Kyoto-kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Railway is considered the heart of sightseeing in Kyoto. Many well-known tourist attractions are gathered around the station. In this article, we introduce sightseeing spots within a 15-minute walk from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, categorized by walking time. If you want to enjoy Kyoto efficiently, be sure to use this as a guide.

Kyoto-kawaramachi Station is a Hankyu Railway station located underground in Shijo-Kawaramachi, the largest downtown shopping and entertainment district in the city. The surrounding area is lively, lined with department stores and fashion buildings, yet with just a short walk, you can also enjoy natural scenery such as the Kamogawa River.

From the Osaka area, the station is easily accessible via the Hankyu Kyoto Line with no transfers required. It takes about 43 minutes from Osaka-umeda Station by limited express train, making it extremely convenient. This makes Kyoto-kawaramachi Station an ideal starting point for sightseeing in Kyoto.

First, let’s start with spots you can easily visit within a 5-minute walk from the station.

The Kamogawa River flows just east of Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, and simply taking a stroll along the riverbank lets you experience Kyoto’s relaxed, traditional atmosphere. One iconic sight is couples and visitors sitting at regular intervals along the river, a scene that has become a symbol of Kyoto life.

From early summer to autumn (around May to October), kawadoko riverside dining platforms are set up along the river. Here, you can enjoy a slightly luxurious lunch or dinner while listening to the gentle sound of flowing water.

Access: About a 3-minute walk from Exit 1A

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Ponto-cho is a narrow, stone-paved alley located between the Kamogawa River and Kiyamachi Street. Traditional machiya-style restaurants line both sides, and in the evening, lanterns are lit to create a magical, atmospheric scene. You’ll find everything from classic Kyoto kappo and kaiseki restaurants to more casual bars, making it a great area for dining or enjoying a drink in a distinctly Kyoto setting.

Access: About a 4-minute walk from Exit 1A

Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a lively shopping street stretching about 400 meters, packed with shops selling fresh seafood, Kyoto vegetables, pickles, sweets, and more. It’s also famous for its street food, making it a bustling spot filled with visitors every day. At the end of the arcade, you’ll find Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, which is beloved as a shrine dedicated to the god of learning.

Access: About a 3-minute walk from Exit 9

This shopping area is especially popular with students on school trips and young visitors. Souvenir shops, fashion stores, cafés, and game centers line the street, and thanks to the covered arcade, you can enjoy shopping comfortably even on rainy days.

If you’re looking for a relaxing break in Teramachi Shopping Street, Kyoto Mameshiba Café is a fun stop. Inside a retro Showa-era–style setting, you can spend time with adorable mameshiba dogs.

Access: Immediately after exiting Exit 9

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If you walk a little farther, you’ll reach the Gion area, filled with classic Kyoto charm and atmosphere.

This is the main street running through the heart of Gion. Lined with stone pavement, traditional teahouses, and refined restaurants, it offers a scene that truly feels “so Kyoto.” If you’re lucky, you might even spot a maiko or geiko walking by.

Along the street, Gion Corner is a great stop for overseas visitors, where you can enjoy digest versions of traditional Japanese culture and performing arts such as Kyoto dance, the tea ceremony, and koto music.

Access: About a 7-minute walk from Exit 1B

Kennin-ji Temple is known as the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. Its three gardens—Daiō-en, Chōon-tei, and the modern ○△□Garden—offer different seasonal expressions that delight visitors throughout the year. The temple is also home to impressive works of art, including a high-quality reproduction of Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s masterpiece Wind and Thunder Gods Screen (a National Treasure) and the powerful Twin Dragons painting on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall.

Access: About a 10-minute walk from Exit 1B

Affectionately known as “Gion-san,” Yasaka Shrine is the head shrine of all Yasaka shrines across Japan. It is popular for blessings related to protection, matchmaking, and beauty (at Utsukushigozen Shrine). The bright vermilion West Gate is a classic photo spot, and since the shrine is open 24 hours, an evening visit is highly recommended.

Access: About a 10-minute walk from Exit 1B

This atmospheric area features willow-lined paths along the Shirakawa River and rows of traditional townhouses. Simply strolling along the stone-paved streets feels like stepping into a picture-perfect scene. Tucked away here is Tatsumi Daimyōjin Shrine, which is deeply revered by maiko and geiko who pray for success in the performing arts. Thanks to its beautiful scenery, the area is also frequently used as a filming location for dramas and movies.

Access: About a 7-minute walk from Exit 1A

If you continue walking a bit farther, you’ll come across shrines and temples known for their unique blessings.

This powerful shrine is famous for “cutting bad ties and forming good ones.” It is known for its unique En-kiri En-musubi Ishi (relationship-cutting and relationship-forming stone), a large stone with a hole in the center. Visitors pray while passing through the hole from front to back to sever unwanted relationships, then pass through from back to front to attract positive connections.

Access: About a 15-minute walk from Exit 1B

This temple is known as the birthplace of ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement). Its official name is Chōhō-ji, but it is commonly called Rokkaku-dō because the main hall has a hexagonal shape. Within the grounds, you’ll find the “Heso-ishi” (navel stone), believed to mark the former center of Kyoto. From the elevator of a neighboring building, you can even look down on the temple and clearly see the beautiful hexagonal roof from above.

Nearby, Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku is a popular café where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while viewing Rokkaku-dō through large glass windows.

Access: About a 15-minute walk from Exit 9

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Finally, here is some useful information to make your Kyoto sightseeing even more comfortable.

If you’re heading to attractions a little farther away, such as Kiyomizu-dera or Kinkaku-ji, taking a bus from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station is highly recommended. There are many bus stops around the station, making it easy to access major sightseeing spots throughout the city.

If you’re traveling with large luggage like suitcases, rather than searching for coin lockers at the often-crowded Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, a smarter option is to use the Hankyu Kyoto Tourist Information Center at Karasuma Station, one stop before. The center offers temporary luggage storage as well as luggage delivery services to hotels, helping you explore Kyoto hands-free and stress-free.

▼For more details▼

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Around Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, you’ll find plenty of fascinating spots that showcase the charm of Kyoto, all within walking distance. Use this article as a guide and enjoy exploring the city at your own pace.