Gion

Kyoto

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

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 RM530 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM530
RM583 total
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! (1,191 reviews)
"Nice 4 star hotel in a good location. The breakfast was basic but if included in room rate is adequate but go outside if not as not worth it. Would be nice to see some Japanese options. They had a bakery in ground floor but bread kept running out. Hotel has laundry washing machine facilities which ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM848 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
RM848
RM933 total
31 Jul - 1 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! (941 reviews)
"This was a beautiful hotel in a great location. Staff was very friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
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 RM249 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
RM249
RM273 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
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! (1,744 reviews)
"Had an entry in the lobby to go directly into a 7-11. Room was massive for a Japanese hotel. 2 minute walk from Kyoto station."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is RM442 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
RM442
RM486 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
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! (3,312 reviews)
"Love the hot spring!"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
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 RM431 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM431
RM474 total
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 helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,088 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel in a wonderful location. The front desk was very kind and helped us with information and with luggage dispatch to our next destination. The bedroom was really good and spacious. Three minute walk from Kyoto station, so it was good to arrive and leave with Shinkansen and also to move ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,159 reviews)
"Beautiful room with plenty of space, comfortable beds, and kind staff. We paid for breakfast and were given lunch as well. Plus, there is a nice club room with sofas, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks as a free service of the hotel. The Onsen is lovely after a long day. Easy access to train stations ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
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 which includes 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 featuring a small town or village and street scenes 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 temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a park

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
Kyōto which includes 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