Gion District Kyoto

A district of Kyoto, Gion is famous for its geisha houses and traditional tea houses. The Gion district developed in and around the Yasaka shrine in the middle ages. Though the district is famous as a Geisha district, Geishas are a rare breed these days and not many Geisha or maikos (apprentice Geishas) can be seen here.

The district is bound on both sides by the Kamogawa River, and by the Sanjo-dori (3rd street) and Shijo-dori (4th street). The ancient form of Japanese drama, the Kabuki has its origin here, and there have been ochaya (teahouses) and Geishas here since the late 1500's. The narrow streets of Pontocho have many bars and riverside eateries while the western side of Gion is a veritable shopper's heaven with department stores and specialty shops that keep shopaholics occupied. Yasaka Shrine, popularly known as Gion-san, is on the eastern side of the district. The Gion festival that begins each July and the New Year celebrations are centered here and conducted with a lot of pomp and ceremony.

Things to see in Gion District:

Yasaka (Gion) Shrine: Near the eastern end of Shijo-dori (4th street) the Yasaka shrine is one of the very popular shrines in Kyoto. Also known as the Gion-san, it is dedicated to the Shinto deities Susa-no-o, his spouse Inadahime-no-Mikoto and their children. Susa-no-o is considered to be the god of medicine in the Shinto sect. During an epidemic in 869, thousands offered their prayers to Susa-no-o for relief from the disease. This is how the popular Gion Festival came in to being.

Gion Festival: The Gion Festival is over 1100 years old and is the most spectacular of the ceremonies conducted around the Yasaka Shrine. The festival begins July 2nd each year and continues for almost the entire month. It is a colorful and exciting festival involving parades, dances, floats festival carts and is said to be a whole lot of fun!.

Maruyama Koen or Garden: Directly adjacent to the Yasaka Shrine is Maruyama Koen or Garden (Round Mountain Park) which extends from the entrance of Yasaka Shrine to the hills and includes Mt. Maruyama. Maruyama Garden is the ideal place to enjoy a quiet walk and is stunning in during the momiji season. There is a shrine on the Maruyama peak, which can be reached after a short walk. The shrine though pretty is not of great importance. However it does offer a panoramic view of Kyoto.

Kyoto has two hanamachi (geisha districts) - Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi. Though the number of geisha in Gion has declined in the last hundred years, the Gion district is still famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment. Part of this district has been declared a national historical preservation district.

There is a popular misconception that Gion was a red-light area. Geishas are traditional entertainers who are trained in various arts including the art of conversation, pouring wines, ikebana, tea ceremonies, playing musical instruments and poetry and literature. Thus the Geisha district of Gion is anything but a red light area.

The Gion district provides an interesting selection of various traditional arts - from the tea ceremony to ancient court music. Other places to visit in Gion District are:-

- Nishiki-koji market
- Teramachi (the Temple district)
- Honno-ji temple
- Pontocho

Do drop in to Gion District and soak in the local colors!

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