Kyoto streets

Gojo-zaka street, leading up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kimono-clad ladies at the top of  Gojo-zaka street

It was a busy weekend for temple-hopping in Kyoto.  The crowds were out in force despite some drizzles. Shops selling beautiful traditional crafts, including fans, ceramics and fabrics, were interspersed with candy shops and food vendors, including a stand that sold whole speared cucumbers marinating in pickle juice. At only 100 Yen ($1), the cucumber sticks were absolutely delicious.

Ben and Samuel in Ishibei-koji street

Shimbashi-dori street, fully lit

Our Lonely Planet guide directed us to two streets in our walks that it claimed were the "most beautiful street in Kyoto" (that would be Ishibei-koji) and "arguably, the most beautiful street in all of Asia" (that would be Shimbashi-dori).  Ishibei-koji was a street we almost missed, tucked off of one of the many pedestrian-only streets in Kyoto.  Ishibei-koji is more of a winding alley that leads to residences and a traditional Japanese hotel.  Ben and Sam stand right near the hotel.  Later that evening, we walked down Shimbashi in the Gion district (often referred to as "Geisha district").  It was brightly lit and jam packed with visitors raising cameras to the spectacular cherry blossoms overhead. The street was ringed with upmarket restaurants and shops. Not having seen every street in Asia, I can't say whether it was the most beautiful, but it certainly took my breath away.