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Kyoto Gion District

Gion is a district of Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan, originating as an entertainment district in the Sengoku period, in front of Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine).

The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.

Gion is the Japanese translation (via Chinese Qiyuan) of the Buddhist term Jetavana. Yasaka Shrine, located in this district is the center of the Gion faith.

The geisha in Kyoto do not refer to themselves as geisha, instead using the local term 'geiko'. While the term geisha means "artist" or "person of the arts", the more direct term geiko means essentially "a woman of art".

Kyoto Gion District map.
Part of this district has been declared a national historical preservation district.

  • The City of Kyoto has undertaken a number of restorative projects to enhance the beauty and historical authenticity of Kyoto's hanamachi, such as relocating overhead utilities underground.
  • Since 1986, the city has removed electric poles from a number of popular tourist destinations such as Nene no Michi, Hanamikoji, and Pontocho.

Yasaka Shrine.
Yasaka Shrine (Yasaka-jinja), once called Gion Shrine (Gion-jinja), is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan.

  • Situated at the east end of Shijo-dori (Fourth Avenue), the shrine includes several buildings, including gates, a main hall and a stage.
  • The Yasaka shrine is dedicated to Susanoo in the tradition of the Gion faith as its chief kami, with his consort Kushinadahime on the east, and eight offspring deities (yahashira no mikogami) on the west.
  • See more at Yasaka Shrine - Wikipedia.

Hanamikoji Street

Ichiriki-tei Banquet hall.
Only vip customer are allowed in. Unless you have connections, don’t bother calling.


Patisserie Gion Sakai.
Beautiful and minimalist small patisserie in the heart of Gion. Selection of cakes available (perhaps 4-5 varieties) alongside hot drinks.


Hiroshima Banquet hall.
A classy building.


Sign on the floor.
Sign indicating the intersection between Hanami-koji Street and Aoyagi-Koji Street.


Odamoto cafe.
It's fun to have a drink while looking at the garden and talk with the geisha and maiko and the regulars.


Fourth Avenue (Shijo-dori)

Minamiza Theater.
Minami-za is the primary kabuki theatre in Kyoto, Japan.

  • It was founded in 1610 as Shijo Minami-za.
  • The current building, with a 1,086 seat capacity, was built in 1929.
  • See more at Minami-za - Wikipedia.

Izumo no Okuni statue.
Izumo no Okuni (born c. 1578; died c. 1613) was a Japanese entertainer and shrine maiden who is believed to have invented the theatrical art form of kabuki.

  • She is thought to have begun performing her new art style of kabuki (lit. 'the art of singing and dancing') theatre in the dry riverbed of the Kamo River in Kyoto.
  • Okuni's troupe quickly gained immense popularity, and were known for their performers, who were often lower-class women Okuni had recruited to act in her all-female theatre group.
  • See more at Izumo no Okuni - Wikipedia.

Pontocho District.
Ponto-cho is a hanamachi district in Kyoto, Japan, known for its geisha and maiko, and is home to many of the city's okiya and traditional tea houses.

  • Ponto-cho is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.
  • The name "Ponto-cho" is said to be a portmanteau of the Portuguese word "ponte" (bridge) and the Japanese word "-cho", meaning town, block or street.
  • See more at Ponto-chō - Wikipedia.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan