Gion

Kyoto

Gion which includes cycling, night scenes and street scenes
Gion which includes street scenes and a city
Gion which includes a house
Gion showing night scenes and signage
Gion featuring night scenes and signage

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Gion

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

4 out of 5
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P7,268 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P7,268
P7,995 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,206 reviews)
"Rent the bikes at the front of the hotel! Kyoto is a bike able city and this was amazing (cost was 2,000 yen/day. Room small by North American standards but efficient and nice. Bed very comfortable and bathroom nice. Had breakfast (25$ pp) buffet - was great. Strongly recommend buying coffee and ..."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

4.5 out of 5
572 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P13,290 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
P13,290
P14,620 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (944 reviews)
"Top notch all around. Highly recommend this hotel. Beautiful, peaceful, convenient, wonderful staff."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

4 out of 5
44-1, Kamitonodacho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P5,906 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,906
P6,497 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,099 reviews)
"Very wonderful experience during a short stay in Kyoto. I will book again soon."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
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! (3,339 reviews)
"It is an amazing option. The staff is really helpful and friendly. The amenities are really good. Food is excellent. A lot of welcome gifts. Truly an amazing option! Very good value for your money."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

4.5 out of 5
JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma Chuo-guchi, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P6,237 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,237
P7,889 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,606 reviews)
Wonderful location and service.
"Great choice of food for breakfast Little hard to navigate the hotel at first but get used to it quickly."

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Hotel Granvia Kyoto
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI

3 out of 5
44-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P3,408 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P3,408
P3,748 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,758 reviews)
Clean in good location
"Hotel staff was nice and helpful. Breakfast buffet was good. Room was a bit small, but not bad when compared to other Japanese hotels. Good location across the street from the train station."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
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 signage and a temple or place of worship

Higashiyama Ward

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
Kenninji Temple showing a temple or place of worship, autumn leaves and interior views

Komatsucho

If you're spending some time in Komatsucho, Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street are top sights worth seeing.

Komatsucho
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka which includes a small town or village and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

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 showing religious aspects, a park and a temple or place of worship

Okazaki

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

Okazaki
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Karasuma

Visitors to Karasuma love its popular shops, and you can check out Nishiki Market and Rokakkudo Temple. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Kyōto which includes mountains and a river or creek

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto

Gion