Shijō Kawaramachi

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Takashimaya Department Store at southwest corner of the crossing

Shijō Kawaramachi (四条河原町, Shijō Kawaramachi^?) is a vibrant, if somewhat touristy, part of central Kyoto, Japan where Shijō and Kawaramachi Streets intersect. Kawaramachi Street runs parallel to the Kamo River on the eastern side of Kyoto whereas Shijō Street runs east-west through the center of the city.

[edit] Stores

Two of four corners of the intersection are occupied by department stores: Takashimaya at the southwest corner and Hankyu at the southeast corner.

[edit] Railway station

Kawaramachi Station is the terminal of the Hankyu Kyoto Line (Hankyu Railway) in Kyoto. The underground station lies beneath the Shijō Kawaramachi intersection. Passengers may change trains from Kawamachi Station to Keihan Shijō Station, which is located beyond the Kamo River.

The real estate around Kawaramachi station at one time ranked among the most valuable in Japan before the real estate bubble burst in the early '90s.

Currently, the station connects underground to department stores such as Takashimaya, which has an eclectic food market on its basement floor. The station also connects underground to Karasuma Station.