The busiest area is around Shijo Kawaramachi in the southeast of Nakagyo Ward, and there are Pontocho-dori Street which has traces of the Hanamachi (geisha districts) and Nishiki market in the neighborhood which is a shopping arcade.
区の南東部、四条河原町周辺は市内随一の繁華街で、花街の面影を残す先斗町（ぽんとちょう）通り、アーケード街の錦市場なども近くにある。