Photo Spot · Miyagawacho
Miyagawacho 宮川町
A quiet geisha district running along the east bank of the Kamo river between Shijo and Gojo, its teahouses marked by lanterns with three interlocking rings.
About
Walk Miyagawa-suji south from Shijo and you pass rows of two-storey ochaya with dark lattices, bamboo screens and red lanterns bearing the district's three-ring crest. The gentle curve of the street gives a good leading line, and in the early evening you may see geiko heading to appointments. It is far less visited than Hanamikoji, making it one of the easier places in Kyoto to photograph traditional teahouse architecture without crowds.
Highlights
- Rows of ochaya with three-ring crest lanterns
- Curving street that works as a leading line
- Few tourists compared with Gion
- Short walk from the Kamo river
Tips
- Photograph architecture, not people going about their work.
- Stay out of doorways and do not ring bells or open lattice doors.
- Evening lantern light is best; the street is very dim after dark.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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