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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P18,713 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
P18,713
P20,584 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 6 - Apr 7
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! (877 reviews)
"We stayed six nights for our first trip to Japan. Beautiful location and we appreciated the discounted upgrade when it was offered on check-in. . Convenient location walkable to many sites. Great breakfast buffet and the very best bakery! Staff very helpful with great English; we speak no Japanese ..."

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion EXCELLENT
APA Hotel Kyoto Gion EXCELLENT
3 out of 5
555, Minamigawa, Gionmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P4,926 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P4,926
P5,960 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Loved this location, super close to everything and next door is Yasaka shrine. Only a 15 minute walk to Ninenzaka. Building is currently under construction so was a little hard to find in the beginning since the sign was covered. Was a little hot in the room, they only have heat and fan but when ..."

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2025

APA Hotel Kyoto Gion EXCELLENT
Gion Ryokan Karaku
Gion Ryokan Karaku
3.5 out of 5
499 Minamigawa Gionmachi,Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P10,666 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P10,666
P11,733 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (203 reviews)
"Very good experience. Worth a night there"

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2025

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 P11,611 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
P11,611
P14,049 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 17 - Mar 18
Stay at this 4-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a garden. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (282 reviews)
"Overall a very wonderful Ryokan expierence! We paid for both the dinner and breakfast, both of which were very sensible and delicious. I do believe that it is worth the extra added cost, especially the dinner, which is served in our room. The breakfast was served in a dining room on the 2nd floor, ..."

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2025

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 P6,065 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P6,065
P6,671 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
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! (2,789 reviews)
"We LOVED staying here! It was such a convenient location by the Kyoto station with it still having a more traditional vibe. They provide Pjs that you can walk around the whole hotel in without your shoes since you drop them off at the hotel entrance. The onset was really nice and there were so many ..."

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-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 helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,729 reviews)
"What an absolutely stunning hotel! Everything from the lobby, guest area to the room was so beautiful and calming. The room was genuinely spacious and not just by Japanese standards. The little guest lounge was so lovely after a long day of exploring, with its lovely complimentary snacks and drinks. ..."

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
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

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 featuring interior views, religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Komatsucho

If you're spending some time in Komatsucho, Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street are top sights worth seeing.

Komatsucho
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka which includes street scenes and a small town or village 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 Hokanji Temple.

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
Eikando Temple showing religious aspects, a temple or place of worship and a garden

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
Central Kyoto

Karasuma

Visitors to Karasuma love its popular shops, and you can check out Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Nishiki Market or Nijō Castle and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto

Gion