The street was once the major north-south thoroughfare, and steetcars (which were operated by Kyoto Electric Railway and later purchased by Kyoto City Trams) ran from Imadegawa-dori Street to Nijo-dori Street.
かつては南北方向の主要な通りの一つであり、今出川通から二条通にかけては京都電気鉄道（のちに買収され京都市電）の路面電車が走っていた。