The Street of Kyoto (1) ; Shijo-dori

Of course old Kyoto is beautiful, but if you would like to experience and understand about modern Kyoto, you should walk in the center of Kyoto city.

Shijo-Karasuma

This time I walked along the Shijo-dori (dori means street) in which Kyoto people who are men and women of all ages go to-and-fro for strolling, shopping and dining. It is a traffic‐laden street. The starting point was Shijo-Karasuma intersection which is the center of Kyoto, and in underground has two stations which are “Shijo Station” of Kyoto City Subway Line and “Karasuma Station” of Hankyu Line. I was able to see mountains in the distance when I faced the west from there. Even when I faced the north or east, I also saw mountains, so I actually felt that Kyoto is located in a basin. When I looked at the south, I found the Kyoto Tower. I thought that Kyoto is not too big but too small, but a just good size.

Kyoto Tower

When going for a stroll in the town of Kyoto, the name of street is helpful. Kyoto people describe in Japanese the place like “Shijo-Karasuma wo Nishi (west) ni haitta (go) Minami-gawa (the south side)”. Shijo-Karasuma points the intersection (of Karasuma-dori which runs to north and south and Shijo-dori which runs to east and west). So the explanation of Kyoto people means “Go along Shijo-dori to west from Shijo-Karasuma intersection, it is in the south between Karasuma-dori and the next street (which runs to south and north)”. In brief, if you remember the name of street and the order, you can reach your destination, even if you do not know its address. You can use this way, because streets which is in the center of Kyoto city are like go board. In this case, it is the Citibank that is in its point which was explained by Kyoto people.

Shijo-dori

From Shijo-Karasuma to Shijo-Omiya

Well, let’s go along Shijo-dori to west from Shijo-Karasuma. There are a lot of shops, but two Machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) in opposition to each other at the east from Shijo-Nishinotoin are conspicuous. The north one is “Shijo-Kyo-Machiya” that can be visited free of charge.

Machiya

The south one is “Shikunshi” that is kimono shop. Japanese-style small articles which has been displayed in the show window are colorful and lovely.

After walk for 12 minutes, it will reach Shijo-Omiya which has two station, “Shijo-Omiya Station” of Keifuku Line and “Omiya Station” of Hankyu Line. Of course Shijo-Omiya means the intersection of Shijo-dori and Omiya-dori. There are restaurants, Pachinko (Japanese upright pinball game) and 100 yen shop, book store, etc around there.

Shijo-Omiya intersection

From Shijo-Karasuma to Shijo-Kawaramachi

Now, let’s go along Shijo-dori to east from Shijo-Karasuma. Then what does it have? There are any kinds of shops, because it is the main street of Kyoto. Daimaru department store, Louis Vuitton store where guards exist in the entrance, and Kinken shops (it is broker that specialize in railroad ticket, credit deposit ticket, book token, coupon, etc.) which are crowded. Fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, etc.. The mechanical clock of Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. in the south-west of Shijo-Sakaimachi moves with music of Gion festival at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm everyday. Junkdo book store sells books which are written in English of guide about Kyoto and Japanese culture at 2nd floor.

The mechanical clock

Shijo-dori has changed for 10 years, and even now there are some places which are under construction. Old shops keep doing business at between new buildings.

Old shop between new buildings

In Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection, there are Takashimaya of famous department store, Hankyu department store, and there is “Kawaramachi Station” of Hankyu Line in its underground. “Kawaramachi no haha (Mother of Kawaramachi)” appears on the north-east of its intersection every evening. It is rumored that she is the best fortuneteller in Kyoto.

Kawaramachi no haha

From Shijo-Kawaramachi to Yasaka Shrine

There are a lot of bars, taverns and pubs in east zone of Kawaramachi-dori, it becomes busy from evening. It is a famous zone on a nationwide scale. Ponto-cho which is one of Hanamachi, which is a Japanese geisha district. There is Gion which is most famous Hanamachi of Japan where crossing the Shijo-Ohashi bridge in the Kamo-gawa river. In its underground there is “Shijo Station” of Keihan Line.

Shijo-Ohashi

And “Minami-za” which is the oldest theater in Japan is in south of Shijo-dori which is the birthplace of Kabuki. In more eastern, “Ichiriki chaya” which has red walls that represented Gion is in the Hanami-koji street where maikoes come and go. Yasaka Shrine enshrines in east-end of Shijo-dori.

Ichiriki chaya

As you know there are a lot of sightseeing points in Gion. Temples, Shinto shrines and souvenir shops and Japanese sweets restaurant where many guests wait always forming a long line in front, etc..

Gion Tsujiri

The distance from Shijo-Omiya to Yasaka Shrine is about 2.7km. It takes about 40 minutes if walking.

Though it is possible to look for the souvenirs while wandering around Shijo-dori, Kyoto Claft Center in Gion and the Shijo center are convenient if it chooses collectively. Because there are many old-established shops and famous shops in the basement of Takashimaya and Daimaru Department Store, the utility value is high.