While most people glamorize Kyoto’s Shijo Street and Nishiki Market, amazing shopping streets like Fushimi Otesuji go unnoticed!
Located in the Fushimi district of Kyoto prefecture, Otesuji Shopping Street is a long bustling alley of shops, restaurants, cafés, and more! It’s fairly easy to access from Kyoto station; simply take a train to Fushimi-Momoyama station or Momoyamagoryo-mae station and you’ve practically arrived!
Cool Night Vibes
One of the best times to come to Otesuji Shopping Street is at night when the neon signs are lighted up!
The logo is very clever with three images – a sun, a person, and a bird, which are shaped like the three letters O, T, and E in Otesuji.
At night, the atmosphere is lively and vibrant, as all types of people hang around the area for some shopping, food, and club activities.
Awesome Restaurants
There are endless restaurants along Otesuji Shopping Street, including one of my personal favorites Miyako Noodle Shop.
Whether you’re craving classic Japanese cuisine like udon and soba or American-style fast food like burgers and fries, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for!
Late at night when most restaurants have closed shop, you’ll still find 24/7 rice bowl restaurants such as Nakau still open, as well as several convenience stores.
Cafés Galore!
In addition to restaurants, there are endless cafés along Otesuji Street, such that it feels like every second shop is a café!
From Komeda’s coffee to Holly’s Café and Doutor, you are absolutely spoiled for choice!
Personally, I really like their Mister Donut establishment, featuring a comfortable homey environment and amazing doughnut varieties!
Otesuji also features many bakeries where you can buy fresh bread, cakes, and other delicious baked goods!
Anytime Fitness Gym!
Food and drink are not the only things Otesuji Shopping Street offers, in fact, you can find facilities like Anytime Fitness here too!
As someone who got their Anytime Fitness membership in Australia, being able to use the same access key to train at gyms in Japan is super convenient!
The gym is located on the 3rd floor of the building next to Fushimi-Momoyama station, just above Daiso on the 2nd floor and Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore on the ground floor.
Festive Spirit!
There’s no better place to get into seasonal festivities than Fushimi’s Otesuji Shopping Street!
Whether it’s the Christmas season or the more Japanese nationalistic events like Obon, you’ll find seasonal decorations commemorating the time of year.
Furthermore, it’s not uncommon to see parades marching up and down Otesuji Shopping Street at certain times of the year, often in celebration of a significant holiday, event, or cultural custom exclusive to Japan.
An All-Round Good Time!
Overall, Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Street is worth visiting no matter what your age, background, or interests are. There is something for everybody at this amazing and vibrant shopping street. It may just be the cherry on top for your time in Kyoto!
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!