À voir & À faire
Gion＆Kiyomizu
À voir & À faire
Gion＆Kiyomizu
There are many historical temples in the Kiyomizu area such as World Heritage Sites Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple).Traditional industries such as Kyo-yaki・Kiyomizu-yaki (Kyoto pottery) have also developed here. You can enjoy shopping at many souvenir shops along the way to the temples and walking around some alleys. Gion area has developed as the town near the gate of Yasaka Shrine and the most popular entertainment district of Kyoto where Geiko and Maiko live. You can enjoy walking around streets lined with tasteful Ochaya (tea houses) and Japanese restaurants and also various cultures, food and shopping at some bars, cafes and general stores.
Sights
●Yasaka-Jinja Shrine・Maruyama Park
Yasaka Shrine is an old shrine which has a national treasure Honden (main shrine building) and also famous for answering prayers for matchmaking, driving away evil spirits, beauty and more. The adjacent Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto and famous for its beautiful weeping cherry trees.
https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/
●Hanami-koji Street～Kennin-ji Temple
Hanami-koji Street is the main street of Gion area lined with many tasteful houses. Nearby is Kennin-ji Temple, known as the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The temple has cultural assets such as “Fujin Raijin-zu byobu” (The folding screens of Wind God and Thunder God) and its unique gardens are among its attractions as well.
https://kyoto.travel/en/shrine_temple/255.html
●Chion-in Temple
Chion-in Temple boasts a vast complex of temple buildings such as Mieido (national treasure) and one of Japan’s largest gates, Sanmon gate. There is “Yūzen’en Garden” in the temple ground which is a little-known spot for autumn leaves. You can see a beautiful view of autumn leaves reflected on the pond there.
https://www.chion-in.or.jp/en/
Yasaka Shrine is an old shrine which has a national treasure Honden (main shrine building) and also famous for answering prayers for matchmaking, driving away evil spirits, beauty and more. The adjacent Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto and famous for its beautiful weeping cherry trees.
https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/
●Hanami-koji Street～Kennin-ji Temple
Hanami-koji Street is the main street of Gion area lined with many tasteful houses. Nearby is Kennin-ji Temple, known as the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The temple has cultural assets such as “Fujin Raijin-zu byobu” (The folding screens of Wind God and Thunder God) and its unique gardens are among its attractions as well.
https://kyoto.travel/en/shrine_temple/255.html
●Chion-in Temple
Chion-in Temple boasts a vast complex of temple buildings such as Mieido (national treasure) and one of Japan’s largest gates, Sanmon gate. There is “Yūzen’en Garden” in the temple ground which is a little-known spot for autumn leaves. You can see a beautiful view of autumn leaves reflected on the pond there.
https://www.chion-in.or.jp/en/
Events
●Miyako Odori
The dance performance held in April by Gion Kobu area’s Geiko and Maiko at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater.
https://miyako-odori.jp/english/
●Gion Matsuri Festival
The festival of Yasaka Shrine held in July famous for the highlights of festival car parades on the 17th and 24th of the month.
https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/gion_matsuri.html
●Gion Odori
The dance performance held in November by Gion Higashi area’s Geiko and Maiko at Gion Kaikan theater.
https://www.gionhigashi.com/gion.html
●Joya-no-Kane
An event of bell ringing out the old year starts late at night of December 31st at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple and Choraku-ji Temple (Numbered ticket needed). Allowed to just watch at Chion-in Temple・Reservation required.
The dance performance held in April by Gion Kobu area’s Geiko and Maiko at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater.
https://miyako-odori.jp/english/
●Gion Matsuri Festival
The festival of Yasaka Shrine held in July famous for the highlights of festival car parades on the 17th and 24th of the month.
https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/gion_matsuri.html
●Gion Odori
The dance performance held in November by Gion Higashi area’s Geiko and Maiko at Gion Kaikan theater.
https://www.gionhigashi.com/gion.html
●Joya-no-Kane
An event of bell ringing out the old year starts late at night of December 31st at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple and Choraku-ji Temple (Numbered ticket needed). Allowed to just watch at Chion-in Temple・Reservation required.
Tips
When you encounter Maiko and Geiko in the city, please keep a certain distance and try not to stop them or take a photo because they are on their way to work. If you want to take a photo of them, please use a special photography plan at Gion corner.
Congestion Forecast Data＆Live Streaming（Gion＆Kiyomizu）
https://global.kyoto.travel/en/comfort/gion-kiyomizu/
Congestion Forecast Data＆Live Streaming（Gion＆Kiyomizu）
https://global.kyoto.travel/en/comfort/gion-kiyomizu/
[Note]
The Gion Area is one of Kyoto's most popular destinations.
It is well known as an area where you can encounter Maiko, but taking pictures of them without permission is one of Kyoto's big "Don'ts."
Hanami-koji Street has cars passing through, so make sure to avoid walking in the center of the road.