NeighbourhoodsKyoto

Gion

Japanese name: 祇園

Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, lined with traditional machiya townhouses and teahouses. Evening walks along Hanamikoji Street offer the rare chance to glimpse a maiko or geiko in full traditional dress.

Opening hours: Streets open at all hours; restaurants and shops vary
Getting there: 5 min walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Main Line), or 8 min from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
Map: Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site: www.gion.or.jp ↗

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Tickets, stays & getting around

Tours, tickets & JR passesSkip-the-line tickets and day tours across Japan, usually cheaper than the gate price.Klook ↗Guided experiencesSmall-group and private experiences with free cancellation up to 24h before.GetYourGuide ↗Hotels & ryokanThe widest inventory in Japan, including small family-run ryokan.Booking.com ↗Budget stays in AsiaOften the cheapest for business hotels and capsule stays in Japan.Agoda ↗Japan eSIM — data in 2 minutesInstall before you land. No airport queue, no physical SIM swap.Airalo ↗Unlimited shinkansen travelWorth it if you do Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka or more in one trip.Japan Rail Pass ↗Spend yen without bank feesReal exchange rate card — Japan is still a cash-heavy country.Wise ↗Rakuten TravelDomestic-focused inventory, strong for onsen ryokan.楽天トラベル ↗

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