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The Furukawa-cho arcade (shotengai) is right at exit 1 of Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line of the Kyoto subway.

The arcade itself dates from 1963 but the shopping street goes back to the Edo Period and earlier, serving pilgrims on their way to Chion-in Temple, Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine to the south.

The recent explosion of foreign visitors to Kyoto has meant two former mansion (apartment) buildings and a traditional machiya townhouse on the arcade have been converted into guesthouses popular with Asian travelers from China, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore in particular.

These are Hostel Haruya Kyoto, Guesthouse Oki's Inn and Hotel Japaning Kyoto. The more upmarket Kyoto Miyabi Inn is just nearby on the banks of an attractive canal.
Furukawa-cho Shotengai has a mix of traditional shops selling fruit and vegetables, meat and household articles as well as a new craft beer bar, Beer Komachi and some excellent restaurants such as Kyogohan Nishimura, Furukawacho Manryo, Kyoto Nakasei Nikuzuki and Miyutei Kitchen.

You are guaranteed a friendly welcome as you stroll this traditional arcade (more so if you buy something or enter an eatery!)

Higashiyama Station is one stop east of Sanjo Keihan Station (the interchange station with the Keihan Line) and one stop west of Keage Station.

Higashiyama Station is located at the south west corner of the Okazaki museum district and this is the closest station to the area. It is about 10-15 minut...