Gion Travel Guide

Kyoto

Gion showing cycling, night scenes and street scenes
Gion showing a city and street scenes
Gion featuring a house
Gion featuring signage and night scenes
Gion which includes 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


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
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (927 reviews)
"We had a great stay. We stayed in a double room on the 5th floor. Loved the rooftop bar. There was a vibe... nice mellow music, great views, drinks and small plate appetizers. It was a great way to end the night. Breakfast was really good. We had an earlier morning tour and the restaurant packages ..."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 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 ₹10,462 per night from 1 May to 2 May
₹10,462
₹12,659 total
includes taxes & fees
1 May - 2 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Pros: Great location! Close to everything… very convenience for tourist exploring Kyoto. Cons: I book a room for 4 people and realistic we only got a room with 2 twin beds, ideally for only 2 people. Very hot at night, property doesn’t have AC and upon request you can get a fan delivered to your ..."

Reviewed on 16 Mar 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 ₹23,159 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
₹23,159
₹25,950 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (209 reviews)
"Great location to tourist attractions. Most places are walkable."

Reviewed on 30 Mar 2025

Gion Ryokan Karaku
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,874 reviews)
"Enjoyed the hot spring and the excellent food. 10 mins walked to the kyoto station"

Reviewed on 1 Apr 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,798 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, clean and good breakfast options. Negatives: staff didn’t speak English well so we weren’t aware of all amenities that the hotel offers such as free snacks, juices, drinks, coffee, etc. Hower, the staffs are helpful fixing the aaC and overheated water in the room."

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
3 out of 5
80 Mikuracho, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,519 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
₹8,519
₹9,371 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street ...
9/10 Wonderful! (193 reviews)
"property has good foods and service, location is very convenient to public transportation, room is clean and updated, room size is adequate, overall staying exetpierce is satisfactory."

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2025

LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
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
Kenninji Temple featuring interior views, a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Komatsucho

While visiting Komatsucho, you might make a stop by sights like Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street.

Komatsucho
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 Hokanji Temple.

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 Murin-an 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
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Nishiki Market or Kawaramachi Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto

Gion Travel Guide