Pontocho 先斗町
Pontocho is one of the traditional entertainment and nightlife district of Kyoto.
It is just a narrow street running between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori Avenues, just west of the Kamo river.
It is a good place to spot a colourfully dressed maiko (geisha apprentice). The best time is the early evening, around 6pm, when they are on their way to the teahouse, or around midnight when they leave.
Like in neighbouring Gion, most establishements in Pontocho are extremely expensive and required to be introduced by a Japanese habitu¨¦. Nevertheless, there are a few affordable yakitori or other ordinary restaurants too.
Kiyamachi-dori, which runs along a small river between Pontocho and Kawaramachi-dori, has all kinds of usual restaurants (as opposed to geisha teahouses) as well as nightclubs, and is popular with young Kyotoites.
How to get there
Pontocho is very central. It is just beside Hankyu Kawaramachi station, or 2min walk across the bridge from Keihan Shijo or Keihan Sanjo stations.
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