Shinbashi Dori
Shinbashi Dori
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Gion
Gion is Kyoto's famed Geisha District (called "Geiko" in Kyoto). Though Gion's many tea houses and entertainment restaurants are closed to foreigners, Geiko and Maiko in their traditional makeup with gilded hair in full kimono can be seen drifting the streets on their way to and from work, where they fan dance, sing, and play instruments for customers. Gion lights up at night, when the ancient-looking streets glow with lanterns along the river, where weeping willows catch the starlight and the air is warmed with conversation. Groups pass through to populate the restaurants and bars along the riverfront, but Gion still manages to be a mostly quiet district, due in large part to limited automotive traffic through many of its streets. Gion is a wonderful place to indulge in Kyoto's local and customary cuisines, and is best enjoyed after dark.
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4.5
169 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
67
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada794 contributions
Dec 2019
We have strolled this area both during the day and in the evening. However, our family enjoyed the evening stroll more so. More lively in the evening, the lights of the restaurants and bars are more welcoming. Something magical wandering around this area at night amongst lit lamps, lanterns and tree wrapped in white Xmas lights!
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EredGorgoroth1
Jakarta, Indonesia9,728 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
The most scenic road is not Shinbashi dori, but Hanami koji, Shirakawa channel, Shijo dori and Pontocho street.
Either starting from Pontocho or Yasaka Shrine, Gion district offers a scenic view of the old era of Japan. From teramachi dori/ shijo dori, Pontocho is a narrow alley full of restaurants in wooden structure, a high end resto district of the city. At the end of Pontocho, at a small bridge and a red torii shrine marks Shirakawa river. Row of restaurants at a steady flowing river is best viewed in the afternoon until dark. Reflections of lights on the river along the way of the narrow street to the large Shijo bridge. Across the street is Shijo dori which will lead to Gion district where theaters and geishas performing Japanese arts. a narrow alley at Shijo diri is Hanami koji street, which is the most beautiful geisha district with wooden old machiya/ traditional japanese houses, best viewed in the afternoon. Hanami koji is free of power and telecom cables.
The tour to these streets brings us back to the shogunate era of Japan, contrast with the modern steel structure of Kyoto station and the bustling hyped downtown Kyoto.
Either starting from Pontocho or Yasaka Shrine, Gion district offers a scenic view of the old era of Japan. From teramachi dori/ shijo dori, Pontocho is a narrow alley full of restaurants in wooden structure, a high end resto district of the city. At the end of Pontocho, at a small bridge and a red torii shrine marks Shirakawa river. Row of restaurants at a steady flowing river is best viewed in the afternoon until dark. Reflections of lights on the river along the way of the narrow street to the large Shijo bridge. Across the street is Shijo dori which will lead to Gion district where theaters and geishas performing Japanese arts. a narrow alley at Shijo diri is Hanami koji street, which is the most beautiful geisha district with wooden old machiya/ traditional japanese houses, best viewed in the afternoon. Hanami koji is free of power and telecom cables.
The tour to these streets brings us back to the shogunate era of Japan, contrast with the modern steel structure of Kyoto station and the bustling hyped downtown Kyoto.
Written 11 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sadpanda
Melbourne, Australia470 contributions
Feb 2011 • Friends
I love Shimbashi-dori! It's a beautiful little street in the heart of Gion. I think it's a must see. It's a beautifully quaint cobblestone road lined with trees and a beautiful stream. Ryokans and tea houses straddle the stream and its stunning during all times of the year (see photos attached. They are from different visits to Kyoto to show how it can look at different times of the year). It's a few streets north of Shijo-dori, the main street in Gion and easy to find.
It can get crowded during the day and early evening, especially around cherry blossom time, but later at night and early morning its empty, or at least only 1 or 2 people. This is when it's romantic to have a stroll. Probably 10pm onwards is fine.
It can get crowded during the day and early evening, especially around cherry blossom time, but later at night and early morning its empty, or at least only 1 or 2 people. This is when it's romantic to have a stroll. Probably 10pm onwards is fine.
Written 9 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,199 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
A special place in Kyoto, providing the visitor with a feeling of place and wonder. Perhaps best visited during off season to avoid waves of tourists
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jemkh
Melbourne, Australia770 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Come early in the morning to avoid the crowds but be immersed with the culture and history of the buildings around Shinbashi Dori and it's surrounds!
Written 18 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swift314
Sheffield, UK12,102 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
During the day the area is ok but nothing out of the ordinary at night it becomes beautifully lit and a photographers dream well worth a wander round but wait until the evening, lots fo cafes and restaurants to visit as well.
Written 10 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lrnnnn
Oxford, UK3,132 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
Take the time to explore Gion & find Shinbashi Dori, a lovely, quaint cobbled street, lined with cherry blossom trees, restaurants, tea houses & small stream.
Written 6 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SurfingWild
Bandung, Indonesia8,552 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
A very nice little street running from Yamato Oji Street on the west to the Gion Shin Bridge on the east and then further easton to Higashi Oji Street, full of dark wooden houses and stone pavings. When we visited there was not a lot happening except for a few other tourists also going for a stroll along this narrow road and a few tourists wearing colourful traditional Japanese clothing as well as some stores and small restaurants.
The buildings are very traditional looking and it certainly gives you a good sense of how old Kyoto used to be. It is also a nice place to take photos with a lovely background. The more interesting end is western part as further east the street loses much of it's charm.
The buildings are very traditional looking and it certainly gives you a good sense of how old Kyoto used to be. It is also a nice place to take photos with a lovely background. The more interesting end is western part as further east the street loses much of it's charm.
Written 13 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anne0630
Auckland Central, New Zealand49 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This is a picture perfect place with women in traditional dress, weddings and possibly geishas. The best photo opportunity and feels like old world Japan.
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zayne Z
Kaneohe, HI102 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
As we strolled down this lane one evening in Gion, you could not help but gaze at the activity behind large picture windows of lighted teahouses and restaurants across the canal. Each portal depicted a tantalizing vignette: a hostess serving two businessmen; professionals socializing (after work?); a pair having an intimate, romantic dinner. Your imagination was free to create a backstory for each window scene.
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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