One of kyoto's old red light district,“Ponto-cho”is located between the kamogawa and kiyamachi-dori and the place to meet maiko geisha.
The exact origin of the word "Ponto-cho" is unknown, however it is believed to have come from the English word "point" or the Portuguse word "pont" as the area developed was on the west side of the river at the point of the sandbar.