8 Issues to do in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District 2023

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Mao Goto is a Japanese freelancer who was born in Hayama, Kanagawa prefecture, and raised in Tokyo. Since 2016 she lives within the Taito Ward, residence to a number of Japanese tradition hotspots equivalent to Asakusa, Akihabara, and Ueno. She has been within the discipline of English schooling in Japan and acquired her Grasp’s diploma in March 2020. A lover of images, journey, sweets, and cross-stitch. Contact her by way of Fb.

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Kyoto is usually seen because the tradition capital of Japan and is likely one of the most important vacationer hotspots, attracting each Japanese and worldwide vacationers yearly. Kyoto has a number of districts that deserve a particular point out. First on the checklist is Gion, a famend geisha district nestled in Kyoto Metropolis, the place guests can immerse themselves within the attract of conventional Japanese tradition by way of charming Geisha dances and Kabuki performances. Discover the attraction of Gion’s elegant streets and structure, adorned with enchanting shrines and temples you received’t need to overlook. On this article, we’ll information you thru Gion’s must-see highlights and really helpful actions for an unforgettable expertise!

What’s Gion?

The realm centering on Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama-ku, within the heart of Kyoto Metropolis, known as Gion and is likely one of the most tasty locations in Kyoto. The realm is residence to not solely teahouses and ryotei (Japanese-style eating places) but in addition many bars, and the rows of homes with lattice doorways give the world a way of fine old style magnificence and status. In case you are fortunate, it’s possible you’ll even see a maiko or geiko every so often, supplying you with a firsthand expertise of Japanese Hanamachi tradition.

Historical past of Gion

Initially Gion was shaped close to Yasaka Shrine, the city had existed because the Kamakura interval, however was burnt to the bottom throughout the Onin Conflict (応仁の乱). Nevertheless, with the restoration of the Gion-kai (祇園会, the predecessor of the Gion Pageant), the variety of guests to the shrine elevated, and in response, new sorts of companies equivalent to mizuchaya (tea outlets) and mizukimi (ladies who serve water) appeared, permitting Gion to flourish as soon as once more. At first, tea shops serving tea and dumplings had been the primary sort of enterprise, however they regularly reworked into the teahouses we all know right this moment as locations to get pleasure from sake, tune, dance, and music. Over the course of its historical past, Gion has undergone vital transformations, finally turning into a magnet for vacationers in search of a standard Japanese ambiance in Kyoto.

Methods to get to Gion

Listed below are two directions about tips on how to get from Kyoto Station to Gion.

Gion is comparatively simple to entry from Kyoto Station. Under are practice and bus instructions.

【Methods to get there by practice】

  1. First, take the JR Nara Line from JR Kyoto Station (takes about 2 minutes).
  2. Get off at Tofukuji Station. 
  3. From Tofukuji Station, switch to the Keihan Line (approx. 5 minutes).
  4.  Get off at Gion-Shijo Station and stroll instantly to Gion.

This practice route will price 300 yen.

【Methods to get there by bus】

1. Stroll from JR Kyoto Station to town bus cease “Kyoto Ekimae”. 

2. Take a bus from “Kyoto Ekimae” and head towards Gion (about 18 minutes). 

3. Get off at “Gion” and you may stroll instantly to Gion.

This bus route will price you 230 yen.

Utilizing these strategies, you’ll be able to simply entry Gion from Kyoto Station. 

Issues to do in Gion

Now that you realize some fundamental details about Gion, listed below are some really helpful actions and spots in Gion. In case you are planning to go to Gion sooner or later, please have a look!

See geisha (if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient)

Gion is a well-known space the place you’ll be able to see geiko and maiko. They’re dressed very in a different way. Geiko are modestly dressed and put on easy kimonos. Maiko, alternatively, are extra glamorous, usually adorn their hair with hairpins and put on brightly colored kimonos. Seeing a geisha or a maiko is solely as much as luck. By the way, maiko and geisha in Gion are touring round city on enterprise, so get pleasure from your sightseeing with out disturbing them.

Japan-Kyoto-Geisha

Tea ceremony/teahouse

In case you have come all the best way to Kyoto, you need to get pleasure from an genuine tea ceremony. Right here in Gion, there are numerous spots out there the place you’ll be able to style genuine Japanese tea and expertise the ceremonies. You possibly can simply e-book a working expertise on the Web, so we advocate reserving. Style scrumptious tea within the peaceable ambiance of Kyoto.

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is one other well-known website in Kyoto that has lengthy been often known as “Gion-san” and is called Gion’s head shrine. Yasaka Shrine is alleged to have quelled a plague that raged in Kyoto, and due to this origin, the shrine has attracted many devotees that search a spot to keep off dangerous luck. As Effectively as in search of happiness and stability. That includes lovely buildings and spacious grounds, a go to offers guests with a standard Shrine ambiance.

yasaka shrine

Official Web site: Yasaka Shrine

Minamiza Kabuki Theater

The Minami-za Theatre is Kyoto’s consultant Kabuki theatre. Its constructing has develop into a registered cultural property of Japan, and its historic worth is rising. The theatre hosts not solely kabuki but in addition a wide range of different performances all year long.

Kabuki theatre

Official Web site: Minamiza Kabuki Theater

Shijo Avenue

Shijo Avenue, a quintessential landmark of Kyoto, serves as the primary road that connects the sacred Yasaka Shrine within the east to Matsuo Taisha Shrine within the west. Past its charming cobblestone-paved path, Shijo Avenue bustles with life, providing a pleasant array of cafes and eating places the place one can savour the flavour of Kyoto’s famend culinary scene. Furthermore, the avenue boasts a vibrant buying scene with quite a few shops that promote conventional Kyoto-style souvenirs.

Shirakawa

Shirakawa-dori is a comparatively new road in Kyoto, lined with charming cafes, conventional tea homes, and artisan outlets, making it a pleasant mix of modernity and custom.  With the tranquil Shirakawa River flowing by its aspect, immerse your self in Kyoto’s essence as you stroll alongside this beautiful cobblestone-paved road.

Gion Matsuri

As July begins, Gion comes alive with pleasure. The Gion Pageant is held all through the month of July and options all kinds of occasions. The locals develop into enthusiastic throughout the competition, with floats and different extravagant shows of festivities.

kyoto gion matsuri
Corpse Reviver, CC BY 3.0, by way of Wikimedia Commons

Gion Excursions

If you wish to get pleasure from Gion from varied angles, we advocate utilizing a tour. You may make reservations on-line, and reserving is straightforward. We advocate you try our really helpful on-line excursions right here.

Advisable tour: Kyoto Meals and Drink Tour @Nishiki Avenue & Gion
This text has featured the points of interest of Gion, however have you ever discovered any spot in Gion that pursuits you? Gion is a particular place the place you’ll be able to expertise conventional Japanese tradition and historical past, in addition to get pleasure from scrumptious meals and purchasing for conventional crafts. Take a stroll by way of the streets of Gion and expertise the attraction of fine previous Japan.. Benefit from the traditions and great thing about Japan and create great recollections.

Japan Marvel Journey Excursions in Kyoto

If you end up visiting Kyoto and also you want some assist organizing your journey, you got here to the proper place. We’re pleased that can assist you make your journey to Kyoto the perfect journey ever. We will advise you on the place to go and even higher, present you round with a neighborhood, English talking information. Allow us to enable you create protected, snug, and unforgettable recollections in Kyoto!

Kyoto Non-public Full-Day Strolling Tour
On this full-day personal tour of Kyoto, it is possible for you to to see the highlights of Kyoto in simply sooner or later and on the identical time develop a deeper understanding of each the tradition of the world and Japan as an entire.

Whole Kyoto Expertise
If you happen to solely have a day or two in Kyoto, we provide a full-day tour of town, enabling you to immerse your self in and absolutely get pleasure from all the metropolis of Kyoto in simply 10 hours!

Kyoto Meals and Drink Tour @Nishiki Avenue & Gion
If you happen to’re seeking to be taught extra in regards to the tradition and the native delicacies of Kyoto, that is the proper tour for you! Participate on this Kyoto food and drinks tour and discover the 400-year-old market and the well-known Gion district.

Discover the Different Excursions

Tour Packages
If you wish to make journey simpler, we advise you look into tour packages.There are a variety of tour packages on the market to go well with the accomodate for every traveler wants. Click on the button under to search out the perfect tour package deal from varied Tour Operators!

Observe us on InstagramFbTwitter, and TikTok for extra journey inspiration. Or tag us to get featured!

Comfortable touring!

Keep knowledgeable of the perfect journey tricks to Japan, essentially the most thrilling issues to do and see, and the highest experiences to have with the Japan Marvel Journey Publication. As soon as each two weeks we’ll introduce you to our newest content material.

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