
Shijo-dori Avenue, Kyoto
Shijo-dori or the “Fourth Avenue of Heian-kyō” (one of the several former names of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan), is a fabulous street that runs East to West through the heart of the city. This street has everything, from high-end shopping to restaurants to stores selling traditional Japanese handcrafted products, and as such is fit to satisfy every taste.
Shijo-dori is very long and very clean, with lots of sidewalks, lamps, signage, and even a small Yasaka Shrine at its eastern end, marking the entry point to Gion district. Originally quite narrow, it was expanded in 2015, making it much easier to walk through. Covered by awnings on both sides, the street is just a delight to stroll from one end to the other, even if not shopping, no matter if it's raining or scorching hot, attesting to which is a regular crowd of international and domestic tourists.
The busiest part of Shijo-dori is roughly between Karasuma-dori on the West (business and banking district) and Higashioji-dori on the East (gateway to the Yasaka Shrine). The bulk of shops is concentrated between Kawaramachi-dori and Karasuma-dori and includes some well-established department stores like Daimaru and Takashimaya, boutique shopping buildings Fujii Daimaru and Marui, along with everything else, from fashion to Kyoto-style clothing (Kimono) to small drug stores and retail shops selling teas, confections and dolls, to cafes to fast food and Japanese cuisine outlets, to everything else imaginable.
North of Kawaramachi Station there is a Book Off Plus which sells books, CDs, DVDs, as well as used clothing, plus carries a huge collection of Japanese anime figures, gundam, model trains, etc. The most interesting and less hectic part of Shijo Street is across the Kamo River and starting from the Shijo Bridge east to the Yasaka Shrine, featuring an array of shops selling traditional goods and modern products with a Japanese twist.
Tip:
Overall, this area seems more like an adult's paradise for couples and groups of friends, and less so for the kids to run around. An interesting look at modern-day Kyoto.
Make sure to look past the arcade at the side streets with narrow buildings that have been around since the 1960s. From Kawaramachi-dori to the east, the experience becomes more and more Japanese with food stalls and souvenir shops.
Shijo-dori is very long and very clean, with lots of sidewalks, lamps, signage, and even a small Yasaka Shrine at its eastern end, marking the entry point to Gion district. Originally quite narrow, it was expanded in 2015, making it much easier to walk through. Covered by awnings on both sides, the street is just a delight to stroll from one end to the other, even if not shopping, no matter if it's raining or scorching hot, attesting to which is a regular crowd of international and domestic tourists.
The busiest part of Shijo-dori is roughly between Karasuma-dori on the West (business and banking district) and Higashioji-dori on the East (gateway to the Yasaka Shrine). The bulk of shops is concentrated between Kawaramachi-dori and Karasuma-dori and includes some well-established department stores like Daimaru and Takashimaya, boutique shopping buildings Fujii Daimaru and Marui, along with everything else, from fashion to Kyoto-style clothing (Kimono) to small drug stores and retail shops selling teas, confections and dolls, to cafes to fast food and Japanese cuisine outlets, to everything else imaginable.
North of Kawaramachi Station there is a Book Off Plus which sells books, CDs, DVDs, as well as used clothing, plus carries a huge collection of Japanese anime figures, gundam, model trains, etc. The most interesting and less hectic part of Shijo Street is across the Kamo River and starting from the Shijo Bridge east to the Yasaka Shrine, featuring an array of shops selling traditional goods and modern products with a Japanese twist.
Tip:
Overall, this area seems more like an adult's paradise for couples and groups of friends, and less so for the kids to run around. An interesting look at modern-day Kyoto.
Make sure to look past the arcade at the side streets with narrow buildings that have been around since the 1960s. From Kawaramachi-dori to the east, the experience becomes more and more Japanese with food stalls and souvenir shops.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Shijo-dori Avenue on Map
Sight Name: Shijo-dori Avenue
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Kyoto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Higashiyama Walking Tour
Kyoto is a city catering for tourists, especially the ones with love of history, religion and, of course, Japanese culture. Many of Kyoto's attractions are located in the eastern part of the city, which itself is split into wards. One of them is the Higashiyama Ward, home to several famous temples of Kyoto, including centuries-old Zen and Shinto sites such as lantern-lit Yasaka shrine and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour
The cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is just as famous as a shopper’s paradise and is, without saying, the best place in the country to buy traditional and modern Japanese goods. Souvenirs, food, bargains and various “one-of-a-kind items” are all up for grabs here. If you would like to walk around Kyoto on your own two feet and enjoy shopping and authentic Japanese cooking, follow this... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour
The former capital of Japan, Kyoto is the city of tradition, history and culture. Attesting to this is the central part of the city, replete with historic attractions – centuries-old imperial palaces, castles and shrines that have seen a lot in the turbulent past of Kyoto. The explore the most prominent of them and to feel the breath of antiquity, follow this self-guided walk.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Gion District Walking Tour
Famed for being one of the most mesmerizing parts of Kyoto, Gion is the area long associated with traditional Japanese entertainment, stunning temples, geisha and local eateries ideal to while away a day in the ancient capital of Japan. The district forms part of the Higashiyama (“Eastern Mountain”) neighborhood lying north and south of Shijo Street, stretching from Yasaka Shrine in the east... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove Walking Tour
The Arashiyama district is slightly out of way for tourists – but that just means one can enjoy it more comfortably. While arguably the most popular attraction here is the 'bamboo path' with its magnificent, towering bamboos, you should also enjoy other scenic attractions such as the Ōi River and Mount Arashi, or the Monkey Park, all within walking distance and selected/described in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Walk on Philosopher's Path
Extending about 2 km along a canal carrying water from Lake Biwa to the foothills, the Philosopher's Path (so called because famed Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, used to walk it as a daily meditation before WWII) is perfect for a leisurely stroll with views that change through the seasons; cherries followed by new green leaves and, then again, the pastel hues of autumn.
It's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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