Ganko Takasegawa Nijo-en, located in the northernmost part of Kamikiya-cho, has a majestic stone-wall-covered exterior. The garden was constructed around 1611 by the wealthy merchant Ryouchi Kadokura at the headwaters of the Takase River, and was later used as a villa by Aritomo Yamagata, the former leader of the Meiji Era. Later, Aritomo Yamagata, the former lord of the Meiji era, built it as his villa, and it has been passed down to other famous wealthy people such as Koichiro Kawada, the third Governor of the Bank of Japan. The garden is called Takasegawa-ryu-teien because water from the Misosogi-gawa River, an offshoot of the Kamo River that flows eastward, flows into a pond in the garden and empties into the Takase River.

Location/484-6 Higashi-Seishu-cho, Nijo-sagaru, Kiyamachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Access/4 min. walk from "Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae" subway station.

It is one of the registered tangible cultural properties that still preserves the beauty of a traditional Kyoto townhouse. It is also known as a long-established mizutaki restaurant, loved by Ryoma Sakamoto, a famous samurai in the closing days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In fact, the building itself has existed since before the establishment in 1788, with a history of about 270 years. Fittings, bamboo, karakami (Chinese paper), lacquer, dishes, hanging scrolls... Looking around once again, one can see that the tatami room is the crystallization of various craftsmen's skills. Sit on the tatami mats, look out over the river, taste the secret mizutaki, and feel the true luxury.

Location/136 Saito-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Kiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Access/5 min. walk from Hankyu "Kyoto Kawaramachi" station.

Although everyone in Kyoto is familiar with the Toka Naikan, surprisingly few people know that it was originally a beer restaurant, Yaomasa, when it was first completed in 1914. The building was designed by American architect William Merrell Vories. He designed many schools and churches, but few commercial facilities, and this is the only restaurant he built during his lifetime. This Spanish Baroque Western-style building, decorated with an eight-pointed star, botanical patterns, and geometric patterns, is designated as a registered tangible cultural property. In summer, the rooftop beer garden as well as the kawadoko (riverbeds) are a tradition.

Location/140-2 Saito-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Nishi-Ishigaki-Dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Access/4 min. walk from Hankyu "Kyoto Kawaramachi" station.