Gion Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Gion featuring night scenes, cycling and street scenes
Experience a traditional tea ceremony or a night of cultural entertainment within the historic wooden teahouses of this well-preserved Kyoto district.

Gion is a historic district in Kyoto, known for its geisha culture, wooden teahouses, shops and restaurants. Situated between the beautiful Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River, Gion is characterized by its historic teahouses, many of which have been transformed into boutique shops and fine-dining restaurants. Explore this district by day to shop for local items like candy, pickles and handmade souvenirs, or by night for a chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive geisha experience.

Begin your exploration of Gion in Hanamikoji Street, a strip with side alleys filled with preserved teahouses and traditional wooden façades. Shirakawa is another interesting area alongside the canal of the same name. This quiet canal-side district is near Shijo Avenue and has a selection of upscale restaurants and bars that look out onto the canal’s willow trees.

A good way to experience some of Gion’s cultural attractions is to see a show at Gion Corner. These foreigner-friendly shows demonstrate a selection of traditional Japanese arts, including tea ceremonies, puppet theater, flower arranging, dance performances and comedy plays.

Visitors with Japanese connections or a ticket with a tour company may be able to spend an evening in a traditional teahouse with entertainment lead by a geisha. Geishas, or Japanese hostesses, traditionally provide the evening’s drinks and performances of music and dance.

Gion is also the home of the Yasaka Shrine and its Gion Matsuri Festival, a popular festival that takes place every July at the famous Shinto shrine and other sites on the opposite banks of the Kamo River.

Reach Gion by bus from Kyoto Station within 20 minutes. You can also catch a train to Gion Shijo Station or Kawaramachi Station. Spend a day or two exploring Gion and its surrounding districts of Kiyomizudera and Higashiyama. A leisurely 30-minute walking route connects these areas via historic alleys and the Yasaka Shrine.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Gion Hotel Deals

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
4 out of 5
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$259 per night from 15 Dec to 16 Dec
AU$259
includes taxes & fees
15 Dec - 16 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (714 reviews)
"Nice property with good cafe and restaurant on site"

Reviewed on 13 Nov. 2024

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
4 out of 5
572 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$416 per night from 8 Dec to 9 Dec
AU$416
includes taxes & fees
8 Dec - 9 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (816 reviews)
"Perfect place to stay and enjoy Kyoto in a very efficient and confortable way."

Reviewed on 8 Nov. 2024

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
4 out of 5
27 Yamatocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$278 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
AU$278
includes taxes & fees
9 Dec - 10 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (943 reviews)
Will Return
"Friendliest staff I have ever encountered"

Reviewed on 9 Nov. 2024

Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Gion Ryokan Karaku
Gion Ryokan Karaku
3.5 out of 5
499 Minamigawa Gionmachi,Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$293 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
AU$293
includes taxes & fees
10 Dec - 11 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (165 reviews)
"Everything was as expected."

Reviewed on 17 Oct. 2024

Gion Ryokan Karaku
Kyoto Ryokan The Kinoe
Kyoto Ryokan The Kinoe
4 out of 5
44-8 Bishamon-cho, Higashioji-dori, Matsubara-agaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$333 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
AU$333
includes taxes & fees
10 Dec - 11 Dec
Stay at this 4-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a garden. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (254 reviews)
"Really cool ryokan, breakfasts were amazing."

Reviewed on 9 Nov. 2024

Kyoto Ryokan The Kinoe
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$187 per night from 11 Dec to 12 Dec
AU$187
includes taxes & fees
11 Dec - 12 Dec
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,355 reviews)
"Onsen was good."

Reviewed on 12 Nov. 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Gion

Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

5/5(9 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

Higashiyama Ward
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka showing street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

5/5(4 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the gardens and monuments in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka. You might want to make time for a stop at Kiyomizu Temple or Three-Year Slope.

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
Eikando Temple featuring religious aspects, a garden and a temple or place of worship

Okazaki

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Gardens and mountain views are highlights of Okazaki. Make a stop by Kyoto Municipal Zoo or Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Keage Station to get around town.

Okazaki
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Karasuma

Karasuma is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street, and you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
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Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Nishiki Market or Kawaramachi Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street are top sights in Nakagyo Ward, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station to see more sights in the area.

Nakagyo Ward

Gion Travel Guide

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