Kyoto · Japan
Self-guided food tour Demachi / Shimogamo, Kyoto
A self-guided food walk through Demachi / Shimogamo, Kyoto. You get a private guide 24 hours before your start, then walk it alone over up to 5 days, tasting up to 24 dishes and paying each vendor directly.
Vendor details verified on 8 Oct 2026 · Researched by BestByLocals Research Team
About the area
Demachi sits where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet in northern Kyoto, beside the old Masugata shopping arcade and the forest of Shimogamo Shrine. This route tastes the neighbourhood's traditional sweet shops and small restaurants: fresh mochi, takoyaki, oden and mackerel sushi with udon, with sushi and tea-house sweets by the shrine on the longer route.
Some of the places on the walk
- Daikokuya Kamamochi Honpo
- Demachi Futaba
- Kamo Mitarashi Chaya
- Masugataya
- Saruya (Shimogamo Shrine)
- Shimogamo Gonzo
- Sushi Fujii
- Tako to Kentaro Part 2
Listed alphabetically — not in walking order. The full route, addresses and dish prices are in your guide.
Before you buy
- Daikokuya Kamamochi Honpo is closed on Wednesdays
- Demachi Futaba is closed on Tuesdays
- Shimogamo Gonzo is closed on Tuesdays
- Masugataya is closed on Wednesdays
- Sushi Fujii is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Kamo Mitarashi Chaya is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- This walk is sold for Thursday to Monday: on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most stops are closed.
- Most shops take cash only.
- Popular sweets sell out, so go in the morning.
- Over New Year, Golden Week and the Aoi Matsuri festival some shops close or have long queues.
Food and dietary notice
Cross-contamination is likely, so the walks are not recommended if you have food allergies. We can't cater for religious dietary requirements and we don't state whether anything is halal. Where we know a dish contains pork, beef or alcohol we say so, but that is not conclusive — check directly with each vendor. You take part at your own risk.
If you have a severe or life-threatening allergy, we recommend you don't take part.
What you get that a PDF doesn't
- Opening hours checked with the vendors and on Maps on 8 Oct 2026.
- Closed days and public holidays handled day by day, so you know what's open on each day of your walk.
- Spare stops, in case one is shut when you get there.
- A multi-day access window: 3 to 5 days, depending on your tier.
- Your choice of size: 3 tiers, from Express to Signature.
Our guide or a free list?
When a free DIY list is enough
If you only want one famous dish in Kyoto, a free list or map is enough.
What the guide adds
The guide plans walking routes through Demachi / Shimogamo, checks closed days, and says what to order at each stop and what it costs, so you can eat well at your own pace.
Choose your tier
- Express$156–7 tastings3 days access$15Coming soon
- Classic$2513–15 tastings4 days access$25Coming soon
- Signature$3520–24 tastings5 days access$35Coming soon
Your guide opens in your phone's web browser — no app needed. You'll need mobile data or Wi-Fi to open it and for map directions. Once opened, it also works through short gaps in signal. Access ends automatically at the end of your N-day window. N is the number of access days for your tier: Express 3 days, Classic 4 days, Signature 5 days.
This destination isn't on sale yet.
Prices in USD. Taxes are calculated at checkout by Lemon Squeezy. Prices are for the guide only. Food and drink aren't included — you pay each vendor directly, at their prices.
Quick answers
- What is the Demachi / Shimogamo food walk?
- A self-guided food walk through Demachi / Shimogamo, Kyoto. You get a private guide 24 hours before your start, then walk it alone over up to 5 days, tasting up to 24 dishes and paying each vendor directly.
- How much does it cost?
- From $15 (Express: 6–7 tastings, 3 days) to $35 (Signature: 20–24 tastings, 5 days). The guide price doesn't include food — you pay vendors directly.
- Are any places closed on certain days?
- Yes — please check before you pick your start date: Daikokuya Kamamochi Honpo is closed on Wednesdays; Demachi Futaba is closed on Tuesdays; Shimogamo Gonzo is closed on Tuesdays; Masugataya is closed on Wednesdays; Sushi Fujii is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Kamo Mitarashi Chaya is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; This walk is sold for Thursday to Monday: on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most stops are closed.; Most shops take cash only.; Popular sweets sell out, so go in the morning.; Over New Year, Golden Week and the Aoi Matsuri festival some shops close or have long queues..
- Do I need mobile data?
- Your guide opens in your phone's web browser — no app needed. You'll need mobile data or Wi-Fi to open it and for map directions. Once opened, it also works through short gaps in signal. Access ends automatically at the end of your N-day window. N is the number of access days for your tier: Express 3 days, Classic 4 days, Signature 5 days.
- Is it suitable for allergies or dietary requirements?
- Cross-contamination is likely, so the walks are not recommended if you have food allergies. We can't cater for religious dietary requirements and we don't state whether anything is halal. Where we know a dish contains pork, beef or alcohol we say so, but that is not conclusive — check directly with each vendor. You take part at your own risk. If you have a severe or life-threatening allergy, we recommend you don't take part.
- Can I cancel?
- Yes, free of charge until your guide is sent (24 hours before your start). After that there are no refunds. If you buy less than 24 hours before your start, the guide is sent immediately and can't be refunded.
- Can I change my start date?
- You can change your start date once, free of charge, by emailing support@getbestbylocals.com any time before your guide is sent (24 hours before your start). Once the guide has been sent, the date is fixed.
People also ask
- Is it worth doing a food tour in Kyoto?
- If you like trying many small dishes, yes: a self-guided walk through Demachi / Shimogamo lets you taste local favourites at your own pace, over several days.
- Is it expensive to eat in Kyoto?
- You pay each vendor directly for what you eat; the guide shows the price of each tasting before you order, or says when to check at the counter.