Nishijin: the weaving district

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Nishijin Textile Center

   Start at the *Nishijin-ori Kaikan*. The weaving displays and the kimono shows downstairs are touristy; the point is the looms upstairs and the bolts of *nishi­jin-ori* (the district's brocade) you can run a hand over. Get your eye in here for the lanes.

   01

   Nishijin Textile Center

   Start at the *Nishijin-ori Kaikan*. The weaving displays and the kimono shows downstairs are touristy; the point is the looms upstairs and the bolts of *nishi­jin-ori* (the district's brocade) you can run a hand over. Get your eye in here for the lanes.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Daikoku-cho machiya lanes

   West into the residential grid — narrow streets of *machiya* (wooden townhouses), some still working weavers' houses with the lattice fronts and the slatted vents. Listen at the doorways; you can sometimes still hear a loom.

   02

   Daikoku-cho machiya lanes

   West into the residential grid — narrow streets of *machiya* (wooden townhouses), some still working weavers' houses with the lattice fronts and the slatted vents. Listen at the doorways; you can sometimes still hear a loom.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Seimei Shrine

   *Seimei-jinja*, dedicated to Abe no Seimei, the Heian court astronomer and diviner — pentagram crests everywhere, a well said to cure illness. Small, strange and very popular; come on a weekday afternoon to have it to yourself.

   03

   Seimei Shrine

   *Seimei-jinja*, dedicated to Abe no Seimei, the Heian court astronomer and diviner — pentagram crests everywhere, a well said to cure illness. Small, strange and very popular; come on a weekday afternoon to have it to yourself.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Horikawa-dori and the Modori bridge

   Cross *Horikawa-dori* at the *Modori-bashi*, the 'returning bridge' wrapped in legend. The willow-lined boulevard is the district's spine; the older craft streets sit on its quieter west side.

   04

   Horikawa-dori and the Modori bridge

   Cross *Horikawa-dori* at the *Modori-bashi*, the 'returning bridge' wrapped in legend. The willow-lined boulevard is the district's spine; the older craft streets sit on its quieter west side.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Orinasukan

   A weaving museum set in a former textile workshop on a back lane — looms in use, antique obi, the actual machinery of the trade. You don't have to go in; even the building, a tall timber workshop, tells the story from the street.

   05

   Orinasukan

   A weaving museum set in a former textile workshop on a back lane — looms in use, antique obi, the actual machinery of the trade. You don't have to go in; even the building, a tall timber workshop, tells the story from the street.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Shokoku-ji approach

   End by walking east toward *Shokoku-ji*, the great Zen temple complex that backs onto the palace park. The lane in is lined with pines and sub-temples; from here Marutamachi or Imadegawa subway is a short walk south.

   06

   Shokoku-ji approach

   End by walking east toward *Shokoku-ji*, the great Zen temple complex that backs onto the palace park. The lane in is lined with pines and sub-temples; from here Marutamachi or Imadegawa subway is a short walk south.

   ◉Street View