Pontocho Guides
Longer reads to go with your visit to Pontocho Park: where the district came from, how to get there, how to behave, what is on through the year, and where to walk next. Each guide lists its sources and the date it was last reviewed.
From Riverbed to Geisha District: A Short History of Pontocho
How a sandbar on the Kamo River became one of Kyoto's five geisha districts, and where the name may come from.
How to Get to Pontocho: Kyoto Station, Osaka and the Airports
Step-by-step routes from Kyoto Station, Osaka, both Kansai airports and Tokyo, plus luggage and taxi tips.
Etiquette in Pontocho: Visiting a Working Geisha District
How to behave in a working geisha district: photography, geiko and maiko, restaurants, reservations and charges.
Kamogawa Odori: Pontocho's May Dances
Pontocho's annual May performance by geiko and maiko: dates, seats, the tea ceremony and how to plan your visit.
Noryo-yuka: Summer Dining Over the Kamo River
Kyoto's summer dining platforms over the Kamo River: season, booking, what to expect and how to see them for free.
Walking the Kamo River: Routes from Pontocho
Three riverside walks from Pontocho, from a 20-minute evening loop to the stepping stones at the Kamo Delta.
The Takase River and Kiyamachi: Pontocho's Quieter Neighbour
The 400-year-old canal one street west of Pontocho, its historic boat basin, and a walk along Kiyamachi.
Near Pontocho: Ten Places Within a 15-Minute Walk
Ten sights within a short walk of the park, from Nishiki Market to Gion Shirakawa, with walking times.