About 200m down the Kiyomizu-zaka to the right you will enter a nice area of
little shops, private residences and tea houses, which make you feel a nice and old air. The deeper you go into the area towards Gion and YasakaShrine the less crowded it becomes, as most of the people
are on their way to or from
Kiyomizu Temple. To walk slowly around this area is a fantastic way of sensing how Kyoto might have been in the past. Just have a look into the little tasteful court yards that belong to the houses along the narrow streets, which are usually cleverly and superbly done. Also the entrances to restaurants or tea houses are remarkable. They quietly welcome the passersby
and invite them to come in. Some of them can only be noticed at your second look, but be careful not to miss them - they are just neat...!