Kiyomizu dera temple to Pontocho alley

Dear all,

I intended to tour around Pontoncho alley in the evening after visiting Kiyomizu dera temple in Kyoto. The problem is the total distance is around 2KM from Kiyomizu dera temple. It would be a bit far by walking with kids.

Any advice? Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Roger

The slope goes down from Kiyomizudera, and it is an easy walk to the bus stops on the main road ("Higashioji Dori" on Google Maps).

2 km isn�ft that far and you could plan your itinerary to stop at some other places on the way for example Saninzaka, Ninnenzaka, Ryozen Kannon temple, Kodaiji temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion. If it is really an issue you will probably find a taxi waiting outside Kiyomizudera. If not download the �gGo taxi�h app and get a taxi that way.

I am sorry to say the bus from around Higsshiyama gojo mostly does not go to Pontocho area and they will be very crowded. There is a taxi stand close to Kiyomizudera, but it will also be very crowded.


You may better not end your day in Kiyomizudera, since there is no train station nearby. Nanzenji (or Eikando) is rather close to Keage station of Kyoto Metro and Shoren-in is close to Higashiyama station.

From these station you can take Kyoto metro to Sanjo-Keihan. You can walk or take Keihan line from Sanjo to Shijo.

If you plan to dine in a good restaurant in this season, please do research beforehand and book early. Restraunts can be very crowded so that you may not enter or may need to wait for a long time.

Get a taxi?

I am sorry to say the bus from around Higsshiyama gojo mostly does not go to Pontocho area and they will be very crowded.

It can spare them 1km, although I agree with Patrick that 2km is not that far, and there are some nice stops to make along the way.

You can go to Kiyomizumichi Bus Stop from Kiyomizu Temple and take Bus No.207 or 80, which is available every 10 minutes.
Then get off at Shijo Keihanmae Bus Stop and walk to Pontocho.

Having recently been to Kiyomizudera ,and walked from there to Kodaiji for the evening light up, the crowds in the local streets are truly ghastly and I would not recommend walking that way with children.
The suggestion re buses is OK, but buses can also be very crowded, so if you can I would get a taxi.
Pontoncho itself was also dreadfully crowded, far more so than on previous visits, but not as bad as around Kiyomizudera..
We found a lovely quiet restaurant on the 3rd floor of a building on the left of Pontoncho going North: well advertised at street level. It was quiet and looked over the River.

Taxi.
Don't even think about a bus.