🏮 A complete guide to Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street

—— The editor takes you to Kyoto's oldest shopping street and experience a century of prosperity and common people's life

📍Where is Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street?

Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street (Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street) is located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. It runs parallel to Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and is adjacent to Nishiki Market and Shijo Kawaramachi . It is one of Kyoto's oldest and most representative shopping streets.

The entire shopping street stretches approximately 500 meters , stretching from Sanjo-dori in the north to Shijo-dori in the south. Since ancient times, the area has been home to numerous temples and bookstores, earning it the name "Teramachi." Today, it has become a comprehensive shopping street that blends traditional culture with modern shopping and dining experiences .

My first time visiting Teramachi-Kyogoku felt like a microcosm of everyday life in the ancient capital: unlike the bustling, youthful atmosphere of Shinkyogoku, it possessed a richer sense of history and culture. As I wandered, I stumbled across old bookstores and temples, feeling like I was combining shopping with a cultural stroll.

🌟 The unique atmosphere of Teramachi Kyogoku

🏮 The intersection of ancient and modern

• The architecture and street atmosphere here retain a strong sense of Kyoto tradition.
• Second-hand bookstores and antique shops coexist with modern drugstores and beauty stores.
• From time to time, you can see the entrances of temples or shrines on the streets, which is a unique sight.

🛍️ A shopping street suitable for a leisurely stroll

• There are many types of shops: clothing, shoe stores, daily necessities, and handmade groceries.
• Compared to Shinkyogoku, Teramachikyogoku is relatively quiet and more suitable for a leisurely stroll.
• Local residents and tourists mingle, creating a friendly and natural atmosphere.

The editor feels that Teramachi Kyogoku is like the "stage of ordinary people's life in Kyoto", without too much exaggeration, but full of warmth.

🍣 Must-try food and snacks

🍡 Traditional flavor

• An established Japanese confectionery shop : They sell Dorayaki, Daifuku, and Monaka, perfect as souvenirs.
• Matcha desserts : Matcha ice cream and matcha cake are must-try in Kyoto.
• Soy milk desserts : soy milk pudding, soy milk ice cream, healthy and refreshing.

🍜 Restaurants and cafes

• Ramen restaurants : There are many popular ramen restaurants in the Teramachi area.
• Cafe : Retro tea shops and modern coffee shops coexist, suitable for rest.
• Izakayas and small restaurants : Affordable prices and a great way to experience local flavors.

My favorite thing is to find a long-established coffee shop in Teramachi, order a cup of hand-brewed coffee with a cake, and slowly enjoy the leisurely time in Kyoto.

👗 Shopping Highlights

📚 Bookstores and cultural stores

• Teramachi has been a "book town" since ancient times, and there are still many old bookstores and second-hand bookstores here.
• Book lovers can go treasure hunting in the shop and find rare books or ancient books.

🎁 Groceries and Fashion

• Japanese-style items : hand towels, ceramics, and wooden crafts.
• Clothing store : From traditional kimono accessories to modern fashion clothing.
• Drugstores : Popular stores where tourists often shop.

🖼️ Antiques and Art

• The antique shop has all kinds of antique ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, full of the atmosphere of the ancient capital.
• Small galleries and art galleries showcase Kyoto's artistic atmosphere.

My favorite places to visit are second-hand bookstores and antique shops . I can always find surprises there, and what I take home is not just an item, but a story.

🎎 Historical and cultural background

⛩️ Origin

• The name "Teramachi" comes from the fact that Toyotomi Hideyoshi concentrated temples here when he planned the city of Kyoto in the late 16th century .
• Since ancient times, this place has become a gathering place of faith and culture.

📖 Development of Bookstore Street

• Since the Edo period, Teramachi has gradually become the bookstore center of Kyoto, with many publishers and bookstores opening here.
• To this day, you can still see time-honored bookstores that pass on a century of book culture.

🎭 Entertainment and shopping coexist

• During the Meiji period, the Teramachi area gradually transformed into an entertainment and commercial district.
• Today, Teramachi Kyogoku not only preserves its history and culture, but has also become a popular destination for shopping and leisure.

I feel that visiting Teramachi Kyogoku is like "walking through the history of Kyoto", and you can feel the depth of culture with every step.

🚉 Transportation

It is very convenient to go to Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street:

• Hankyu Kyoto Line : Get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station and walk about 3 minutes.
• Keihan Railway : Get off at Sanjo Station or Gion-Shijo Station and walk about 10 minutes.
• Subway Tozai Line : Get off at Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae Station and walk about 10 minutes.

Our editor recommends combining Teramachi Kyogoku, Shinkyogoku, and Nishiki Market into a single walking route, offering a unique combination of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.

💡 A friendly reminder from the editor

✨ There are more people in the afternoons during holidays, so it is recommended to come in the morning for a more leisurely pace.
✨ Bookstores and antique shops are suitable for leisurely treasure hunting, so don't rush.
✨ Some small shops do not accept credit cards, so remember to prepare cash.
✨ If you want to visit a temple, it is recommended to remain quiet and respect the local religious atmosphere.

🌟 Editor's summary

Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street is a long-established shopping street in Kyoto, offering a blend of shopping, dining, literature, and culture . Compared to Shinkyogoku, it boasts a richer sense of history and culture, making it a cultural stroll more than just a shopping experience.

For me, Teramachi Kyogoku is Kyoto's "Soul Avenue." Here, you can experience the historical depth of the ancient capital while embracing the modern pace of life. If you want to experience the most authentic daily life in Kyoto, Teramachi Kyogoku is a must-see! 🎉