Market in Kyoto
Umekoji Park Handmade Market — December 5
The market takes place on November 7 and December 5 during the featured period, not daily. Held rain or shine, this outdoor market features handmade goods sold directly by their creators.
- Dates
- Dec 5 (Sat)
- Hours
- 09:00 – 16:00
- Venue
- Umekoji Park, Shichijo Entrance Event Plaza
- Nearest station
- Umekoji-Kyotonishi
- Admission
- Free admission
About this event
At this craft market, the person selling an item is also its maker. That direct connection is the defining appeal of Umekoji Park Handmade Market. A sister event to the famous Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chionji Temple, it brings handmade creations into an open park setting. Visitors can browse individual works and speak directly with their creators before choosing something to take home. Kyoto's official tourism guide notes that the site is relatively flat and has wider pathways than the Chionji market. For travellers near Kyoto Station, it offers a glimpse of the city's living craft culture beyond the usual sightseeing attractions.
Highlights
- Meet the makers and hear about their work directly.
- Explore the sister event of the Hyakumanben Handmade Market.
- Browse the relatively flat and spacious event area.
- Combine handmade shopping with a walk around the Kyoto Station area.
- Good for
- For craft lovers, souvenir hunters, families and travellers looking for locally made items.
Good to know before you go
- The market takes place even when it rains.
- Items are sold directly by the participating makers.
- Direct event enquiries to the Handmade Market organisers.
Pochikichi's story cornerWhy are the sellers also the makers at Kyoto's handmade markets?
Shopping at a Kyoto handmade market is about more than finding an attractive object. At Umekoji Park Handmade Market, sellers are the creators of the items they offer. Visitors can ask about techniques, materials and ideas directly, creating a personal connection that differs from conventional retail shopping.
The market is known as a sister event to the Hyakumanben Handmade Market held at Chionji Temple. Both bring makers and visitors together in a setting where individual craftsmanship takes centre stage. Rather than browsing anonymous mass-produced goods, shoppers encounter works presented by the people who created them.
Umekoji Park provides a different atmosphere from a temple market. Its open surroundings offer space for visitors to browse while enjoying an urban park. The event takes place around the park's Shichijo entrance area.
Kyoto's official tourism guide describes the Umekoji venue as flatter and more spacious than the Chionji site, with wider walkways. The setting changes the way visitors experience the market. But the most important feature remains the direct encounter between maker and customer. That is why the people behind the objects deserve as much attention as the objects themselves.
Sources: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide — Umekoji Park Handmade Market (Japanese), Handmade Market — Official organiser website (Japanese)
FAQ
- What is Umekoji Park Handmade Market — December 5?
- At this craft market, the person selling an item is also its maker. That direct connection is the defining appeal of Umekoji Park Handmade Market. A sister event to the famous Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chionji Temple, it brings handmade creations into an open park setting. Visitors can browse individual works and speak directly with their creators before choosing something to take home. Kyoto's official tourism guide notes that the site is relatively flat and has wider pathways than the Chionji market. For travellers near Kyoto Station, it offers a glimpse of the city's living craft culture beyond the usual sightseeing attractions.
- When is Umekoji Park Handmade Market — December 5?
- On Dec 5 (Sat), 2026.
- What are the opening hours?
- 09:00 – 16:00
- How much does it cost?
- Free admission
- Where is it and what is the nearest station?
- Umekoji Park, Shichijo Entrance Event Plaza. The nearest station is Umekoji-Kyotonishi.
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