Kyoto is a cultural hotspot for visitors in Japan. With amazing sights and delicious delicacies, here are my top 5 food stores in Ninenzaka!
1. Cinnamon Apple
By far the best delicacy I’ve had at Kyoto’s Ninenzaka is the sliced cinnamon apple pieces available for just 790 yen (5.30 USD) a cup. These fresh crunchy apples are glazed in a delicious caramel-like syrup and topped with a generous helping of sweet cinnamon sugar for a taste you’ll never forget!
2. Premium Matcha Ice Cream
Of course, it’s not a complete trip to Kyoto without trying some traditional matcha green tea ice cream! Here at Ninenzaka, you can grab yourself a cone for just 700 yen (4.70 USD) and enjoy the bitter-sweet taste of high-quality fine matcha sprinkled over a rich and creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream.
3. Sweet Potato Chips
As we make our way into the savory delicacies offered at Ninenzaka’s food stores, we come across this sweet but salty hybrid treat in the form of sweet potato chips! This generous helping of delicious roasted sweet potato cuts is marinated in a sweet glaze with a pinch of salt for an amazing flavor dynamic, available for just 800 yen (5.40 USD).
4. Pickled Cucumber
An absolute Kyoto classic that you may have seen on Instagram or TikTok, these large pickled cucumbers known as Shibazuke are a global favorite (not just for content creators!). Priced at just 300 yen (2 USD) a piece, this unique Japanese vegetable is essentially a cross between a cucumber and a pickle, marinated in plum vinegar for a salty and slightly sour taste.
5. Takoyaki
Takoyaki is traditionally a delicacy of Osaka, but the reason I recommend trying the one from Ninenzaka’s stores is that they are easier to eat, in my humble opinion. For less than 500 yen (3.30 USD), you get two skewers of these succulent grilled octopus dumplings that (unlike Osaka’s) are not too messy and won’t burn the inside of your mouth (again, in my humble opinion).
Well, that about wraps up my list of the top 5 finger food stores in Ninenzaka! Be sure to bring a handful of cash with you as many of these stores (especially the authentic ones) don’t accept credit cards.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!