The Shirakawa River is one of Kyoto’s main rivers and flows from the Heian Shrine all the way to northern Gion.
Sitting a meer five minute walk from the keihan Gion Shijo Station, the street of Shirakawa Minami is maybe the best place in Kyoto to see the city’s magnificent traditional machiya townhouses as they sit right on the edge of the tranquil little canal.
Continuing to walk north through this area, you’ll come across the Chion-in Temple, which offers an entirely different atmosphere and scenery.
Along the way, you’ll also notice narrow stone bridges at regular intervals down the river. These have been built here so that residents of the area can cross the river as they please.
If you continue to walk north from the Chion-in Temple, you’ll come across the Higashiyama Subway Station. Keep following the river past the station for a few minutes and you’ll be greeted by the monolithic torii gate of the Heian Shrine.