I lived in Demachi (Mikagebashi) for about three years, and just moved to Higashiyama. Obviously parts of this area are overrun but I'm down an alley just east of the Shirakawa and it's lovely and quiet. I'm looking for any recommendations for places I might not know about in this area (basically east of Kawabata-dori, between Heian Jingu and Gion) – restaurants, cafes, shops, beauty spots etc.. I've spent some time around here over the years but I'm no expert.
Not expecting miracles – obviously tourists will clog most of them. But I've already made a couple of discoveries and I know there are more. Basically Demachi was nothing but places like that – local spots with little tourist traffic. Not as easy here, obviously, but it can't hurt to ask.
by Deeg67