Sightseeing & Shopping! Info On Famous Kyoto Streets (East/West)

Get to Know the Streets of Kyoto!

In the heart of Kyoto, the streets run in an east/west and north/south direction, forming a grid. As a result, you can navigate the streets of Kyoto using the the four cardinal directions or coordinate axis. 

The city center of Kyoto is almost like a Go chessboard, and every intersection looks and feels very similar. This can sometimes make it difficult for you to figure out where you are. When that happens, check the street signs at the intersection!

In the city center, the name of the intersections are formed from the names of intersecting north/south and east/west streets. For example, if the name is Kawaramachi Sanjo, then it means you're at the intersection where Kawaramachi Street (Kawaramachi-dori) (north/south direction) meets Sanjo Street (Sanjo-dori) (east/west direction).

Must-Know Tips On Kyoto's Streets

You now know how to figure out where you are, but some people might still find the numerous street names to be confusing. There's a "Street Song" that's perfect for such people.

This table shows the main streets in Kyoto's city center.

There's a song that can help you remember the names of Kyoto's streets. The locals use this "Street Song" to help them remember the names and order of the streets. There's a song each for the north/south and east/west streets. Here's part of the "Ma Ru Ta Ke E Bi Su" song that can help you remember the east/west streets!

"Maru Take Ebisu Ni Oshi Oike

Ane San Rokaku Tako Nishiki

Shi Aya Bu Taka Matsu Man Gojo..."

Maru = Marutamachi Street (Marutamachi-dori)

Take = Takeyamachi Street (Takeyamachi-dori)

Ebisu = Ebisugawa Street (Ebisugawa-dori)

Ni = Nijo Street (Nijo-dori)

Oshi = Oshikoji Street (Oshikoji-dori)

Oike = Oike Street (Oike-dori)

Ane = Aneyakoji Street (Aneyakoji-dori)

San = Sanjo Street (Sanjo-dori)

Rokkaku = Rokkaku Street (Rokkaku-dori)

Tako = Takoyakushi Street (Takoyakushi-dori)

Nishiki = Nishikikoji Street (Nishikikoji-dori)

Shi = Shijo Street (Shijo-dori)

Aya = Ayanokoji Street (Ayanokoji-dori)

Bu = Bukkoji Street (Bukkoji-dori)

Taka = Takatsuji Street (Takatsuji-dori)

Matsu = Matsubara Street (Matsubara-dori)

Man = Manjuji Street (Manjuji-dori)

Gojyo = Gojyo Street (Gojyo-dori)

If you're curious about the song's melody, there are websites that include recordings of the song, so check them out!

Recommended East/West Streets!

Here are some streets in the heart of Kyoto that you should know for sightseeing, starting from the north.

Furniture Street (Ebisugawa Street)

Ebisugawa Street is famous for being a furniture street. The stretch between Karasuma Street (Karasumi-dori) and Teramachi Street (Teramachi-dori) features many furniture and home fitting shops.

Shops selling traditional wedding furniture and traditional Japanese furniture can be found here, along with a table specialist store that's been around for over 140 years and several antique shops. There's plenty to see here! There are also many trendy cafes where you can stop by to rest your tired feet. That's a pretty nice way to spend your time too!

Where Retro Buildings and Sophisticated Shops Congregate (Sanjo Street)

Sanjo Street is popular for being a shopping street. The stretch between the Kawaramachi Street and Karasuma Street intersections is full of shops that stock sophisticated fashion-related goods and cafes, giving the area a unique atmosphere. It's not as crowded as Shijo Street (Kyoto's main shopping street), so you can leisurely walk around.

Additionally, it houses the Kyoto Museum and many other buildings that have retro Western-style facades. This is a characteristic of the area. Its wonderous and pretty buildings make for a great place if you want to take photos!

Where You Can Taste Kyoto (Nishikikoji Street)

Nishikikoji Street is a narrow street, but it's a famous sightseeing spot, as Nishiki Market (Nishiki Shijo) is located here.

Nishiki Market is located in the stretch between Takakura Street (Takakura-dori), and it is also known as "Kyoto's Kitchen". It's only about 3m wide, but features over 100 shops selling fruits and vegetables, fish, dried goods, side dishes and more! You'll be able to get Kyoto delicacies like Yuba (beancurd skin) and Kyo Tsukemono (Kyoto pickled vegetables) here while enjoying various other foods as you walk.

Plenty of Shopping and Sightseeing (Shijo Street)

Shijo Street is the main street that runs through the heart of Kyoto's city center. As one of the main shopping areas in Kyoto, it's particularly lively and packed with shops between Karasuma Street and Kawaramachi Street. Kawaramachi Street is another a major shopping street with comparatively newer shops, but Shijo Street is where many well-established department stores are concentrated.

Additionally, Yasaka Jinja Shrine is located at the east end of the street, while Matsunoo Taisha Shrine is located on the western end. Sightseeing spots like Minamiza and Gion are also found along the street. The area can be accessed via numerous train stations on the Hankyu Railway, Keihan Electric Railway and subway, making it very easily accessible.

Japanese-style Shops Line the Street (Bukkoji Street)

Unlike Shijo Street that's just two streets north of it, Bukkoji Street is much less crowded and has a serene atmosphere.

Between Karasuma Street and Teramachi Street sits Bukkoji Temple, which gave the street its name. Besides the temple, you'll find Kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto townhouses) that have been converted into restaurants and cafes here. Take a break at the cafes here after shopping at Shijo Street!

If you can remember the streets, you'll feel more familiar with Kyoto! Remember to take note of the streets when you visit Kyoto! 

*Thumbnail Images：ⒸK.G.G.project