Gion Corner’s concept is innovative—a taste of seven of Japan’s major performing arts in just one hour. The show features flower arranging, koto (a stringed instrument) music, gagaku court music, a kyōgen comedy and bunraku puppet theater, but the highlight of the night is the Kyoto-style dance performed by maiko. It’s a rare chance to experience the exquisite dances and gorgeous costumes of these elusive entertainers who you would usually need the right personal connections to see. The theater doesn’t take reservations, so it’s recommended that you arrive early to secure seating, which is on a first-come-first-served basis. There is also standing room during the tourist season of March and April. 

Address

A five-minute walk from Gion Shijō station on the Keihan Main line

Performance

Starts at 6 pm and 7 pm (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays only from December until the second week of March)

Closed

July 16, August 16, and from December 29 to January 3

Admission fee

Adults 3,150 yen / Students (ages 16–22) 2,200 yen / Children (ages 7–15) 1,900 yen / Free for Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0–6)

Website

kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html

Experience the latest on Kyoto’s theater scene with Gear, the long-running production wowing people since 2012. Gear offers a unique non-verbal performance that combines mime, dance, magic, and juggling with the latest technology such as projection mapping. Set in an old, forgotten toy factory, the miraculous and moving drama follows the story of human-like robots and a doll. The atmosphere of the 90-year-old retro building that is home to the theater meshes perfectly with the story!

Address

A five-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusyo-mae station on the Kyoto City Subway Tōzai line
A five-minute walk from Sanjō station on the Keihan Main line or an eight-minute walk
from Kyoto Kawaramachi station on the Hankyū Kyoto line

Performance

Monday, Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays: 1 pm and 6 pm /
Wednesday and Friday: 2 pm and 7 pm *Schedules changes from April, 2020.

Admission fee

Advance tickets: Adults 4,800 yen / University Students and Seniors (ages 60 and over) 3,800 yen / Elementary,
Junior High, and High School Students 2,800 yen / Preschoolers (ages 4–6) 800 yen
*Children under the age of 4 are not allowed admittance except matinees on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, during which children of ages 6 and under are admitted free.

e-mail

info@gear.ac

Website

www.gear.ac/en

Part of Kyoto’s music scene for over 40 years, Takutaku is one the city’s iconic live houses. The venue is known for booking an impressive variety of acts from famous international guitarists to local indie bands. The dimly lit building is a 100-year-old converted sake brewhouse. It has a great atmosphere and walls covered in autographs that speak of the history of this legendary venue. You can turn up for a gig without a booking as long as tickets aren’t sold out, but just don’t come too late—because of the location in a residential area, live shows start around 6 or 7 pm and finish by 9.

Address

A five-minute walk from Shijō station on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma line, a five-minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi station on the Hankyū Kyoto line or a ten-minute walk from Gion Shijō station on the Keihan Main line

e-mail

takutaku@geisya.or.jp

Website

www.geisya.or.jp/~takutaku