Washington Hotels
Hotel Gracery
Enjoy the charms of retro Japan in Ponto-cho, Kyoto!
There is a town in Kyoto that has been preserving the old charms of Japan for hundreds of years. Ponto-cho (先斗町) is one of the famous areas, and you don’t want to skip it when you’re in Kyoto. The street is lined with famous restaurants, longstanding Kyoto dessert shops, chic bars with sake, and all sorts of charming shops.
Ponto-cho refers to a narrow alley along Kamogawa River and is about 500 meters in length.In 1859, Geisha performances were legalized, and this area became a well-known flower district alongside Gion. Even now, it is known for being a place where you can encounter Maiko, and many visitors come to try and see them.
“Ponto-cho” does not sound like a Japanese name. It is said that the name came from the Portuguese word “ponta” meaning “point”. The mystery of its unique name is one of the many charms of this place. Be sure to stop by during your visit to Kyoto.
| Address | Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture (500-meter path from Sanjo-dori to Shijo-dori) |
| Access | 5-min. walk from Sanjo Keihan Station on the Tozai Subway Line / 3-min. walk from Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway / 5-min. walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Railway Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: From the Kawaramachi Gojo bus stop, ride City Bus 7 to the Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop ※to Kashiwaya-cho, Ponto-cho Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: 11-min. walk via Pontocho-dori Avenue ※to Kashiwaya-cho, Ponto-cho |
| URL | https://www.ponto-chou.com/ |
Base of this trip
Hotel Tavinos Kyoto
3-min walk from Shimizu-Gojo station on the Keihan line／7-min walk from Gojo Station on the Karasuma line／10-min walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto line
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
5-min walk from Kyotoshiyakushomae station on the Tozai line
