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.


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Gion Hotel Deals

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥16,793 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥16,793
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,517 reviews)
Clean, comfortable and FUN
"Somehow this place managed to be large, yet very cozy! I can't say enough good things. Shoes locked up the duration of your time indoors. Everyone walking around in PJs provided by hotel. Free late night ramen (exactly when you need it!), free ice cream, coffee, tea and hot cocoa. Massage chairs! ..."

Reviewed on May 20, 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
4 out of 5
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥18,455 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥18,455
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
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! (482 reviews)
"Outstanding clean and comfortable property. Shower amazing. Staff very nice. Bakery incredible and good location"

Reviewed on May 19, 2024

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Kyoto Granbell Hotel
4 out of 5
27 Yamatocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥17,562 per night from May 29 to May 30
¥17,562
per night
May 29 - May 30
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (840 reviews)
"Lovely staff very helpful & friendly, hotel is in a great position near eateries & cafes. Beautiful to see the old Japan I really loved Kyoto & enjoyed our stay at Granbell. Would definitely recommend this hotel."

Reviewed on May 17, 2024

Kyoto Granbell Hotel
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
4 out of 5
572 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥33,704 per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
¥33,704
per night
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (757 reviews)
"Elegant hotel, very nice bath area."

Reviewed on May 20, 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 ¥23,541 per night from Jun 18 to Jun 19
¥23,541
per night
Jun 18 - Jun 19
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! (125 reviews)
"Four of us stayed for one night only at Gion Ryokan Karaku ( half board) The Kaiseki dinner was amazing! Beautiful presentation of food and staff were very attentive. The location of Gion Ryokan Karaku is very central. Just a couple of minutes away from Yatasa Shrine and an easy 15 minutes walk to ..."

Reviewed on May 19, 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 ¥25,310 per night from May 31 to Jun 1
¥25,310
per night
May 31 - Jun 1
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (203 reviews)
"The ryokan experience is great. Amazing food at dinner (served in your room) and breakfast in the restaurant. Onsen is on sight."

Reviewed on May 16, 2024

Kyoto Ryokan The Kinoe
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 neighborhoods around Gion

Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

4.5/5(29 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 which includes street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

5/5(17 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 showing religious aspects, a temple or place of worship and a garden

Okazaki

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

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
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Downtown Kyoto

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

Downtown Kyoto
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(52 area reviews)

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward 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.

Nakagyo Ward


Gion