Shijō Street

Shijō-dōri is one of Kyoto’s main arteries, a broad east–west avenue that functions both as a historic reference point and as the spine of the city center. Its name simply means “Fourth Avenue,” a reminder of the grid pattern laid out when the ancient capital was first planned. Today, the street links two very different landmarks: to the east, Yasaka Shrine, which marks the entrance to Gion and its traditional atmosphere, and to the west, Matsunoo Taisha Shrine, set in quieter, more residential surroundings. Every July, Shijō-dōri becomes one of the main stages of the Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most important festivals, when the great yamaboko floats—huge, richly decorated wooden structures—are pulled in procession along the avenue, filling it with color, music, and centuries-old ritual.