Pontocho Alley

We did a 2 hour walking tour at night. It included Gion, a lovely park and temple areaAt the end we saw junior geishas going to appointments. It was nice not to be in crowds, and the lighting at night made for very interesting photos without being photobombed. You can book through Get Your Guide

Pontocho Alley is a flat, paved corridor lined with a myriad of densely arranged shops and restaurants alongside the walkway and via off shooting corridors. In the evening, there was a steady stream of tourists ambling through, and we especially felt the contrast when we reached a wider space near a small, dimly lit park (Pontocho Park), where a busker was crooning a tune. From the Kamo river, you'll make the first right and walk parallel to the river. You'll find delightful shops like one dedicated to rabbit themed goods and dotted with bars.

You can find great spots to drink here, not sure about food, but there is no real way to tell, so you better have in mind what you're looking for, as you need to check manually what's going on inside each place. Otherwise almost romantic street, all things considered...

Go to Pontocho Alley after sunset and it is magical! There are a lot of restaurants catering to tourists and some to locals only! You can see my photos. Lot of tourists but definitely worth going there if you are in Kyoto

A must-do when you are in Kyoto. Located by the river, on one side, and the canal on the other, with small alleys where there are many cafes and restaurants. It’s tranquil and charming !

Definitely worth a visit. Went on a rainy day so a little bit problematic with the crossing umbrellas. The restaurants on this street tends to be more expensive.

Visited in the afternoon, not much activity. The best time to visit is at night for dinner while enjoying the river view. Lots of food options

Amazing view, beautiful street.. a must visit. One thing that was slightly off putting is the abundance of yakiniku restaurants, making me desperate to try to find any other restaurant. I recommend just walking through there, don't plan to dine there.

Pontocho Alley is an alleyway lined with restaurants and bars by the Kamo River. There are a variety of types of restaurants from izakaya to sushi to wagyu beef. It's a tourist hot spot that's great for grabbing food and bar hopping. It might be pricier than other areas and most bars might require a cover charge but there are many options to fit what you're looking for.

I think this place is over hyped. But it is a nice alley. There are many stores there and many photo opportunities

Pontocho is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley with restaurants on both sides. It was a lovely street to walk down but many restaurants were closed when we visited, so we didn't end up stopping in to any. Most of the restaurants along the eastern side of the alley overlook the river, so if you're looking for a meal with a view aim for that side of the street!

Favourite part of Kyoto. Confession, when I first visited here, I actually thought I was in Gion. Once I went to Gion and was disappointed by how crowded and touristy it was, I really learnt to appreciate this place a lot more. It's not full of tourists or tourist traps, but it's an actual Edo era neighbourhood in Kyoto where locals dine, hang out and have meetings. The buildings and restaurants are all mainly traditional and many restaurants will require you to take off your shoes, so beware of that. Also, many of the restaurants will have you sit on the floor, traditional Japanese style, so if that's something you aren't able to do, beware. The Hard Rock Cafe is in this area too, if you're into collecting pins or souvenirs from there.

Pontocho, like Gion, is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.

One of Kyoto's famed geisha districts, Pontocho is composed of one long, skinny alley ("narrow as an eel's bed," as the saying goes) filled with bars, teahouses and restaurants. Look for lanterns with the chidori (plover) on them and you'll know you're there. Still has a very old fashioned feel. Definitely worth checking out if you are in Kyoto.

Fun alley in Gion just off the main strip. It has an old-school feel. Lots of restaurants and bars, mostly open in the evening. Many river-view options on the east side, and various hidden small bars on the west side. Lanterns and decorations add that classic Japanese feel. Definitely worth hitting up while you're cruising around Kyoto.

Lined with restaurants and bars, and as it is a narrow alleyway, expect to be squeezed in with the crowd. Most, if not all establishments have menus posted outside, so it makes for a quick browse as you're shuffling through the way.

This is a narrow alley that runs for several blocks along the Kamo River parallel to Kawaramachi Dori (the main shopping street in downtown Kyoto). It's packed with restaurants and bars, and most have a deck overlooking the river for outdoor dining. It's also going to be overrun with western tourists because it is so exotic and different from anything we have back home. This means there will be sub-par restaurants that cater to western tastes to avoid. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant we visited so I could warn you, but I can tell you it was one of the less expensive ones ... so I guess that should have been a warning. This was one of the few times we grabbed a meal in a touristy area instead of going off the beaten path to find where the locals dine. And I regret that. Still, It's a beautiful place for a stroll and to soak up the unique atmosphere. Especially at night!

3.5 stars After crossing the scenic Kamo River, we took a stroll through this alley in the evening. It's dark and very narrow, with smaller alleys to the left and right. Restaurant-front lanterns and large sake display bottles on the ground set the mood. A wooden door to our left slid open and we saw a woman dressed in traditional clothing bowing on the floor. Other than that, there's not much to see and I preferred it to be deserted. I would recommend taking a brief walk through Pontocho if you're in the area but you won't be missing out otherwise.

Yes, it's small and cute, but after the first 5-10 minutes the novelty wears off. It's still a place to go see at least once, but there are other streets in Gion that offer lovelier views and better pictures. Did not see a geisha in this area of Kyoto. Ironically, we saw one in the middle of the day somewhere near the Philosopher's Path, which is another area of Kyoto entirely. We went to Pontocho twice during our stay in Kyoto, but only because we had two restaurants in mind that were both located in the alleys. Otherwise, I think visiting once in the evening would have been enough.

While we stayed in Kyoto we were able to visit this area several times and soak in the atmosphere. The Pontocho is one short narrow road with bars and restaurants on either side but the area is a bit more than that. There is a river on one side and a small canal on the other, these stretch much further. The street with a canal is very similar to the Pontocho itself but has the pleasing litup stream flowing beside it. This area is a joy to walk through and there is ample opportunity for a debachorous night with all the bars surrounding it. It is also common to see fully dressed Geishas walking around just as they would have in generations past making for a very enigmatic journey.

Lovely narrow pedestrian walkway with traditional architecture. Don't rely on pictures to do it justice - since it's so crowded and narrow, the only way to experience it is to walk it.