Gion

Geographical district
★ 4.9 (22K+ reviews) • 239K+ booked
Located between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River, Gion is the charming Geisha district of Kyoto. The district is filled with shops, restaurants, and teahouses where geiko (Kyoto lingo for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain guests. You'll find elegant townhouses, teahouses, traditional restaurants, and ancient temples and a Gion shrine embracing you in its historic charm. Plus, Gion Matsuri, Japan's most renowned festival, happens right here! Although the grandest events of the Gion Festival take place across the Kamo River, Gion remains the heart of Geisha culture and Kabuki, offering a glimpse into Kyoto's captivating past with Gion festival celebrations.
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Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan

The best of Gion

Bucket-list experiences

Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance

Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance

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★ 4.5 (68)
NZ$ 65.89
Kyoto Kimono Rental by Ookini Kimono Rental Yasaka Shrine Gion Store
From NZ$ 38.49
Kyoto Gion Night Walk Small Group Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hour
From NZ$ 81.29
Kimono rental experience (Kyoto/Kyoto Kimono Rei Gion Store)
From NZ$ 27.29
Gion Kimono Rental Experience (Kyoto Aiwafuku Gion Shijo Store)
From NZ$ 52.85
Kyoto Gion Memoirs of a Geisha Private Walking Tour

Kyoto Gion Memoirs of a Geisha Private Walking Tour

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★ 5.0 (9)
From NZ$ 84.99
Kyoto Higashiyama Gion Kimono & Photography Travel (Okimono House)
From NZ$ 48.05

Make it a getaway

Rinn Gion Kenninji

Rinn Gion Kenninji

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★ 4.6 (148)
From NZ$ 116.15
NZ$ 238.62
Rinn Gion Yasaka

Rinn Gion Yasaka

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★ 4.8 (14)
From NZ$ 178.6
NZ$ 295.9
Kyoto Gion Hotel

Kyoto Gion Hotel

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★ 5.0 (4)
From NZ$ 139.75
Minn Gion

Minn Gion

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★ 4.7 (94)
From NZ$ 160.49
NZ$ 208.71
Rinn Gion Shirakawa

Rinn Gion Shirakawa

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★ 4.8 (41)
From NZ$ 202.35
Laon Inn Gion Nawate

Laon Inn Gion Nawate

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★ 4.4 (112)
From NZ$ 88.94
NZ$ 89.83
Gion Elite Terrace

Gion Elite Terrace

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★ 4.8 (35)
From NZ$ 298.1
NZ$ 426.09
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

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★ 4.7 (785)
From NZ$ 313
NZ$ 413.04
Rinn Gion Hanatouro

Rinn Gion Hanatouro

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★ 5.0 (3)
From NZ$ 320.59
Gion Shinmonso

Gion Shinmonso

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★ 4.2 (61)
From NZ$ 228.2
Gion Misen Furumonzen

Gion Misen Furumonzen

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★ 4.6 (206)
From NZ$ 161.99
NZ$ 226.56
Gion Ryokan Karaku

Gion Ryokan Karaku

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★ 4.5 (154)
From NZ$ 244.16

Trouble-free transport

Randen Pass

Randen Pass

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★ 4.5 (754)
From NZ$ 7.65
Kyoto car hire | Choose from multiple car models
From NZ$ 77 /day
Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass

Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass

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★ 4.7 (63)
NZ$ 13.09

All that's good & tasty

Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion

Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion

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48-hour confirmation
★ 4.4 (74)
From NZ$ 84.05
Kyo Kurozakura in Kyoto Gion

Kyo Kurozakura in Kyoto Gion

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48-hour confirmation
★ 4.2 (61)
From NZ$ 79.09
Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist

Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist

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24-hour confirmation
★ 4.5 (421)
From NZ$ 59.09
Kurashita - Kaiseki in Kyoto, Gion

Kurashita - Kaiseki in Kyoto, Gion

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48-hour confirmation
★ 5.0 (1)
From NZ$ 93.75
Mokube in Gion - Michelin Starred Kaiseki

Mokube in Gion - Michelin Starred Kaiseki

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48-hour confirmation
★ 4.9 (29)
From NZ$ 333.99
Gion Nanba (祇園なん波) in Kyoto Gion - Michelin one Starred Kaiseki
From NZ$ 276.15
Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant

Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant

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48-hour confirmation
★ 4.6 (10)
From NZ$ 248.85
Gion Suetomo (祇園末友) in Higashiyama

Gion Suetomo (祇園末友) in Higashiyama

48-hour confirmation
★ 4.5 (19)
NZ$ 571.45
GION KYO-RYOURI HANASAKI NISHIKI - Kaiseki in Kyoto
From NZ$ 85.15
Tempura Endo Yasaka (天ぷら八坂圓堂)  Tempura in Gion Kyoto

Tempura Endo Yasaka (天ぷら八坂圓堂) Tempura in Gion Kyoto

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48-hour confirmation
★ 4.8 (11)
From NZ$ 123.35
Chihana (板前割烹 千花) Gion, Michelin 3-Starred Kappo in Kyoto
From NZ$ 141.89

Nearby places to go

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FAQs about Gion

What is Gion famous for?

What does Gion mean?

Is it worth visiting Gion?

Where is Gion?

Where can I see a geisha in Kyoto?

What to know before visiting Gion

What to do in Gion District, Kyoto

Hanami-koji Street

Hanami-koji Street, stretching from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple, is the most popular spot in Gion. This vibrant area offers upscale dining experiences in preserved machiya houses turned restaurants. Try Kyoto-style kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) and a variety of local and international dishes amidst the charming alleys.

Shirakawa area

Explore the scenic Shirakawa area in Gion, by the peaceful Shirakawa Canal next to Shijo Avenue. Willow trees, top-notch restaurants, and charming teahouses line the canal, offering a quieter vibe compared to the lively Hanami-koji Street.

Kyomai Dance

Experience the graceful Kyomai dance, a traditional Japanese art form inspired by noh theater and the imperial court. Watch maiko from Gion Kobu perform intricate movements in the elegant style of Kyoto's teahouse parlors.

Ochaya

Enjoy the exclusive delight of dining at an ochaya while maiko or geiko entertain you with conversation, drinks, games, and traditional dances. Meeting a geiko used to be rare and costly, but now, tourists with the budget can enjoy this experience through special packages offered by travel agencies and hotels. Some services are even tailored for foreign visitors without Japanese language skills.

Shijo Avenue

Shijo Avenue divides the charming Gion district and is a vibrant shopping hub. Here, you'll find a variety of stores offering local delights like sweets, pickles, and crafts.

Tips for Your Gion Visit

When is the best time to visit Gion?

The most enchanting times to visit Gion in Kyoto Prefecture are during the cherry blossom season in spring (April) and the autumn foliage season (November). These periods offer stunning natural scenery and coincide with major cultural events like the Miyako Odori and Gion Odori.

How to get to Gion?

Gion is easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest train station is Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line. Additionally, several bus routes serve the area at the Gion bus stop, making it convenient to reach Gion from various parts of Kyoto.

Reaching Gion from Kyoto Station is quite straightforward. You can take bus number 206, which takes about 20 minutes and costs 230 yen. Alternatively, you can use the train and get off at Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.

Is Gion closed to tourists?

No, Gion is not closed to tourists. Visitors are welcome to explore the beautiful streets, shops, tea houses, and cultural attractions of the Gion district in Kyoto. Enjoy the traditional Japanese architecture, savor local delicacies, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the elegant geisha and maiko while strolling through this historic neighborhood. Gion welcomes countless visitors eager to explore its rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere.