Shirakawa Dori

Kyoto's Shirakawa Dori is perhaps the most beautiful street in the former capital. Located in Gion, one of the licensed geisha areas in Kyoto, it is a graceful and ancient street. Unlike much of modern Kyoto, which is full of clutter in the form of telephone poles and overhead wires, Shirakawa Dori ("white river street") is free of the wires. This affords a lovely view of the buildings and makes strolling a pleasure.