The soul of Kyoto’s nightlife is between Shijo and Sanjo Streets, sandwiched by the Kamogawa River to the east and Kawaramachi to the west. In Japan, everything is mixed together, so don’t be shocked or get worried if your preferred restaurant is next to a shiny brothel with hawkers loitering outside. That’s just the way Japan’s entertainment districts are – if anyone might find it entertaining, it’s there. And unlike other countries, such seedier shops come without the danger often associated with them. Japan is extremely safe. Your best bet is to wander the streets and find something that catches your eye. Don’t forget to look high, as many fine bars and clubs are on the upper floors of buildings, advertised by neon that runs down its side (with 4F meaning fourth floor, etc). A few places stand out from the crowd. Pontocho is a classic Japanese foot street just east of Kiyamachi, with numerous restaurants and bars that overlook the Kamogawa River. Picturesque by itself, you’ll find geiko wandering around along with tourists posing in the beautiful settings. You’ll also find all sorts of fabulous drinking establishments, including a few live jazz bars. |
| When everyone is kicked out of A Bar, many move on to the late-night spot Bar Ing, on the second floor of a tall building that overlooks Kiyamachi’s canal on the west. This is a classic rock bar where the hardcore get drunk and sloppy, but without the negative testosterone tension that Western bars sometimes produce. Bar Ing is open until the wee hours. |
| One of Kyoto's gems is A Bar (pronounced Ay Bar by foreigners, or Ah Bar by Japanese). Located just west of the canaled main drag of Kiyamachi, this popular hang-out for the young is behind the Asuka Bar, on the second floor of a building that houses a rotating array of trendy restaurants on the first. A Bar is so popular because, unlike most dining and bar experiences, the tables are long... |
| Dolly charges 900 yen to enter, and has live acts in a plush setting every weekend evening and some weeknights. |
| Club World is a classic dance club that has dj’s who run the gamut, from techno to disco to drum and bass to hip-hop. Check out their flyers to find out what’s playing that night. It’s located just north of Shijo Street on Kiyamachi. |
| Club Metro is one of the finest live scenes Kyoto boasts. Weekends are often too crowded to be pleasurable, but if they have an act that appeals on a weeknight you should check it out. The aptly-named Metro is in the Keihan Marutamachi train station, a bit out of the usual nightlife scene, but worth the trip. |
| The Stardust Club doesn’t always have live acts, but when they do, you have to go. There is no cover and the room is tiny – about 10 stools surround the bar. What that means is if an act is playing, you might have to duck the guitarist’s swings, but nothing beats live music you can literally touch. |
| If you want to see the way the locals live, you should check out one of the area’s many arcades. A great deal is the J.J. Club on Kawaramachi a few blocks south of Sanjo. A membership card costs 300 yen, but once you have that you can do anything inside their walls for 100 yen every 15 minutes. This includes soft-toss batting cages, a squash court, ping-pong, bowling, soccer, internet, saunas,... |
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