Gion

Kyoto

Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes
Gion which includes a city and street scenes
Gion showing a house
Gion showing signage and night scenes
Gion featuring signage and night 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 characterised 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 theatre, 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
The price is €119 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€119
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (1,216 reviews)
Very nice modern stay
"I would highly recommend this hotel and would stay again. The room was very sleek clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly. The bakery in the lobby was a quick easy way to grab a quick tasty bite before going out for the day. Rooftop bar was very nice. It’s located near the more traditional ..."

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion

4.5 out of 5
572 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €210 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
€210
27 Aug - 28 Aug
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, free train station pick-up, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (951 reviews)
"Nice well-appointed hotel just on the border of the Gion area. Great breakfast and quite nice sentó hot bath."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

4 out of 5
44-1, Kamitonodacho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €97 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
€97
20 Aug - 21 Aug
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,113 reviews)
"Hotel staff was friendly, kind and attentive. The hotel is super clean and the breakfast is delicious!"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €87 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
€87
19 Aug - 20 Aug
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! (3,362 reviews)
"Really like this hotel From the start of entering until check out"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

4.5 out of 5
JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma Chuo-guchi, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundable
The price is €117 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
€117
28 Aug - 29 Aug
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,622 reviews)
"Hotel is a little dated but the room is clean and comfy. Love that it’s close to the train station and lots of shopping options."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Hotel Granvia Kyoto
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI

3 out of 5
44-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €56 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
€56
26 Aug - 27 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,768 reviews)
"Very clean and convenient"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
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 showing signage and a temple or place of worship

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 religious elements, a temple or place of worship and autumn colours

Komatsucho

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

Komatsucho
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring 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 showing a park, religious elements 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 Rokakkudo Temple, and you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Kyoto featuring mountains and a river or creek

Downtown Kyoto

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

Downtown Kyoto

Gion

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