Pontocho Alley to Yasaka Shrine Walking Tour, Kyoto Japan – Summer 2025 – [4K HDR] With Captions

Pontocho Alley to Yasaka Shrine Walking Tour, Kyoto Japan – Summer 2025 – [4K HDR] With Captions

Walking Tour
Pontocho Alley to Yasaka Shrine Japan Japan – Kyoto Tour route Subscribe Like Kamo River – Gion (Kyoto)
Saturday, 26th July 2025 – 6:15PM, 84°F/29°C Donguri Bridge The bridge’s name and location appear on Kyoto’s mid‑Edo era maps from around 1709, confirming it as one of the city’s older river crossings. Pontocho Alley Pontocho dates back to the 1600s (Edo period) and grew as a riverside entertainment district along the Kamogawa River. Pontocho is one of Kyoto’s five official geisha (hanamachi) districts, where you can still see maiko (apprentice geisha) and geiko heading to evening engagements. Shijo Bridge Crossing Shijō Bridge is the symbolic entrance to Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, lined with teahouses and traditional restaurants. The bridge offers some of the best views of the Kamo River, especially at sunset when locals and tourists gather along the riverbanks. Shirakawa Canal Shirakawa Canal is one of Kyoto’s top spots for night strolls, with couples and photographers frequenting its narrow cobblestone lanes. Many of the buildings along the canal are preserved machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouses), helping to maintain the historic character of Gion. Yasaka Shrine Yasaka Shrine, founded in 656 AD, is one of Kyoto’s oldest and most important shrines. It’s famous for its bright vermillion torii and main dance stage, lit at night by hundreds of lanterns sponsored by local businesses. Unlike many shrines, Yasaka is always open, welcoming visitors day and night. Thanks for watching Subscribe
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Join me on this immersive Pontocho Alley to Yasaka Shrine walking tour in Kyoto, Japan (Summer 2025) filmed in stunning [4K HDR] with captions. This Kyoto walking video begins along the Kamo River near Donguri Bridge, where you’ll see locals relaxing by the riverside and enjoying restaurants that open directly onto the water. From there, we enter Pontocho Alley, one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric streets, famous for its narrow lantern-lit passageways, traditional teahouses, and riverside dining.

After exploring the unique charm of Pontocho, we cross the iconic Shijo Bridge, a bustling gateway that connects the historic district with central Kyoto. The walk then continues towards the peaceful Shirakawa Canal, lined with willow trees and classic machiya townhouses, creating a beautiful contrast to the lively riverbank. Finally, we arrive at the historic Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most important Shinto shrines, illuminated by hundreds of lanterns and steeped in centuries of tradition.

Whether you are planning a trip to Kyoto, reminiscing about your travels, or simply love immersive Japan walking tours, this video captures the authentic sights and sounds of Kyoto in summer. Relax, explore, and feel as though you are walking through Kyoto yourself. Captions available.

Chapters…
0:00 – Preview
1:31 – Tour route
2:07 – Donguri Bridge
16:55 – Pontocho Alley
27:41 – Shijo Bridge
33:51 – Shirakawa Canal
51:40 – End of tour (Yasaka Shrine)