Furukawacho Shopping Street
Gion, Kyoto
Furukawacho is a covered shopping street of about 40 shops over 220 metres, running south from Sanjo-dori on the line of the old Wakasa road, the route that brought mackerel from the Sea of Japan. It's known as the Nishiki of the east, and it was once called eastern Kyoto's kitchen. The arcade went up in 1972, and about 1,000 pastel paper lanterns hang from it now.
Insider tip
Exit 2 of Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line comes out right beside it. The autumn lantern festival on 24 October 2026 runs 11:00 to 17:00, with a Halloween parade, a bread fair and a handmade market.
What's on at Furukawacho Shopping Street
Upcoming events at Furukawacho Shopping Street and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Autumn Lantern Festival at Furukawacho Shopping Street
古川町商店街 2026年秋のランタン祭り
The shopping street's autumn lantern festival. A children's maker space runs the same day at Shirakawa Life Academia.
Simiwiki55, CC BY-SA 4.0 Theatre Noh Kyoto Performance (53rd)
第五十三回 テアトル・ノウ 京都公演
Time 12:30 to about 16:30 (doors 11:30) Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), exit 1, about 5 min walk
Noh Yashima and Sesshoseki with the kyogen Konbu-uri and a shimai, hosted by Theatre Noh at Kyoto Kanze Kaikan.
Imagine Noh 4: Legends and Laughter on Stage
IMAGINE NOH ④
Time 17:30 Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), exit 1, about 5 min walk
A performance for overseas visitors pairing the kyogen Kaki-yamabushi with the noh Kokaji, run by the Kyoto City Tourism Association and Discover Noh in Kyoto.
Enter Noh Day 3: Masked Stage Art of Japan
ENTER NOH Day３
Time 19:00 (backstage tour from 17:00) Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), exit 1, about 5 min walk
A noh performance of Funa Benkei for overseas visitors with English commentary by Julia Yamane, hosted by the Kyoto Kanze Society.
Denshou no Kai (Young Performers' Noh Programme)
伝承の会
Time 13:00 to about 16:00 (doors 12:30) Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), exit 1, about 5 min walk
A programme by younger performers with the kyogen Bo Shibari and the noh Kagetsu, plus two maibayashi dances.
Live music nearby
Nearby
Around Gion
The teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Gion grew up as the town at the gate of Yasaka Shrine, and it's still where Kyoto's geiko and maiko live and work. Gion Kobu, the largest of the city's five geiko districts, keeps its teahouses along Hanamikoji-dori, and the Shirakawa canal runs through Gion Shinbashi to the north. Go early for the shrine and the temples behind it. Come back at dusk for the streets.
Gion has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 6 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 4 neighbourhoods, 3 cafes, 2 landmarks, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Gion guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Furukawacho Shopping Street?
- The nearest station is Higashiyama (Tozai Line). Furukawacho Shopping Street is in Gion, Kyoto.
- How much does Furukawacho Shopping Street cost?
- Nothing. Furukawacho Shopping Street is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Furukawacho Shopping Street?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Furukawacho Shopping Street?
- Late morning.
Stay near Furukawacho Shopping Street
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