Gion and Hanamikoji

祇園・花見小路

Gion grew up as a town near the gate of Yasaka Shrine and is one of Kyoto's most popular areas. It is an entertainment district where geiko and maiko live, with streets lined with elegant tea houses, and Hanami-koji Street runs through it. Gion is also a place where people live their daily lives, so please follow the local rules listed below. Traditional dance performances are held daily at Gion Corner.

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Visitor information

Getting there: Keihan Gion-Shijo Station or the City Bus "Gion" stop, then about 7 minutes on foot to Hanamikoji Street.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Do not stop, touch, follow, or photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
Some side streets are private roads. Kyoto City has put up signs banning photography in, and entry into, private roads.
Breaking these rules can lead to fines under the law; for example, trespassing can be fined up to 100,000 yen and littering up to 30,000 yen.
The streets are not pedestrian-only. Hanamikoji has cars, so do not walk in the middle of the road.
Do not use tripods, touch the lanterns of tea houses, or lean on fences.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Do not stop, touch, follow, or photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
Do not enter temples, shrines or private property in the area (other than shops and roads) without permission.
Kyoto Kimono Rental Yumeyakata Gojo Shop, listed by Kyoto City as near Kiyomizu Temple, Gion and Higashiyama, offers a small prayer room (1–5 people) with a prayer mat and qibla direction; advance booking is preferred.
Plan your visit around prayer times, and carry a travel prayer mat and a qibla app.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kyoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.