Pontocho
Kawaramachi, Kyoto
Pontocho is a narrow lane about 500 m long between the Kamo River and the Takase canal, running from just south of Sanjo-dori to Shijo-dori, and it's one of Kyoto's five geisha districts. It was a sandbank until the river embankment of 1670, tea houses opened around 1712, and its Edo-period houses came through the great fire of 1864. Restaurants and shops now fill many of the old tea house buildings.
More photos of Pontocho
Insider tip
From 1 May to 15 October the riverside restaurants build noryo-yuka dining platforms on the riverbank, though each sets its own season, so check with the restaurant. The district's spring dance, the Kamogawa Odori, plays at the Pontocho Kaburenjo at the Sanjo end.
What the guides say about Pontocho
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 wins on trains and evenings. Hankyu, Keihan and the Tozai subway line all stop there, Nishiki Market and Pontocho are on your doorstep, and Yasaka Shrine's gate is about 13 minutes away on foot. Most of this site's neighbourhood guides end their stay advice the same way. If you'd like to walk home after dinner in Gion, sleep downtown.
From 1 May to 15 October the riverside restaurants along Pontocho build noryo-yuka dining platforms on the riverbank, though each one sets its own season. Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen puts one out too, round a garden laid out in 1611. Courses start at ¥9,000.
What's on at Pontocho
Upcoming events at Pontocho and within a ten-minute walk, 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 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 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 Kaomise Kabuki at Minamiza
京の年中行事 當る未歳 吉例顔見世興行 東西合同大歌舞伎
Time Matinee 10:30, evening 16:00 Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan), exit 6, 1 min walk
Kyoto's December kabuki brings star actors from Tokyo and Kansai together at Minamiza, a custom from the Edo era, when each theatre showed off its new company for the year. Tickets go on sale on 9 Nov, there are no shows on 9 and 17 Dec, and a few sessions are privately booked.
kajikawa, CC BY 3.0 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 Pontocho?
- The nearest station is Gion-Shijo or Sanjo (Keihan), Kyoto-Kawaramachi (Hankyu). Pontocho is in Kawaramachi, Kyoto.
- How much does Pontocho cost?
- Nothing. Pontocho is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Pontocho?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Pontocho?
- Early evening.
Stay near Pontocho
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