Here’s the list of the five most famous areas in Kyoto’s downtown (Downtown Kyoto). I, as a Kyoto native, walk you through a map and mindset of each area.
Where is Downtown Kyoto
Downtown Kyoto = One-kilometer radius of Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) pinned above.
Downtown Kyoto is an area within one kilometer (0.60 miles) radius of Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) where Shijo Street (Shijo-dori / 四条通) and Kawaramachi Street (Kawaramachi-dori / 河原町通) cross. Shijo Kawaramachi physically/ideologically is Downtown Kyoto.
Downtown Kyoto during Gion Matsuri (The Gion Festival / 祇園祭) in July.
Although each local person has a different understanding of where Downtown Kyoto precisely is, it almost always stays within the area mentioned above.
Below are the most famous five areas in Downtown Kyoto: Gion (祇園), Pontocho (先斗町), Kiyamachi Street (木屋町通), Shinkyogoku (新京極), and Nishiki Market (錦市場).
Gion (祇園)
Gion = Yasaka Shrine and its surrounding area.
Gion (祇園) is one of the five geisha districts in Kyoto and the most famous one in Japan. The neighborhood represents nightlife somehow.
Gion is so legendary that a famous fringe theory in Japan claims that Gion is Zion as in Jerusalem (the theory claims that Japanese people are Jewish). But businesses in Gion are obviously opened on Fridays and Saturdays like any other in Japan. No need to worry for a night out on any day.
Although Sushi Sandwich doesn’t support the theory, it’s true Gion is a promised land for rakish nightlife like the one from The Key to Midnight by Dean Koontz.
Pontocho (先斗町)
Pontocho = Pontocho Alley.
Pontocho (先斗町) is also, one of the five geisha districts in Kyoto. Pontocho refers to Pontocho Alley (先斗町通) that runs alongside Kamo River.
Pontocho, a photogenic 550-meter (0.3 miles) alley, is packed with riverside restaurants and bars. The alley offers everything domestic/international tourists expect for a Kyoto vibe.
Pontocho at night. (Photo by Davreina)
Kiyamachi Street (木屋町通)
Kiyamachi Street. Further north the merrier.
If you are to drink and get lucky, you can loiter there all night long. But professional, hard-working Japanese hustlers won’t like it like that. Besides, if you are who you are, calm down and hit the gay bars. This is the area (but you won’t see the flags).
Shinkyogoku (新京極)
Also known as Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street (新京極商店街).
Shinkyogoku (新京極) is described as a shopping arcade. You may never get bored of souvenir shops, chain restaurants, and random karaage (fried chicken) stands there.
FYI: Cool kids never skip Shinkyogoku when playing around in Downtown Kyoto. I have more than a few friends who used to say “it’s my neighborhood” back in their school days.
Nishiki Market (錦市場)
Also known as Kyoto Nishiki Ichiba Shotengai (京都錦市場商店街).
Nishiki Market (錦市場) is the most famous market in Kyoto. It’s a full-fledged tourist attraction. Nishiki Market never underperforms as such.
Nishiki Market. (Photo by matsuyuki)
