not buy anything, the Kobo-san market at Toji temple is a great event to experience. In addition, there is a great selection of street food for you to taste.

For one day, on every 21st of each month, Kobo-san market in Kyoto comes together to represent the sereneness of the temple, the affluence of Japanese artistic traditions along with a bustling avariciousness.

If you wish to experience an authentic Japanese traditional market, I would recommend that you visit the Kobo-san flea market in Kyoto.

My second of  the two Kyoto Markets not to miss is the Tenjin-san Market at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

Tenjin-San Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto

Affectionately known as Tenjin-san market by the locals, the monthly market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in northwestern Kyoto is popular for its amazing bargains, fabric, vintage items and rare finds.

Visiting the market makes a great excuse to visit the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine also, a destination that is popular among the locals as well as tourists.

The Tenjin-san market at the Kitano Tenmangu-shrine is one of the largest in Kyoto, held on the 25th of each month. There are well over 1000 stalls, in and around the shrine. Each street overflows with stalls and exploring the market stalls is an experience in itself.

A wealth of rare ornaments, silk kimonos and yukatas are all up for a bargain. You shall also find vintage items such as pottery, and antiques along with fine woodworking. Various types of tea and ceramic tea-sets are also available.

The Tenjin-san market at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in northwestern Kyoto is definitely one that you should visit for an authentic cultural experience of a Japanese flea market.

About Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto

The Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was built in 947 AD in honour of Sugawara no Michizane, who was unfairly exiled by the political rivals of his time. He was a scholar and a politician between 794 AD to 1185 AD which represents the middle Heian period.

Sugawara no Michizane

Sugawara no Michizane was incredibly talented. He read poems at the age of 5 and wrote Chinese poems at the age of 11. Shrines were built to appease him, and he became known as the “god of academics.” He led the popular “Tenjin faith” throughout Japan. The Kitano Tenmangu is the main shrine and the origin of the faith. There are 12,000 shrines that are dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane.

Rituals and Events

Rituals and events are held at various times throughout the year to commemorate the life of Sugawara. The Tenjin-san flea market is held on the 25th of each month to commemorate the anniversary of Sugawara’s passing.

The Kitano Tenmangu shrine is popular amongst students during exam time and during school trips. They come here to pray for wisdom and pray for help to get through their exams.

Tenjin-San Flea Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto

What makes Tenjin-san flea market at Kitano Tenmangu shrine unique and will be well-worth your visit is the mixture of stalls within the traditional shrine setting. The grounds are vast! There are many buildings such as the main shrine which is situated behind the worship hall (this is where the deity is enshrined). The worship hall is connected by the Ishi-no-Ma-Hall which one can visit.

In addition, there are the Sanko-mon Gate and the Ro-mon Gate, both rich in architecture and dating back centuries which are worth exploring.

The area around the shrine makes for a great escape when you get tired of the bustling crowd. So, when you need some space and quiet, you can just wander off to the calmness of the shrine and the gardens, or to enjoy your meal.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is home to beautiful buildings that has architecture going back centuries to ancient Japan. It is decorated with unique hanging lanterns of various colours and designs that just grab your attention every now and again as you walk through the grounds.

Street Food at Tenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Kyoto

No flea market is complete without street food. Tenjin-san is no exception. There is a huge selection of street food stalls for every taste-bud!

The aroma of the yakisoba just draws you…which is mouth-wateringly delicious, cooked right in front of you.

Also on offer are freshly grilled corn-on-cob, fried yuba, yakitori, fried chicken along with takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

The market is open from the break of dawn till late, 9 pm, but has early closing hours in the winter.

How to Get to Tenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Kyoto

The Tenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu shrine can be accessed directly by Kyoto City Bus numbers 50 and 101 from Kyoto Station. It is about 30 minutes ride and costs 230 Yen.

There is a quicker route: take the Karasuma Subway Line to Imadegawa Station and then take the bus number 102 or 203.

In either case, get off at the Kitano Tenmangumae bus-stop.

My thoughts on Tenjin-san Market and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Tenjin-san Market is a popular market visited by both tourists and locals alike. It is especially popular with students as it is a lively place to hang-out when they come to the Kitano Tenmangu shrine to pray for wisdom and academic success in observing the Tenjin faith.

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited here. The architectural design was exceptional and the many lanterns just caught my attention. In addition, I watched a show performed by the students of the Shinto faith who sang and danced depicting an ancient story. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed.

I enjoyed watching the gracefulness of the female actresses, the beating of the drums that signified the dramatic turns in the story and the upbeat attention grabbing dancing. It was free to watch, so just make your way to the podium when visiting the market.

Tenjin-san market is a market with a difference. It is a place where you will not only experience what a traditional market in Kyoto is and what the market offers but also the inspiring architectural designs, the sereneness of the gardens along with a closer look at Shinto practices.

Recommended read: The 5 Etiquette you need to know before Visiting a Shinto Shrine

as a deliberate escapist and a mindful wanderer…

My sincere wish is that this guide has been valuable in your search for the best Kyoto markets to visit for an authentic and rich experience of Japanese culture.

Before you go, take a look at the Useful tips for Kyoto and some of the articles about Japan appended below. These may be helpful to you if you are planning a visit to other destinations in Japan.

Have an awesome time exploring and discovering the ancient land of Japan.

Happy and Safe Travels, Wherever Travel Takes You, xx

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