Gion, Ponto-cho and Miyagawa-cho
Gion
Gion originally developed in front of Yasaka-jinja shrine. As the number of worshiper increased, the area grew and became the largest pleasure quarters of Kyoto. Present day Gion still has many Ochaya, where customers drink and dine while Maiko and Geiko (Geisha) entertain them in the traditional architecture. Gion retains atmosphere of old Kyoto.
Ponto-cho
A narrow alley that is on the west side of the Kamogawa river and extends from Shijo-dori street (4th street) to one block south of Sanjo-dori street (3rd street) is Ponto-cho, a pleasure area. On the both sides of the alley are geisha houses, bars and restaurants. Many people come and go on the street especially in the evening.
Miyagawa-cho
This is an alley that is lined on both sides with many Ochaya and retains calm atmosphere of old days of Kyoto. Miyagawa-cho is on the south west of Gion.
 |
 |
| Theater Minamiza, the first theater of Japan, established around 400 years
ago. 031130 |
Minamiza 031130 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Hanami-koji street at dusk. 050212 |
A sushi restaurant in Gion district. 050212 |
 |
 |
| Ichiriki-jaya, the most famous Ochaya of Gion. It appears on the stage
of a Kabuki play. 050101 |
Torishin, a restaurant specialized in chicken mizutaki (chicken and vegetables
cooked in a pot on the table and eaten after dipped in sauce). 030823 |
 |
 |
| Gees on the cold water of the Shirakawa river. 050101 |
Women in Kimono dress in front of compact Tatsumi-daimyojin shrine. 050101 |
 |
 |
| A woman in Kimono and Tatsumi-bashi bridge over the Shirakawa river. White
parasol protects her from blazing heat of the sun. 030823 |
Ochaya along the Shirakawa river. 030823 |
 |
 |
| A narrow alley close to Tatsumi-daimyojin. 030823 |
Ponto-cho Kabu Renjo, where Geiko and Maiko practice dances. 031130 |
 |
 |
| Daytime of Ponto-cho alley. 031130 |
Ponto-cho at dusk. 050212 |
 |
 |
| Pontocho at dusk. 050212 |
Statues of travelers of two to three hundred years ago. 031130 |
 |
|
| A row of Ochaya in Miyagawa-cho 050212 |