Kyoto is famous for its hot, sticky summers and chilly winters. Because it's located in the inland basin. Kyoto is sometimes called the bottom of a pan!
Every year from May 1st to September 30th, many of the restaurants along the Kamo Riverbank open their wooden-deck patios.
On these patios, customers enjoy their meals with the breeze from the river. so that you can cool off during the hot Kyoto summer.
One of the good idea to cool down yourself is to enjoy the breeze from the Kamo River, Especially at night
Pontocho is a stone-paved narrow lane, lies between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori just along with Kamogawa river.
In the evening,
it shows real Kyoto atmosphere with many restaruants, bars and ryotei (exclusive Japanese restaurant).
In these really narrow path you can find various kinds of food restaurants including Sushi, Shabu Shabu,
Sukiyaki, Eel,
Traditional Kyoto Kaiseki,
Casual Izakaya
(Japanese-style Pub)
Beef, or even French!!
Some of these are ochaya, where geiko-san entertain guests.
So If you go to Pontocho in right time, you may glance beautiful appearance maiko and geiko-san.
A stroll down Pontocho can be enjoyable even without going inside an ochaya. The cobblestone street is beautiful.
today there are 90 yuka platforms.
Overlooking Kamo river on the platforms are perfect relaxation.
Enjoy river breezes and let yourselef go! The nighttime atmosphere of strolling people and traditional lantern light is very exotic.
Ponto-cho alley is between the bus stop of "Shijo-kawaramachi" and "Shijo-Keihan-mae", you will find the attractive veranda soon, stretched from each restaurant along the river. Those veranda is only from May to September.
There is a Pontocho Maiko and Geiko Theater near from this alley. You may come accross these amazing scene if you're lucky! :)
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