Kyoto Shopping and Districts

(Kyoto, Kansai, Central Honshu, Japan)

The very centre of Kyoto's shopping scene can be found where both the Kawaramachi-dori and the Shijo-dori meet. These large blocks are bursting with shopping opportunities and local stores, selling a mixture of modern and more traditional local Japanese goods.

The most prominent department stores in the whole of Kyoto are clustered in this lively district and include the Daimaru, the Fujii Daimaru, the Hankyu and also the Takashimaya department stores, amongst others.

If you fancy a little antiques shopping during your stay in Kyoto, then the Shinmonzen-dori street in the Gion district is for you. Lined with an excellent group of shops, where you can easily wile away many an hour, you will find that most of the items here are pricey to say the least.

Therefore, window shopping is favoured by most visitors to this part of Kyoto. Further souvenirs lie along the pedestrianised streets of Sannen-zaka and also Ninnen-zaka, on the eastern side of Kyoto, and also to the north of the city hall, around Marutamachi-dori, Oike-dori and Teramachi-dori.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

The shopping hours in Kyoto are fairly easy to predict and most department stores and supermarkets are open between 10:00 to 18:00, or thereabouts.

Smaller shops open between the hours of 09:00 to 17:00, with many choosing to remain closed on Sundays.

Where to Shop

The following department stores are amongst Kyoto's best offerings and will be sure to fill your day and empty your pockets.

Daimaru - 79 Shijo-Takakura, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8511, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 211 8111

Fujii Daimaru - Shijo-Teramachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8031, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 255 3926

Hankyu - 68 Shinmachicho, Shijo-Kawaramachi higashi iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8510, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 223 2288

Izumiya - 6-1 Kitano, Shimohakubaicho, Kyoto, 603-8326, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 465 8700

Kintetsu - 702 Shiokojicho Karasuma, Shichijojo sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, 600-8650, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 361 1111

Takashimaya - Shijo-Kawaramachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8520, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 075 221 8811