Teramachi Street

Teramachi Street is a north–south street in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, running from Shimei Street in the north to Gojo Street in the south. Its name is said to come from Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Tensho-era urban planning, which gathered many temples on the east side of this street. For access to Teramachi Street, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Subway Station and Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station are convenient. From Imadegawa Street to Nijo Street, it was once one of the city’s major north–south thoroughfares—so important that streetcars used to run there—but as Kawaramachi Street to the east was widened, the role of the main street gradually shifted there. From Marutamachi Street to Nijo Street, it becomes a shopping area lined with antique art shops, galleries, used bookstores, and Japanese tea specialty stores. From Oike Street to Shijo Street, it turns into a covered shopping arcade, forming a major commercial district together with the parallel Shinkyogoku Street and drawing many tourists and school trip groups. From Shijo Street to Takatsuji Street, it was once known as an electronics district, but in recent years the number of electronics stores has decreased and more apartment buildings have been constructed.