Shijō Street
Shijō Street (四条通, Shijō-dōri) runs center of Kyoto, Japan east to west through the commercial center of the city. Shijō literally means fourth street of Heian-kyō, the ancient capital.
Along the street
The eastern end of the street is Yasaka Shrine and the western end is Matsunoo Shrine. The street is particularly busy with pedestrians and traffic from the east end to Karasuma Street. The east end passes through the courtesan's district of Gion, with the historic street of Hanami Lane branching off to the south, with the famous Ichiriki Chaya at the corner. It then crosses the Kamo River at Shijō Bridge, and from there to Karasuma Street (Shijō Karasuma) the sidewalk is covered (except at major streets) and features several department stores, such as Daimaru and Marui. The center of this area is the intersection with Kawaramachi Street (Shijō Kawaramachi), a very busy shopping area.
The city of Kyoto has enforced a smoking ban on this street, on the busy section from Yasaka Shrine to Karasuma street, and in the surrounding districts.
