Nishiki Market (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City), popular among tourists as the "Kitchen of Kyoto," is collaborating with historic markets around the world to combat overtourism and preserve and pass on market culture. We will participate in a network called for by the San Lorenzo Central Market in Florence, Italy, with which we have a friendly alliance, and will focus on coexisting with tourists. It also aims to be registered as a world intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The decision was made by the Kyoto Nishiki Market Shopping District Promotion Association at a board meeting held on the evening of April 23, 2024. In addition to Nishiki and San Lorenzo, 11 other markets are participating, including ''Tovherane KBH'' in Copenhagen, Denmark, ''Markthalle Neun'' in Berlin, Germany, and ''Mahane Yehuda'' in Jerusalem, Israel, making Nishiki Market the only market in Asia. Become. All of them have roofs and are said to be old-fashioned markets that mainly sell food and drinks.
The establishment of the network aims to combat overtourism and preserve traditional food culture. Markets in tourist cities are flooded with tourists, leading to congestion and trash problems that are causing friction with local residents. Nishiki Market has also become crowded due to the rapid increase in the number of visitors to Japan, and the number of long-established stores that pass on traditional flavors has decreased, causing problems such as an alienation of local customers and a decline in manners.
Representatives from 13 markets gathered in Florence in early April to report on the current situation and challenges of each market, and to inspect congestion control measures at the San Lorenzo Central Market. Going forward, participating markets will establish rules and plans to launch the World Historical Market Association (tentative name). The association will disseminate the cultural value and role of historic markets both domestically and internationally, and use this as a stepping stone to registration as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Nobuyuki Hatsuda, chairman of the Kyoto Nishiki Market Shopping District Promotion Association, said, ''We agree with the idea of working together to solve common issues such as overtourism.We would like to find hints to help merchants, tourists, and local residents enjoy shopping.''
