Gion is a popular neighbourhood of geishas and traditional wooden historic machiya houses.
The streets of Gion are located in the eastern part of Kyoto, which is known for its high concentration of shrines and temples. Gion connects seamlessly to another popular historic district , Higashiyama.
View the range of hotels in Gion
Gion's entertainment district of traditional teahouses and restaurants has been around for centuries and was one of the most common leisure spots for the wealthy nobility when Kyoto was the capital of Japan.
What geisha are and where to meet them in Kyoto are described in more detail in the What to do chapter.
Two areas of Gion
Gion is divided into two main areas.
Hanami-koji
The centre of the district is along Hanami-koji Street (see map), which is lined with traditional wooden houses. These usually house the ochaya, a traditional Japanese teahouse.
This area also has the most private alleys with houses where geisha (called "geiko" in Kyoto) and maiko (the name given to a geisha during her 5-year training) live.
It is around Hanami-koji that you have the best chance of seeing a real geisha or maiko, especially on Friday and Saturday in the early evening.
Remember that it is forbidden and extremely inappropriate to take photos of geisha on the street. You can be fined up to 10 000 jpy.
Since geishas are not commonly found in teahouses these days, your only option is to attend cultural performances at the Gion Corner Theater, located at the south end of Hanami-koji Street.
Shows featuring geishas and maiko are held every day at 6pm and 7pm and admission costs from 5 500 jpy. You always need to book online at kyoto-gioncorner.com.
There are also several shrines around Hanami-koji, the most notable of which are:
- Yasaka Shrine - a popular Shinto shrine dating from 656 between the Gion and Higashiyama districts.
- Kenninji Temple - one of the oldest Zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto
Shirakawa Canal
A much quieter part of Gion, it is located in several alleys along the man-made Shirakawa Water Canal (see map).
There are traditional ochaya teahouses and a few restaurants in this area.
Accommodation in Gion
The Gion area is a very good area to live in, as there is a large concentration of sights in eastern Kyoto and it is also easily accessible by bus routes.
However, accommodation prices here are significantly higher than in central Kyoto.
- Rinn Gion Kenninji *** - A standard hotel with good prices is located on the south side of Hanami-koji Street.
- Kyoto Gion Hotel **** - a budget hotel on the main street just a 5-minute walk from the centre of historic Gion
- Dhawa Yura Kyoto - Banyan Group ***** - one of Kyoto's most luxurious hotels is a 5-minute walk from the Shirakawa Canal near Sanjo Keihan subway station
How to get there
Gion is an easily accessible district from all parts of Kyoto.
Buses
Several bus routes run directly along the main street between Gion and Higashiyama.
Expect long lines at bus stops on the way to and from Kyoto Station in the evening from Gion, and you may wait more than 30 minutes for a free seat on the bus.
When travelling from Gion to central Kyoto, we recommend walking against the direction of the line to a bus stop where there won't be as many people waiting.
- Kyoto Station - lines EX100, 86, 106, 206
- Shijo Kawaramachi - lines 12, 46, 58, 106, 201, 203, 207
- Ginkakuji - lines EX100, 203
- Kinkakuji - lines 12, 204
- Nijo Castle - lines 12, 202
- Fushimi Inari-Taisha - lines 86, 106 and 206 to Nanajo Keihan-mae stop and then line 5
Railways
The Keihan railway line runs along the western edge of the district and the river, which you can use for a direct journey without changing direction:
Metro
The Sanjo Keihan Red Line subway station is located less than 1 km north of the Gion district.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Kyoto.
