Kyoto
in Japan

Whether you are looking for the perfect souvenir for a loved one back home, or want something to remember your trip by, stop at Artisugu Nishiki Market where you can buy extremely high quality knives. The excellent craftsmanship is evident in each knife. 

This trendy concept store is housed in a 13th-century Bukkoji temple with its own Japanese café next door. This is a great place to score some unique designer home accessories and products from local small-batch food producers, after a light lunch and a cup of Japanese, freshly brewed tea. The Torasaru cake is an absolute must: citrusy, velvety, and every so tasty

This lovely airy café is just a short stroll from Kakaido's original tea caddy workshop which was founded in 1875. Order their signature cheese cake which comes in a shape of a tea caddy. 

This tiny but lovely atelier by Ko Kado is well worth a visit. With beautiful and intricate stationery using original printing blocks the decoration paper is simply stunning. A master of his crafts, call into this studio simply to admire and marvel at his works. 

Kanetaka Hamono is a small specialist knife shop offering precision-forged blades for both professional and home use. The selection ranges across materials and price points, with stainless steel blades easier to maintain, and carbon steel offering a sharper cut but requiring more upkeep due to rust. Do your research before heading in as the staff speak limited English. Engraving is available for a personal touch, but for only up to three letters. The shop also sells nail clippers of the same high quality that come with a lifetime guarantee.

MOMOTARO JEANS represents the precision and pride of Japanese denim production, and Kyoto is the perfect place to pick up a pair. The space is pared-back and product-focused, allowing the craftsmanship to shine, with the changing rooms particularly aesthetically pleasing. The team are knowledgeable and happy to guide you through different fits, fabric weights and how they’ll age. On-site hemming is available on the day and can be done in as little as 30 minutes. These are investment pieces, so it’s worth taking time to find the right pair

Just a few doors down from Keibunsha and close to Ichijoji’s Eizan railway line which takes you up the mountain to Kurama, this is a beautifully curated and very photogenic space selling a range of mainly French and Japanese antiques and furniture. Each item seems to tell a story and it’s a wonderful place to pick up a piece of aesthetically pleasing Japanese or European history.  

This is a terrific and diverse five block traditional food market known as Kyoto's Kitchen, with most of the items being locally sourced and prepared in Kyoto. Start at the intersection of Nishikikoji Street and Takakura Street, before slowly working your way down the blocks until you end up at the Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine.

This sophisticated traditional Japanese dress store has the most beautiful and intricate kimonos housed in a former tofu shop, of all things! 

Be careful eating sashimi at sell fish because you will never want it from anywhere else again. This fish shop has some of the freshest of the sea.

Sleek home goods store with a wildly cool interior and a great variety of Japanese pottery. Check out the cafe on the first floor, it is a must for design lovers. 

Stardust is truly a one of a kind in Kyoto. Not only is it a wonderful vegan and vegetarian café, but they also serve delicious tea and coffee, and have stunning womenswear to browse. Every detail here is intentional and the ambiance is calming like no other. 

Not only a cool gallery space, but also a shop with cool clothes, and an upstairs tearoom. Once you step inside you will feel like you are in a museum, roam around and discover.