Gion's Geishas and Temples

Gion is a neighborhood in Kyoto that is renowned for being a geisha and entertainment district and is great for exploring on foot. On the eastern bank of the Kamogawa River, in Gion, you can find a unique taste of many Japanese traditions, from the elaborately costumed geishas to the beautifully preserved 17th-century restaurants and teahouses that give you a glimpse of old Japan.

Gion is renowned for its numerous beautiful temples and is centered on an area that includes Hanami-Koji Street, Shijo-dori Street, and the waterside promenades of Shirakawa Minami-dori Street. The Chion-in Temple and the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) from the fifteenth century are the most well-known of them. Gion is also a wonderful (and safe) place to enjoy a walking tour at night.

Address: Nishi Ten-o-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kansai 606-8341