Kyoto tourist traps, Ponto-cho

Many people, even some experienced travelers, are considering that a tourist trap is a place that should be avoided, a loss of time and money - but that's not true, in many cases, even if the place is unanimously defined as a "tourist trap", there are unique experiences to be had and enjoyed...

In my view, an attraction should be called a "tourist trap" when people are limiting their travel experiences to just these places, because of travel guides or media hype... You should not limit yourself to what these places are offering - you will lose the chance to live other great experiences.

Japan is one of the few countries in the world were you can eat anywhere, from festival stalls to the fanciest restaurants, and you don't have to worry about the food. You may need to worry about the price, though... (^_^)

From my experience, one of the over-hyped tourist traps in Kyoto is Ponto-chō: it is a truly remarkable spot to sample the feeling of the traditional Japanese streets... especially in the evening. But if you want to sample the Japanese cuisine... go a few streets away: the food will be cheaper and tastier, the atmosphere will be better and the staff friendlier...