Gion District Place guide

Where to See Kyoto’s Geishas

Located at the heart of Central Kyoto, Gion is known for being the entertainment and geisha quarter. It was originally a site for tea houses during the Edo Period, a time when two iconic forms of traditional Japanese entertainment — the kabuki and the geisha — emerged. By the mid-18th century the area was Kyoto’s largest pleasure district. 

Gion is now a shrine to Kyoto's cultural past: the streets are lit by traditional lanterns and lined with 17th-century wooden machiya houses that have been transformed into restaurants, shops, and other businesses. The district is packed with restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine, as well as temples, shrines and kabuki theaters. You can even have a traditional tea ceremony experiencewithin the charming neighbourhood. 

“Geisha Kyoto” in Gion have been the center of curiosity for many tourists, on the radar as one of the “must” things to do in Kyoto. The geisha or geiko, as they refer to themselves, are Japanese women who are highly trained in the arts of music, dance and entertaining. As expert hostesses, they entertain patrons of the tea houses by providing food and drink, engaging in light conversation, and performing traditional music and dance. 

Although it may seem like the ultimate Kyoto travel experience, services of geiko are quite expensive and exclusive. You might have to content yourself with glimpses of geiko and maiko (geisha in training) on the streets of Gion in the evenings. 

Keep in mind: there is a certain etiquette in engaging with geishas, so if you spot them, act respectfully.

Get around

The best way to experience Gion is with an evening stroll around the atmospheric streets, which feels like being transported back in time.