Pontocho is a narrow alley that runs one block west of Kyoto’s famous Kamo River. Home to an array of traditional and modern restaurants, it’s a vibrant place where I always take friends visiting from outside the city. The atmosphere is alluring especially at night when the alley is lit up by the warm glow of traditional lanterns.
Typically from May to late September during the summer, each restaurant along the alley sets up matted terraces called noryo-yuka on the eastern front that faces the Kamo River. Whether you opt for delicious yakitori (skewered grilled chicken), sushi, tempura (deep-fried veggies and seafood), even Italian or French cuisine, the noryo-yuka platform allows customers to enjoy outdoor riverside dining. Now that’s a quintessential Kyoto experience.
In addition to restaurants, geisha houses known as okiya line the alley. This is where geisha (traditional female performers) and their younger apprentices (called maiko) live. You will also see venues where they entertain guests through music, dance, games and conversations. So, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of an elegant geisha walking down the street (please be respectful of their space and only observe from a distance).
Pontocho Alley: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3921.html
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hZC85tMbmeY1PT51A
This content is restricted to site members. If you are an existing user, please log in. New users may register below.