Izakaya · Pontocho

Pontocho Alley 先斗町

A lantern-lit stone lane barely two people wide between the Kamogawa and Kiyamachi, lined with izakaya, kaiseki houses, yakitori bars and summer riverside decks. Kyoto's classic night out.

HoursMost restaurants ~17:00-23:00; bars later

ClosedVaries by shop

PriceTypical izakaya dinner: ¥5,000
Kawayuka dinner course: ¥9,000

Getting thereGion-shijo Station (Keihan) or Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu), 3 min

Time needed2-3 hours

Best timeEvenings; kawayuka season May-Sep

AddressPontocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

About

Pontocho runs about 500 m from Shijo to Sanjo along the west bank of the Kamogawa. It is a working hanamachi (geiko district), and on its narrow side passages you may glimpse maiko heading to appointments, but most of what lines the lane today is dining: obanzai counters, yakitori, tempura, wine bars and pricier kaiseki restaurants. From 1 May to 30 September the riverside restaurants open their kawayuka, wooden decks built over the canal above the river, for dinner with a breeze. Numbered alley signs mark tiny dead-end passages, many hiding hidden bars. The lane is strictly no-photography in some private sections, and the local association asks visitors not to stop or block the path.

Highlights

Lantern-lit lane only 1.5-2 m wide, ending at the Kamogawa
Kawayuka riverside dining decks from May to September
Mix of affordable izakaya and high-end kaiseki
Numbered side alleys hiding small bars
Kaburenjo Theatre where Pontocho geiko perform the Kamogawa Odori in May

Tips

Many places have posted English menus with prices: check before you sit
Kawayuka decks need reservations in summer; lunch decks are cheaper
Do not photograph geiko or maiko or follow them
Weeknights after 21:00 are calmer and many bars stay open late

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

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Pontocho Alley 先斗町

About

Highlights

Tips

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