Sign of a whisky bar in Pontocho.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Restaurants in Pontocho.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Lantern with the symbol of Pontocho, a stylized plover.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Bars in Pontocho.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Side street of Pontocho.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

The small eatery "Tabako-ya" in Pontocho. One of my favorites, this restaurant serves tasty obanzai and local sake.

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

Restaurant, Pontocho

Pontocho is known as Kyoto's second geisha district and the Kamogawa Odori dances held each year in May in the Kaburenjo Theater by some 60 maiko testify to its name. The town was built on a narrow sandbar along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Shijo.

The origin of the word "ponto" is not certain, but it may come from a 16th c. Portuguese term referring to this spit of sand, "ponto" (combined with the Japanese "cho" for "town")..

There are still several exclusive teahouses left, but the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled street is determined by the many restaurants and bars, both expensive and cheap.

In summer, between May and September, those restaurants build Yuka or platforms over the river, so that customers can dine outside and enjoy the evening breeze. Read more in Japan Navigator.

okiya in Higashi Gion

pontocho at night. walking through pontocho at night was one of my favourite things to do the first time I was in kyoto. the sound of laughter and shamisen, the smell of the food, sometimes if you are lucky you will hear the familiar sounds of the footsteps of a maiko.

restaurant in pontocho

just before I took this picture there were some customers drinking with a geiko.

pontocho at night

#7.1.16 #picture7 #lantern #picoftheday #365pics #japan #light #culture #travel #instatravel #wanderlust #lovetravel #gion #geishatown #tripadvisor #lonelyplanet #nippon #worldnomads