Mapping Kyoto Streets

Sanjo-dori, 13 kilometers long from east to west, is an interesting, multifaceted street. The modern architecture along Sanjo-dori symbolizes Japan’s Westernization. While much remains from its long, rich history, something new is being added to this exciting district, each day. The shops lining the street produce goods with a modern, artistic twist using traditional methods. Here, we see the retro-modern side of Kyotoites, who do like the new, as well as the old.

Bustling with tourists year round, Higashioji-dori is an eight-kilometer street running north-south in Kyoto’s east with a university; historical shrines and temples; and a famous park for cherry blossoms - Japan’s unofficial national flower. The new and ancient temples along this street have magnificent art, stunning Japanese gardens, dazzling lacquer art, and many other impressive features. Discover a lucky shrine that makes unusual wishes come true. The delicious Japanese sweets and cute bags sold along here make good souvenirs. Enjoy this trip along Higashioji-dori.

Karasuma-dori is a 6.6 km street running north-south through Kyoto’s shopping and entertainment area. At first glance, it looks modern, but the past is woven into the crevices of this charming street. Karasuma-dori has been constantly changing its appearance since the beginning of the Heian Period, 1,200 years ago. Today, it is Kyoto’s business street with a commercial building where Kyoto’s tradition and the latest designs meld, a well-established shop that sells elegant incense, a temple where you can hear the dragon roar, and other unique spots waiting to be discovered. Enjoy this trip along Karasuma-dori.

Hanamikoji-dori is a one-kilometer long street passing north-south through the Gion entertainment district. Geiko and maiko go about their business on this glamorous street, lined with entertainment establishments. In contrast, a silence resonates deep within this dynamic atmosphere. The two faces of Kyoto - poised and resplendent - are concentrated, here, on Hanamikoji-dori.

Senbon-dori is a 17-kilometer street running north-south. This thoroughfare was constructed over the Heiankyo capital's main street, known as Suzaku-oji, 1,200 years ago. But that is not all that makes this street special. It has a public bath, popular temples, a soy sauce manufacturer and ordinary spots that fascinate visitors and locals. Let's map Senbon-dori with its everyday atmosphere that still bears cultural weight.

Nijo-dori, which runs 3.5 kilometers east-west, shows us various different faces of Kyoto. At the one end of the road is the Okazaki area, a concentration of modern Kyoto history. Along the way in various neighborhoods, we find craftsmen - traditional and modern - and many renovated Kyoto machiya-style townhouses. At the other end of the road is a World Heritage site showcases the dazzling prosperity of the Edo Period. Despite being a short street, Nijo-dori reveals much about Kyoto and shows the local's passion for preserving Kyoto's culture for future generations. Enjoy this trip along Nijo-dori.

Kamo-kaido runs about 7 km along the western banks of Kamo River from the north to the west. Two World Heritage sites wrapped in verdant nature - Shimogamo Jinja and Kamigamo Jinja - are located along this street. The history of these shrines is older than that of the ancient capital, Heiankyo, itself. Each shrine conducts rituals and ceremonies throughout the year. The most famous of these is the Aoi Matsuri held on May 15. The festival's highlight is the parade of more than 500 people dressed in splendid noble costumes worn during the Heian dynasty. The shrine environs also have much for visitors to enjoy, such as a famous restaurant serving Kyoto cuisine, botanical gardens, and a cafe where you can try your hand at pottery. Enjoy this trip along Kamo-kaido.

This time we're exploring Teramachi-dori, which runs north-south across the city just east of the old imperial palace. The street offers glimpses of traditional culture that is linked to temples. But there's also the chance of discovering something new.

Shijo-dori runs about seven kilometers east west through the heart of Kyoto. At the east end of the street is Yasaka Jinja, surrounded by the elegant Gion district graced by geikos and maikos. The shopping and entertainment district, west over Shijo Ohashi bridge, is the most colorful part of Kyoto with many boutiques and departments stores. Shijo-dori is one of Kyoto's busiest streets, but it is at its liveliest in the summer when the local residents deck the street and transform it to its most dazzling. Summer in Kyoto is also summer sweets, the noryoyuka along the Kamo River banks, and pike conger eel. But Gion Matsuri - one of Japan's three largest festivals - in July certainly turns up the heat. Shijo-dori becomes the focus of everyone's attention during this festival when the floats roll by. In this episode, we take a trip along Shijo-dori in its summer glory.

Built only 90 years ago, Kitaoji-dori is a 5.5 km street that still has many important historical sites, despite being a relatively new street. Kinukake-no-michi boasts three World Heritage temples - Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, and Ninnaji. This street is not to be overlooked when visiting Kyoto.

Muromachi-dori was the location of the Ashikaga Shogun residence and the administrative center during the Muromachi Period from the 14th to 16th centuries; hence, its name. This 8.1-kilometer street running north south through the city center was once Kyoto's main street. Many long established stores lining this street were purveyors to the Imperial Palace, located nearby. Muromachi-dori was also a wholesale district for quality textiles. The Kyotoites we meet along here are active in keeping this history of excellence alive for future generations. In this episode, we will introduce Kyoto dolls, which have their origins in court culture; the much-loved flavors of home cooking; and non-Japanese mastering the traditional performing arts. People along this street develop and improve Kyoto's centuries-old culture.

Marutamachi-dori, which cuts east west across Kyoto, ran along the south side of Chodoin, the administrative center of the Heian palace. Little of the buildings remain, but the street has many spots that evoke the Heian culture. At the western end of this 8.5-kilometer street, we find Arashiyama-Sagano, one of Kyoto's major tourist locations. This area was a secluded retreat for Heian aristocrats, and the fine mountains remain unchanged. Along Marutamachi-dori, we will visit a shop where you can try on a 12-layered kimono or other garments worn by aristocrats during the Heian Period. We also dine on the New Year's feast that only high-ranking nobles ate. Enjoy this trip along Marutamachi-dori and experience Heian dynastic culture.

Omiya-dori runs north-to-south for 10km through the center of Kyoto. The street got its name because it runs to the east of the Heian imperial palace, or omiya. Omiya-dori has long thrived as Kyoto's main street. Along this thoroughfare are some of Kyoto's most famous temples, including Toji, Nishi Hongan-ji, and Daitoku-ji, as well as many shops selling items of worship for the temples' followers and numerous workshops where artisans pursue their crafts with quiet passion. In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the people who make Omiya-dori part of the lifeblood of Kyoto, including the 1,200-year-old Kobo Market, the tasty confections that add a dash of sweetness to life, and the talented weavers of brightly colored Nishijin-ori fabric.

Kyoto consists of five distinct areas. In this special edition, we focus on two - Rakuto and Rakuchu - and introduce the sights to see. Rakuto is located in the central east of Kyoto. World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu-dera, and other famous temples dot the skirts of the mountains. The local entertainment area is lined with tea houses. We map this lively, major tourist area of Kyoto. Rakuchu in the heart of Kyoto is an area where we can feel what life in the city was once like. It has established businesses dealing in Kyoto specialties and artisans demonstrating their skill. We explore these two areas that are alive with the spirit of Kyoto and its people.

Unlike other streets featured on the program, in this episode we look at a street that runs north from central Kyoto all the way to the Japan Sea. Stretching 72 km from Kyoto to Obama in Fukui Prefecture, Kurama-kaido is Kyoto's main link to the sea. It has played an important role since ancient times transporting seafood and goods to the landlocked capital. We start our trip at Kuramaguchi, the origin, and travel the first 12 kilometers to Kurama-dera, from which the road gets its name.

Tetsugaku-no-michi, literally "Philosopher's Walk," runs about two kilometers between Nyakuoji-bashi and Ginkakuji-bashi. It lies beside a stretch of the Lake Biwa Canal that flows along the foot of the Higashiyama range. This paved promenade derived its name from the fact that philosopher Kitaro Nishida once contemplated and strolled along here. Now one of Kyoto's definitive promenades popular all year round, the area is particularly busy in spring with the cherry blossoms and in fall with the beautiful colors. Cafes, galleries, and shops selling delightful items are interspersed amid average homes. The shrines and temples add to the Kyoto-like atmosphere of this quiet area. In this episode, we promenade along Tetsugaku-no-michi where we will see a harmonious blend of man and nature.

Fushimi-kaido is an eight-kilometer road that runs south from the criss-crossed streets of Kyoto to Fushimi. In this episode, we go back over 1,200 years to a time before Kyoto was the capital and look at the history and the people of Fushimi-kaido over the centuries. With shrines, temples, sake breweries, and cruises, this interesting thoroughfare continues to attract visitors and pilgrims, today.