Gion Travel Guide

Kyoto
Gion showing a city and street scenes
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 Rp1.413.098 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
Rp1.413.098
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 their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (794 reviews)
"Very comfortable, tastefully decorated room. Storage space was on the small side but this didn't bother us too much. The breakfast is incredible, the array of different dishes to try and everything was very tasty. Loved having the bathing facilities too."

Reviewed on 27 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 Rp3.067.311 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
Rp3.067.311
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp4.357.152 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
Rp4.357.152
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up and on-site 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 Rp2.340.862 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
Rp2.340.862
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (113 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 Rp3.352.848 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
Rp3.352.848
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 their reviews. Popular attractions Kawaramachi ...
9/10 Wonderful! (184 reviews)
"Fantastic traditional Japanese hotel with great traditional Japanese breakfast. Wonderful hotel and staff. Highly recommend this hotel!"

Reviewed on 25 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
The price is Rp1.991.420 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
Rp1.991.420
per night
25 Apr - 26 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 their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,309 reviews)
"Welcoming Staff, absolutely stunning facilities and superb breakfast! Will definitely stay here again in the future!"

Reviewed on 25 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
Default Image

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 Travel Guide