The red-light district that represent Kyoto
This large area is surrounded by the Yasaka Shrine (east side), the Kenninji Temple (south side), the Kamogawa River (west side) and Shinbashi-dori (north side). This is an amusement area including Minamiza, which is the oldest theater in Japan and is famous for "Kaomise" in which all-star Kabuki actors line up on the stage. Ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) and other restaurants line the street, and Geiko and Maiko can also be seen. The Miyako Odori, Kyoto style dance performance performed by Geiko and Maiko is held every April.

◆Access/ A short walk from Keihan Shijo Stn. or Gion bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.Gion Area

Kyoto's Kitchen with a tradition of 400 years
Known as the Kitchen of Kyoto. Some 130 food stores line a 400 m long, 4 m wide lane running east to west between Teramachi-dori and Takakura-dori on Nishikikoji-dori. The market boasts a large selection which covers almost everyone's needs from fresh food to ingredients for traditional Kyoto cuisine. Packed throughout the day with chefs and Okami-san from Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), as well as local shoppers and of course, out-of-town visitors.

●Close/ Open all-year round (Several stores close on Wed. or Sun.)
●Tel/ 075-211-3882 (Nishiki Market Shopping Promotion Association)

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Hankyu Karasuma Stn. or Subway Shijo Stn.

Streets lined with old fashioned townhouses of Kyoto
The gentle stone slope from Yasaka to Kiyomizudera Temple is called Sanneizaka. The area is designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Important Historic Buildings. Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics, Nishijin-ori textiles and other souvenir shops line the street and attract many visitors. There is a superstition which says those who falls down the stone steps will pass away in three years; that's why the slope is also called Sannenzaka. This is a wonderful walk towards Ishibe-koji via Ninenzaka and Nene-no-michi.

◆Access/ A 6 min. walk from Kiyomizu-michi bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.

The home of Sake with a concentration of Japanese Sake breweries
The area of Fushimi is famous for sake breweries. A row of willows and breweries with plastered walls line the street and make the scenery attractive. This is a typical view in Kyoto. The view from the path along the river is stunning. There are a lot of places to visit including Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum. During the brewing season in winter, the whole area is filled with the favorable smell of maturing sake to give the impression as sake breweries.

［Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum]　●Open/ 9:30-16:30
●Close/ Aug. 13-16, The beginning and the end of year　●Fare/ ￥300　●Tel/ 075-623-2056

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Keihan Chushojima Stn.

Nostalgic-looking square
The intersection where Kitakuni Kaido and Otemondori meet in the center of Nagahama is called Kurokabe Square, and its beautiful streets are popular among tourists. Nearby is Nagahama Castle, which was reconstructed in 1983, where you can have a commanding view of Lake Biwa from its Panorama Observation Deck.

［Kurokabe Square］　●Open/ 10:00-18:00 (Until 17:00 in winter)　●Closed/The end of year.
●Tel/ 0749-65-2330

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from JR Nagahama Stn.82Kurokabe Square

Streets with a proud history
"Udatsu" refers to the mud firewall built between the houses, which is expensive to make. Waki-machi flourished as the trading center of Awa Indigo between Edo and Meiji periods, and Indigo merchants that made millions created the beautiful streets of this town by building shops with "Udatsu". It is currently designated as a conservation area for historically important buildings and it bustles with many tourists.

［The Yoshida House］　●Open/ 9:00-16:30　●Closed/Open all year
●Fare/ Adult ￥500, Child ￥250　●Tel/ 0883-53-0960

◆Access/ A 10 min. drive from Tokushima Expressway Waki-machi IC, and 10 min drive from JR Anabuki Stn.