Nishiki Market Live Cam

Historical Origins

Tracing its roots back over four centuries, Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto began as a narrow fish retailing street in the early Edo period (circa 1615). Known initially as “Uo no Tōri” (Fish Street), local fishermen from Lake Biwa and the Sea of Japan supplied fresh catch to the imperial court and tea houses. By the 18th century, the street extended eastward along Nishikikōji-dōri, attracting merchants selling pickles, dried goods, and confections alongside seafood stalls. The concentration of specialized vendors gave rise to the guild-like system of Kyoto’s early market economy, fostering interdependent clusters of traders who shared storage warehouses and transport networks.