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 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 ฿5,747 per night from 19 Sept to 20 Sept
฿5,747
฿6,322 total
19 Sept - 20 Sept
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! (1,239 reviews)
"Great facilities and staff. Really enjoyed the lobby which has a feeling of “community”. Bakery in the lobby was convenient and offers delicious food."

Reviewed on 22 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 ฿8,504 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
฿8,504
฿9,354 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free train station pick-up and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (954 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
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! (3,389 reviews)
"I am a westerner traveling in Japan and am so glad I stayed here and was able to experience the culture. It was a truly part of my trip and appreciated the bath house, nightly ramen and delicious breakfast. Thank you"

Reviewed on 23 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
The price is ฿4,401 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
฿4,401
฿5,568 total
10 Sept - 11 Sept
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,650 reviews)
"A peaceful oasis on top of the Kyoto trains station and 5 story mall."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Hearton Hotel Kyoto

Hearton Hotel Kyoto

3 out of 5
Oike-agaru, Higashinotoin St. Nakagyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ฿1,764 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
฿1,764
฿1,941 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"A very nice and well located hotel with easy access to many attractions via a nearby train station. Rooms are clean and very functional. Walking to the river is roughly a 15 minute walk and train stations are between 2 minutes and roughly 10 minutes. Overall, a fantastic hotel!"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
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 ฿4,170 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
฿4,170
฿4,587 total
26 Aug - 27 Aug
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,138 reviews)
Wonderful Hotel Steps from Kyoto Station
"Very comfortable stay next to Kyoto station. Across the street from a mall w/Don Quixote for easy shopping. Excellent service, front desk & housekeeping staff. Comfortable beverage lounge w/coffee & tea. Many food options close by, Coco Curry, Nakau, late night noodles, Family Mart & more. Last, ..."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
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 Three-Year Slope.

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 Rokakkudo Temple, 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 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 Travel Guide