Gion

Kyoto
Gion featuring 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 S$148 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
S$148
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 26 Mar,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 S$287 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$287
per night
21 Apr - 22 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! (410 reviews)
"Fantastic new hotel. Great staff. Super helpful."

Reviewed on 28 Mar,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 S$415 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
S$415
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! (738 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 18 Mar,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 S$246 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
S$246
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 22 Mar,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 S$352 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
S$352
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! (186 reviews)
"There’s nothing not to love about Kinoe! The staff are warm, welcoming and positively charming,. The facility is beautifully appointed and the room was spacious and lovely. We only stayed one night but from the moment we stepped inside it felt welcoming and comfortable. The staff were attentive and ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar,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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$205 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
S$205
per night
26 Apr - 27 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! (1,313 reviews)
"On the little quieter side of the city but still offered easy access to main transportation and lots of restaurants around."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,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(2 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(5 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

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
Nijo Castle which includes a garden and a pond

Central Kyoto

4.5/5(364 area reviews)

Travellers love Central Kyoto 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.

Central Kyoto
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

5/5(10 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