Entertainment Guide to Kyōto

Visiting temples and shrines is certainly the number one pastime in Kyoto, not only for tourists but also for local residents, who are truly enamored of the cultural riches of this enduring city. But there is much more to entertainment here than sightseeing. From live performances and exhibitions to sporting events, amusement centers and nightlife, you will find a full range of stimulating activities to keep you busy from dawn till dusk and well beyond.

If stage arts are your passion, you are in for some real treats in Kyoto. Here you will find colorful kabuki spectacles, stylized Noh drama, the craftsmanship of bunraku puppet theater, and the comedy of kyogen pantomime. You will delight to the eerie and otherworldly sounds of gagaku court music. Even the rituals of chado (the tea ceremony) can be highly entertaining. Fortunately, you do not have to travel all over the city to witness such an array of Japanese traditions. Just pay a visit to Gion Corner Theater in the heart of the city, where a sampling of these many performing arts can be seen twice daily from March through November.

But if you prefer your entertainment on the move, rather than viewed from a seat in an audience, you are also in luck. Perhaps no other city in Japan has such famous local festivals as Kyoto. These include the colorful imperial procession of the Aoi Matsuri in May, the parade of floats at the Gion Matsuri in July, and the huge bonfires of Daimonji Fire Festival in August. Each October, more than 2,000 people in period costumes take to Kyoto's streets in celebration of the "Festival of the Ages," or Jidai Matsuri, wending their way from the old Kyoto Imperial Palace to the spacious grounds of Heian Shrine.

For sports enthusiasts, opportunities also abound. The Japanese love baseball and soccer, golf, rugby, tennis and bowling, as well as such home-grown activities as sumo wrestling and judo. There are sports facilities at many locations around the city. There are also modern recreation and fitness centers where you can swim laps, lift weights, get a massage, or join in aerobics. And you may even wish to participate in local martial arts classes, where you can learn the self-defense techniques of karate, aikido or kendo (stick fighting).

As the sun sets and you begin to yearn for a healthy dose of nightlife, look no further than the Gion district and the downtown streets nearby. This is the traditional playground of aristocracy and the working class alike, where mizushobai, or the "water trade," has been practiced successfully for centuries--and still is! You will most certainly want to pay a visit to Pontocho Dori, opposite Gion and just west of the Kamo River. This long, narrow street is lined on both sides by bars and restaurants. It is a fun place to explore at night, and you will certainly want to pop into some of the more inviting spots, such as live house Taku Taku with its big-name bands and Switch Forum with its groovy 60s motif.

A word to the wise, however: Some of the buildings you will see here actually are geisha houses. Your curiosity may be piqued, but do not venture inside. Not only are they terribly expensive, they are usually off limits to non-Japanese visitors as well. But if you would like to see live geisha dances in Pontocho, without the high prices, they are performed at Kamogawa Odori at Pontocho Kaburencho every spring, and Sunrise Tours arranges nightly excursions to Gion that include a glimpse of the famed "Floating World."

For less traditional, more contemporary evening entertainment, take a stroll from Pontocho to parallel Kiyamachi Dori or perpendicular Kawaramachi Dori. These streets provide a lively collection of eateries and watering holes that offer all comers a convivial welcome. Drop in at Kyoto's newest Irish bar—K6, for a pint of Guinness, or settle in at sports bar Scoreboard to watch your favorite teams on television. Or for a night out Japanese-style, sit at the counter bar of a typical nomiya (drinking spot). After a long day of temple-hopping, there is perhaps nothing more relaxing than to sip sake (rice wine) and nibble otsumami ("pub grub") in the company of friends. And wherever you go, you will be among friends in Kyoto, one of the most hospitable and fascinating cities in the world.