Teramachi Street
Teramachi Street, Kyoto, JPN
A shopaholic’s paradise, Teramachi Street is a covered shopping arcade in the heart of downtown Kyoto. The name translates to “Temple Town” in English due to the street’s 16th-century origins when the area was abundant with temples and shrines. Today, shoppers can find clothing stores, tea shops, art galleries, bookstores, and plenty of great souvenirs.
There are enough shops and restaurants to easily spend a full afternoon on Teramachi Street. Travelers who like to take their time browsing may prefer to come here independently or on a private walking tour. Alternatively, there are numerous group walking tours of Kyoto’s highlights that make a pit stop at Teramachi Street in combination with foodie hotspot Nishiki Market.
The area can get very busy and the shops can be quite small, so it may be a challenge for wheelchair users to get around.
Most sellers don’t speak fluent English, but they are friendly and happy to assist foreign visitors.
To find international fashion stores, such as Zara and Skechers, check out Shinkyogoku Street, which runs parallel to Teramachi Street.
The easiest way to get to Teramachi Street is to catch the subway train to Shijō Station. From there, it’s an easy 5-minute walk to Kyoto’s shopping district. It’s also possible to get bus routes 4, 17, or 205 to Kyoto Shiyakusho Mae bus station, which is around an 8-minute walk away.
Teramachi Street is popular with tourists and locals, so it can get quite crowded. For a quieter shopping experience, head there mid-morning when the shops open. As the shopping arcades are covered, coming to Teramachi Street makes a great rainy-day activity in Kyoto.
Don’t visit Teramachi Street without taking a stroll over to the neighboring Nishiki Market. Nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” it is one of the oldest and most famous food markets in Japan. Swing by to find over 100 stalls, shops, and eateries serving a wide variety of local specialties, including pickles, ramen, seafood, green tea, ice cream, and spices.
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