There are 2 Shirakwa-dori Streets, because the Shira-kawa river takes a crank course in Gion and the street along the east-west running river between Higashioji-dori Street and Hanamikoji-dori Street is Shirakawa-kita-dori Street, while the street from Gion-shinbashi to Yamato-oji-dori Street is Shirakawa-minami-dori Street.
祇園での白川はクランク(道路)状に流れているため、東大路通と花見小路通間を東西に流れる白川沿いの通りが白川北通、祇園新橋から大和大路通までが白川南通に分かれている。