Gion Kyoto: 6 Must-Visit Spots for your first visit

Gion is a city that is known as Kyoto's leading downtown area now and in the past. In one of the geisha district in Kyoto, maiko dressed in colorful kimonos can be seen at wooden Tatsumi bashi bridge, luxury restaurants and boutiques on Hanami Koji Street. In addition, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient town just by wandering around temples, shrines and even alleys. It is a popular area that is easily accessible from Kyoto Station so Gion is always crowded with many tourists both from Japan and overseas. It's a town full of highlights where you can enjoy gourmet, shopping, and of course sightseeing.

The main street of Gion, Hanami-koji street

Hanami-koji, which runs north-south through Shijo-dori in Kyoto city, is Gion's main street.
Gion is full of tourists every day, but when you enter the alley, there is a quiet space. In the streets lined with Japanese-style restaurants and luxury inns, you can feel the taste of Kyoto with your skin and eyes.
* Photo taking on private roads around Hanami-koji is prohibited from October 25, 2019. Please be careful when taking photos.

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is located in the center of the bright Gion town. It is a venerable shrine that was enshrined in Emperor Saimei (built in 656) and has been nicknamed Gion-san. The Gion Festival, held in July every year, is famous and is still visited by many worshipers throughout the year. There are four entrances on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine, and the main gate is the south tower gate facing Shimogawara Dori. Around the main gate, the town of Gion, which flourished as the temple town of Yasaka Shrine, spreads out, and is always full of energy. In the daytime, there are many visitors wearing kimonos so you can feel very Kyoto-like. The temple is for various benefits such as house security, marriage, prayer for success, business prosperity etc.

Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park was established as the first city park in 1886, the oldest in Kyoto. The grounds built using natural hills are "Chisenkaiyu style (style of garden that features a path around a pond), with a fountain located in the center. Around the pond, there are a restaurant, a coffee shop, a music hall that can accommodate 3,000 people, and Choraku-kan. Regardless of the season, it has been popular place for citizens to relax. Cherry blossom trees are in full bloom in spring.

Chion-in Temple

Chion-in Temple is the headquarters of the Jo-do sect. The highlight of Chion-in is its magnificent architecture. It is said that Chion-in began in the early Kamakura period as the founder of the Jo-do sect, Honen. The main gate was donated by Hidetada, the second general of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1621, and was revived by the third general Iemitsu. This gate is the largest in Japan among the existing gates. It is about 24 meters high and 50 meters wide.

Gion Shirakawa

Gion Shirakawa is one of the most atmospheric places in Gion and you can see the beautiful Kyoto-like sceneries such as the row of cherry blossom trees in spring, the harmony between River Shirakawa and Japanese architecture, and the Tatsumi Bridge, which is almost always the stage for suspense drama in Kyoto. Photo sessions of real maiko and geiko may be held, so if you want to enjoy the uniqueness of Kyoto, this is a recommended area you should definitely visit.

Kennin-ji Temple

Kennin-ji Temple, located at south of Shijo-dori, is a temple opened in 1202 by Eizai Zen Master, who introduced Zen and tea to Japan. Kennin-ji, one of the largest temples in Kyoto, has a vast site and it takes a certain amount of time to go around. It is also known for its attractive gardens and teahouses.

Here, you can see Japanese art, such as the "Fujin Raijin Figure Screen", a giant dragon drawn on the ceiling, a teahouse related to the Sengoku warlord, and a Zen garden. It's quiet, yet close to Hanami-koji, and it's a place where you can rest your heart in a relaxed atmosphere.

《Access》

By Train・・・Get off at Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway.
By Bus・・・From Kyoto station, take 206 bus and get off at Gion bus stop. It takes about 20 minutes, but it passes through Higashiyama Dori near Sanjusangendo and Kiyomizudera, so it is always crowded during the sightseeing season and it will take a little more time.