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
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! (1,224 reviews)
"Great property. Everything felt new and looked great and clean. Wonderful bakery in the lobby for quick breakfast and coffee. There was also a restaurant on property but we didn’t try it. Rooftop bar was nice. Our room was great with plenty of room. The sink & vanity was out in the room which was ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 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 P13,620 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P13,620
P14,982 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (951 reviews)
"Nice well-appointed hotel just on the border of the Gion area. Great breakfast and quite nice sentó hot bath."

Reviewed on Aug 9, 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 P5,826 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P5,826
P6,409 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (1,122 reviews)
"Amazing hotel next to Tokyo station. Friendly staff and great breakfast selection. Will return."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 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! (3,362 reviews)
"Love, love this hotel. 5 minutes walk from the Kyoto station. Complementary lattes and matcha at the lobby. Breakfast selections were exceptional. The hot springs were amazing. The massage chairs were a great additions to end our day after all the walking. Complementary ice cream all day and late ..."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 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 P6,149 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,149
P7,778 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! (1,629 reviews)
"Fantastic location"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 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 P3,182 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P3,182
P3,500 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! (1,777 reviews)
"Definitely my favourite hotel in my stay at Japan. Very convenient 7/11 nearby. Relatively easy check in. Fairly spacious room with pretty decent amenities. Very close to station. Everything was comfortable. Great Internet access."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 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