Gion

Kyoto

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


Gion Hotel Deals

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

4 out of 5
4-450-1 Gojobashi-Higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is NT$3,760 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
NT$3,760
NT$4,136 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,213 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 2025/8/8

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 NT$6,633 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
NT$6,633
NT$7,296 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
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! (950 reviews)
"Nice well-appointed hotel just on the border of the Gion area. Great breakfast and quite nice sentó hot bath."

Reviewed on 2025/8/9

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 NT$3,056 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
NT$3,056
NT$3,361 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,112 reviews)
"Hotel staff was friendly, kind and attentive. The hotel is super clean and the breakfast is delicious!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/7

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
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! (3,353 reviews)
"Onsen was amazing."

Reviewed on 2025/8/8

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 NT$2,822 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
NT$2,822
NT$3,569 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,616 reviews)
"Love this hotel! Second time i stayed at this hotel and had good service. This time was a bit different. They could not find my reservation for the luggage to be shipped and then when we checked in, they didn’t give us the breakfast tickets which was included when I made the reservation. Otherwise, ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/8

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 NT$1,763 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
NT$1,763
NT$1,939 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,765 reviews)
"Very clean and convenient"

Reviewed on 2025/8/9

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 neighborhoods around Gion

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

Higashiyama Ward

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Traditional-style buildings and protected status define this part of Kyoto, with entertainment in Gion near Yasaka Shrine. Must-see attractions include Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto National Museum, and Namikawa Cloisonne Museum.

Higashiyama Ward
Kenninji Temple featuring interior views, religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Komatsucho

5/5(8 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Komatsucho, Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street are top sights worth seeing.

Komatsucho
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 Three-Year Slope.

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 Rokakkudo Temple. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto

Gion