Kamo River
Kawaramachi, Kyoto
The Kamo River runs about 27 km through Kyoto, and between the Sanjo and Shijo bridges the low Pontocho houses on the west bank face the water. From 1 May to 15 October restaurants on the west bank between Nijo and Gojo build noryo-yuka dining platforms out on the riverbank, a custom said to go back to the Momoyama period.
Insider tip
Kyoto Prefecture's Kamo River ordinance bans rockets, aerial fireworks and firecrackers on the river banks through the city. The water can rise fast in a downpour, so move away from the river as soon as it starts to rise.
What the guides say about Kamo River
22. Pontocho and the Kamo River. Pontocho is a lane about 500 m long between the river and the Takase canal. From 1 May to 15 October, restaurants on the west bank build noryo-yuka dining platforms out on the riverbank, though each sets its own season. Or sit on the bank between the Sanjo and Shijo bridges.
Kawaramachi is the shopping streets round the Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing, with the Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Arcades running north, Nishiki Market running west and Pontocho squeezed in between the Takase canal and the Kamo River. You'll come here to eat, and if you sleep here you won't need a train to get back. Bar K6 on Kiyamachi pours until 2:00.
What's on near Kamo River
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Kamo River, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Pontocho Suimeikai Dance Recital
第111回 水明会
Time 15:30 (doors 15:00) Station Sanjo (Keihan), 5 min walk
Pontocho's geiko have staged this dance recital since 1930, named after the clear water of the Kamo River, with tokiwazu, kiyomoto and nagauta pieces. Reserved seats are ¥10,000 or ¥8,000 and unreserved ones ¥5,000.
Mariemon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kamogawa Odori
鴨川をどり
Time 12:30, 14:20 and 16:10 Station Sanjo (Keihan Line), 5 min walk from exit 6
Pontocho's geiko and maiko in a dance drama and then a set of pure dance, in the 1927 Pontocho Kaburenjo by the river. First staged in 1872, it's been performed more times than any other Kyoto geisha show.
Mariemon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho
水明会（先斗町）
Time 15:30 (doors 15:00) Station Sanjo (Keihan), 5 min walk
Pontocho's geiko recital, held since 1930 and named after the clear water of the Kamo River. Reserved seats were ¥10,000 and ¥8,000 and unreserved ones ¥5,000 in 2026.
Mariemon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kamogawa Noryo-yuka Riverside Terraces
鴨川納涼床
Station Sanjo or Gion-Shijo (Keihan Line)
From 1 May the restaurants along the river in Kiyamachi, Pontocho and Saiseki serve on outdoor terraces looking across the Kamogawa to the Higashiyama hills, until 15 October. Some stop at the end of September, and breakfast, lunch and hours vary by restaurant.
Domenico Convertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kanikakuni-sai Tea Gathering in Gion
かにかくに祭
Time 11:00 to 15:30, seatings every 30 minutes (last entry 15:00) Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan), 10 min walk
Gion Kobu remembers the poet Yoshii Isamu at his stone by the Shirakawa stream, where white chrysanthemums are laid each year, and you can book a seat at the tea served by geiko and maiko. Each group gets one photo with them, and it goes ahead in rain.
mrhayata, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nearby
Around Kawaramachi
Downtown Kyoto, between Nishiki Market and the Kamo River
Kawaramachi is downtown Kyoto, the shopping streets round the Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing. The Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Arcades run north from Shijo-dori, Nishiki Market runs west from them, and east of Kawaramachi-dori the Takase canal and Pontocho squeeze in before the Kamo River. You'll come here to eat, mostly. Some of the tea, incense and paper shops date from the Edo period.
Kawaramachi has 26 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 5 shops, 4 cafes, 4 restaurants, 3 shrines and temples, 3 landmarks, 2 bars, 2 neighbourhoods, 1 park or garden, 1 market and 1 bathhouse. Read the Kawaramachi guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Kamo River?
- The nearest station is Sanjo or Gion-Shijo (Keihan). Kamo River is in Kawaramachi, Kyoto.
- How much does Kamo River cost?
- Nothing. Kamo River is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Kamo River?
- Plan for 45 min.
- When is the best time to visit Kamo River?
- Evenings, May to mid-October.
Stay near Kamo River
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