gion/pontoncho or ochiyashima

We may have limited time in Kyoto as we need to return to Osaka at night, but will spend 2 nights in Kanazawa. Is there any advice please about the relative similarities/differences in these 2 areas. Many thanks

I am not completely sure what you are asking but... have just been in both Kyoto and Kanazawa and they so different it's quite hard to compare. Kanazawa is a really laid back and lovely place with the loveliest garden we visited in all of Japan (hope you get a sunny day for that) but it really does not compare with the wonders of Kyoto, the temples, the monasteries and the shopping! Yes Kanazawa has a lovely little preserved Geisha area but Kyoto Gion and the surrounds are so much more amazing and to add to it you have the wonderful Kiyomizu-dera temple above to walk up to (through the lovely cobble stone streets of shops) - Try to catch a sunset from there!!
But if you don't like crowds, Kanazawa is lovely too... and much quieter.

thanks kathy helps heaps: we have been to kyoto before, so agree it is a truly amazing place, but we've not been to gion or pontoncho, and as we are staying in osaka this time for family reasons we aren't sure if we can get to gion etc in the evening. SO the geisha area in kanazawa in worth visiting??? sounds delightful from your description, and we will be able to do that in an evening in kanazawa