Shinbashi Street

Shinbashi-dori is an east–west street in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, forming the northernmost edge of the Gion district. The street runs for about 400 meters, from Higashioji-dori in the east to Yamato-oji-dori (also known as Nawate-dori) in the west. East of Higashioji-dori, it changes name to Chion-in-michi and continues up to the front of Chion-in Temple’s main gate. Lined with Gion teahouses, it offers an atmosphere that feels quintessentially Kyoto. Access is about a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Railway) or about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway). The Shinbashi-dori area is regarded as the birthplace of Gion and is inseparable from Kyoto’s cultural history; in the Edo period it appeared as a setting for popular townspeople’s culture such as ukiyo-zoshi literature, joruri puppet theater, and kabuki—traditions that still continue today. From around Tatsumi Daimyojin westward to Yamato-oji-dori, beautiful stone paving continues; these stones were reused from the former Kyoto streetcar track bed. The surrounding area is designated an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings,” and the streetscape—featuring lattice doors and komayose (doorstep guards)—is richly atmospheric.