Kyoto · Central Kyoto
Pontocho Alley
Pontocho is an alley 490 meters long between Sanjo Street and Shijo Street, squeezed between the Kamo River and the Takase River canal. It is 1.6 to 4.4 meters wide, lined on both sides with two-story wooden houses, teahouses and restaurants, and it has been a geisha district since the Edo period.
Until 2021, power lines were strung above the alley. The city developed a special method to bury them in such a narrow alley, and the work, which took seven years, ended in November 2021 with the removal of 17 utility poles.
At the north end stands Pontocho Kaburenjo, a theater from 1927 where every May it stages Kamogawa Odori, the dance performance of the Pontocho geisha, which began in 1872. The restaurants on the east side of the alley back onto the river, and in season they build wooden terraces over it, called yuka.
Good to know
- The yuka season on the Kamo River in 2026 runs from 1 May to 15 October. Some restaurants also serve lunch on the terrace, so ask when you book.
- In the narrow sections two people can barely pass each other. Stop for photos only at the corners.
- From the east bank of the river, near Shijo Bridge, you see the whole row of Pontocho terraces facing you.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Pontocho Alley.
- HerePontocho Alley
- 1 min
Kiyamachi-dori and Takase River Street
A narrow canal dug by Suminokura Ryoi around 1611 to carry goods by boat from Kyoto to Fushimi. Along it runs Kiyamachi Street, with bars and restaurants, parallel to Pontocho. Near Nijo, the first boat landing is preserved as a historic site.
- ~3 min
Omen Shijo Pontocho Food
A branch of the udon restaurant from Ginkaku-ji, at the south end of Pontocho. Thick udon that you dip in broth, with seasonal vegetables, crisp burdock and sesame.
- ~4 min
Francois Kissashitsu Cafe
A coffee shop from 1934 in Italian Baroque style, registered as a national cultural property. During the war years artists and intellectuals met here. Cash only and no reservations.
- ~4 min
Sanjo Ohashi More to see
A bridge 73 meters long that got its wooden railing and bronze caps, giboshi, in Hideyoshi's renovation in 1590. According to the city, some of the stone pillars and caps from that time are still in use, and the railing was recently renewed with wood from Kyoto's forests.
- ~5 min
Shijo-dori department stores, Kyoto Shopping
Kyoto's main street, with the two large department stores: Daimaru and Takashimaya, both with a tax-free counter.
- ~6 min
Rokuyosha Coffee Cafe
A coffee shop from 1950 at Kawaramachi-Sanjo, with its own roasting. From 12:00 they serve homemade donuts, for eating in only. On the street floor smoking is allowed after 12:00, and the basement is non-smoking.
- ~9 min
CHOICE Food
A fully vegan and gluten-free cafe, a few minutes on foot east of Keihan Sanjo Station: burgers, brown rice risotto, pancakes and cakes.
More in Central Kyoto
Appears in: Arashiyama: the bamboo grove at sunrise, Tenryu-ji, monkeys and the Romantic Train · Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market: the north and the center