Pontocho Kaburenjo
Pontocho Kaburenjo
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Neighborhood: Pontocho
Though small by comparison, Pontocho is one of Kyoto's most spirited and memorable neighborhoods. A narrow street straddling the Kamogawa River, it is Kyoto's busiest nightlife spot. When darkness falls, Pontocho's many signs and lanterns bolt to life, making the area glow with invitations to passers-by to come inside and pull up a chair. Its restaurants and bars sprawl onto the riverbank, providing a friendly atmosphere and delicious food. Verandas are always filled with people young and old crowding tables, biting into hot yakitori or sipping cold beers. It is a culinary heart of Kyoto as much as one of its most laid-back, clamorous, and entertaining evening hotspots. Pontocho has more of an amiable vibrancy to it than an elegant one, attracting newcomers, local veterans, and everyone in between, in casual attire like sneakers and jeans.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
57 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
24
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
2
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PablerasLogro_o
Logrono, Spain2,457 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This attraction is the Pontocho theater, however there are many opinions that refer to other things. Be careful when reading them.
In our case we had the option and luck of going to Kamogawa Odori.
It is something traditional, not exclusive for tourists. There were many Japanese, some of them in traditional costumes, but also many tourists.
The show included part theater and part geisha dance. They give you information in English so you can follow it a little. In any case, what was interesting for me was the costumes, the makeup, the way they act and the music that is live with traditional instruments.
With the entrance we acquired a prior tea ceremony. It was a scam. They passed the different groups at full speed, there was a lot of noise and movement while two geishas served a cup of tea from time to time. Don't waste time or money with this part, but the festival is highly recommended.
In our case we had the option and luck of going to Kamogawa Odori.
It is something traditional, not exclusive for tourists. There were many Japanese, some of them in traditional costumes, but also many tourists.
The show included part theater and part geisha dance. They give you information in English so you can follow it a little. In any case, what was interesting for me was the costumes, the makeup, the way they act and the music that is live with traditional instruments.
With the entrance we acquired a prior tea ceremony. It was a scam. They passed the different groups at full speed, there was a lot of noise and movement while two geishas served a cup of tea from time to time. Don't waste time or money with this part, but the festival is highly recommended.
Written May 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
お遍路さんアキラ
Kyoto, Japan23,550 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
This building was designed by Tokusaburo Kimura in 1927. It has a modern Art Deco exterior. The tiles used are Taishan tiles made in Kyoto. The onigawara tiles are also modeled after the dance figures of Kabuki actors.
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrWiz1944
Novi, MI193 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We could not miss seeing this show while in Kyoto. A true and elegant art form was performed by all individuals in the show. The women who performed on stage as well as all the women who played the traditional Japanese instruments did themselves and their country proud. They also provided a memory to us that will never be forgotten/
Do not miss this show when in Kyoto.
Do not miss this show when in Kyoto.
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Winstoniscute
Vacaville, CA126 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
I am not certain why the other reviewer was bored. I really enjoyed this performance. And, it was only 48.00, tickets through concierge at my hotel. It included two plays, parts were played by Geiko and Maiko. The theatrical performances were very enjoyable. At the end when the performers threw out the autographed cloths, I caught one...lol....I will say this. The tea ceremony was not living up to my expectations. One of my prime goals while in Japan was to participate in a tea ceremony. Well, the Geisha or Maiko doing the tea ceremony was not even visible to me where I was sitting, there were so many people in there. And, in order to accommodate the amount of people, we were rushed through, someone coming up to me and asking me to hurry and eat the sweet and drink the tea, so really, no tea ceremony. Even though we were first in line at theater, there was a group of Chinese tourists, being very rude, pushing their way past us, so as short as I am, we ended up way in the back. Could not even view what was happening. Also, as part of the package purchased at hotel, we were shown pictures as an exammple, and told using our own cameras, a picture taking opportunity would be given with Maiko. All we were supposed to do was to show staff at even bottom of our envelopes stating we had purchased this photo opportunity, and we would be taken to the correct room. Well, we showed the envelope to everyone we could, no one had ever heard of this, said no photo opportunities would be happening. I would attend this event again, it was so worthwhile. However, do not use it as your tea ceremony opportunity, and do not count on getting any photo with geiko or maiko. Too many people there, I think this would be too much for them. And really, what I got was well worth the price. But, because this is held only twice annually, locals and tourists alike want to go, so large crowds.
Written May 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YoungFemaleSingleCruiser
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Available only at certain times of the year, mainly around festivals, the 2 hour Geisha show is great. Start with traditional tea and a sweet dumpling, the head into the traditional theatre. The Geisha are so captivating with how they perform theatre and traditional dance. This experience is as rare as the Cherry Blossoms!
Theatre is set between a river and an enchanting laneway full of restaurants and bars.
Theatre is set between a river and an enchanting laneway full of restaurants and bars.
Written May 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
143april
California185 contributions
May 2019
Do not hesitate to book if you happen to visit Kyoto during their performance time period. You cannot take pictures of the performance so sit back and enjoy the history and dedication of these performers. Do pay for an audience with a geisha and tea ceremony. I found the performance incredibly moving, especially when you consider the dedication of each individual woman in the group. We thoroughly enjoyed the program and so happy we had the opportunity to visit.
Written May 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartijnBE
Mechelen, Belgium27 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We saw the Kamogawa Odori performance on Monday May 13, 2019. It will only run until May 24, three times a day. We got ordinary tickets (2300 yen/person) about 40 minutes before, but the 16:10 show was not sold out. We got seats sitting down Japanese style (taylor fashion) in a small box with cushion. The costumes are beautiful and the dancing graceful. You can buy a leaflet for 600 yen which includes a 2 page summary in English of the play.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Rob
Wenzhou, China813 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Ok its another Alley in Kyoto theres lots of them. This one is listed in the guides as a beautiful cobbled street. No its not. Its tarmaced and its basically lined on both sides with resturants touting for tourists business. The one we went in had a 500 surcharge per person and at least one drink rule before we even sat down. Some chicken skewers a tofu salad and two.beers cost us 5000. But on the upside the foid was tasty.
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowland45
Iowa City, IA390 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Every year each gisha "district" must put on a public show to entertain and educate the public. Their art is unusual and mysterious indeed. It is also beautiful and captivating. In May the gisha north of Gion were honor bound to put on a 3 week long show at this theatre. We wanted to learn and see more about the gisha after seeing a couple around Kyoto and hearing about them in hushed language all our lives. We found out about the show and our concierge told us how to get to the theatre box office to get tickets. We jumped in a cab, ran to the ticket office and were seated 2 minuets before the show began. I saw two other couples in the theatre who were not Asian. The show was spectacular. First a play, which we had to figure out ourselves as we do not speak Japanese, but loved the color, spectacle and music. The second half hour was all dance which was even more magical and colorful.
If ever you are in Kyoto in May go see this!
If ever you are in Kyoto in May go see this!
Written May 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cal_Travel_Lover
San Francisco, CA201 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
We were looking for an opportunity to see some sort of geisha dance and this was the perfect venue. Go quickly because it is finished on May 24! We found this listed in the lonely planet Japan book about entertainment in Kyoto. We booked the premier seats for $40 each (without tea) and walked right in for the 12:30 show. They also have a 2:30 and 4:30 show. Theater right on pontocho alley, set back from the street. All the instruments and parts (male and female) were played by women and was lot more interesting than we expected. We both enjoyed it a lot. If you want a little gyoza snack, try the fun little Chou Chou (see my review) just up from the theater along the canal street. If you want better gyoza, hop across to Ippudo (also in lonely planet) just behind Daimaru department store (see my review).
Written May 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I do not think so. There is no baby sitting room nor waiting.room.
I recommend to ask your hotel to care your baby.
Written May 22, 2018
Hi! Me and friend are very interested about this show. We would like to book in advance because we heard it's the Japanese holiday in May. We are only in Kyoto for a few days at the beginning of May. I've just tried to book on the phone with Skype but the person at the end of line spoke very little English and I don't speak Japanese at all. Does anyone have an email for this theatre? Their home page is all in Japanese ( understandably).
Thank you.
Written March 19, 2018
According to the Kaburenjyou home page, there is nothing English information.
I recommend to get ticket/information via tourist office, like JTB joy plaze where ready for English spoken visitor.
Written May 22, 2018
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