KYOTOTeramachi-kai Shopping Street
About us
About KYOTO Teramachi-kai
The Kyoto Teramachi-kai is a shopping street located in the heart of Kyoto (the west side of the City Hall between Nijo and Oike Street along the Teramachi Street).
A fascinating street preserving many aspects of Kyoto culture as well as the easily accessible location, it has been a popular district for tourist and locals.
Stroll among the historical and cultural sites or find unique shops right by the Imperial Palace. You surely will have a pleasant day!
History of KYOTO Teramachi-kai Shopping Street
There used to be a streetcar?
Almost all of Kyoto’s intersections, said to form a grid, meet at right angles.
For that reason, the great curved corner of Teramachi-Nijo stands out. This is a remnant of the streetcar that once ran here.
The streetcar began service in 1895 and transported the city’s residents around town until in the 1920s.
Like a museum with local history
Kyoto Teramachi-kai Shopping Street has various shops with own specialty.
The shopping street flourished as a focus of everyday life and a meeting place for local residents. Many spots along the street remind us of the good old days.
Don’t let shopping be all you do here. You will find all kinds of interesting things by looking about as you stroll this local street.
The Great Parts of Kyoto Teramachi-kai Shopping Street
The best view for the Gion and Jidai Festivals
One of Japan’s three great festivals, Gion Festival is held every year on 17 July, and, you can watch the main parade of decorative floats (Yamaboko Junko) up close from our location.
Teramachi Street, on which our Shopping Street is located, is important in the festival, for being a route along which two portable shrines (the Naka-goza and Nishi-goza) passing on the night at Yasaka Shrine, following the Miyamoto-gumi and Kuzechigo processions.
Special seats are located for close range viewing of the Jidai Festival as well as events held in front of the City Hall, such as flea markets and other seasonal events.
-
Gion Festival Parade of Decorative Floats
-
Mikoshi Togyo Procession of Shinko Ceremony at Gion Festival
-
Jidai Festival
-
Miyamoto-gumi and Kuzechigo Processions