Ponto-cho as an entertainment district started from the establishment of Chaya (Teahouse) and inns, and was already controlled repeatedly because geisha and shogi (prostitutes) came to reside here, but Ponto-cho was recognized as a place for migrant workers working at "Nijo Shinchi" in Kawabata Nijo, and became independent during the early Meiji period.
繁華街としては茶屋、旅籠などが置かれたのが始まりですでに芸妓、娼妓が居住するようになり何度も取り締られていたが川端二条にあった『二条新地』（にじょうしんち）の出稼ぎ地として認められ、明治初期に独立をした。