Gion

Kyoto
Gion which includes street scenes and a city
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

Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
3.5 out of 5
27 Yamatocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,220 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
P5,220
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (793 reviews)
"Great and easy stay. We were able to drop our luggage off early and by the time we checked in, our luggage was already in our room. It is a small room, but most hotel rooms in Japan are small. We were still able to lay down two carry-on luggages on the floor. The staff are great and helpful. The ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
4 out of 5
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P10,874 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
P10,874
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (407 reviews)
"Everything was perfect and the stage especially front desk was very nice and helpful"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 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 P16,186 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
P16,186
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (739 reviews)
"This hotel was a real gem. A very Japanese feel to it. The breakfast was out of this world and as it was buffet style it suited me perfectly with my allergies. All ingredients that could have affected me were written beside the dishes. It was a very tasty breakfast. I indulged in the tempura dinner ..."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Gion Ryokan Karaku
Gion Ryokan Karaku
3.5 out of 5
499 Minamigawa Gionmachi,Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P7,810 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
P7,810
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (119 reviews)
"We had an amazing experience at the Ryokan Karaku. The room was big and in excellent conditions, breakfast was superb and the staff was super attentive. Walking distance from Gion and Ponto-chō. Definitely recommended."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 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 P12,298 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
P12,298
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 4-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Kawaramachi ...
9/10 Wonderful! (185 reviews)
"Fantastic traditional Japanese hotel with great traditional Japanese breakfast. Wonderful hotel and staff. Highly recommend this hotel!"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 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 P7,357 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
P7,357
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,317 reviews)
"Convenience to dining and public transportation. The optional buffet style breakfast was exceptional which is a huge plus. Cute decor here and there which mixes traditional and modern nuances are nice touches. I booked with an impression that the hotel might have been around for awhile since it has ..."

Reviewed on Mar 28, 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

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 which includes street scenes and a small town or village 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 temple or place of worship and a garden

Okazaki

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
Central Kyoto

Karasuma

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

Karasuma
Nijo Castle showing a park and a pond

Central Kyoto

5/5(12 area reviews)

Central Kyoto is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station.

Central Kyoto
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street.

Nakagyo Ward

Gion