Gion Evening Walking Tour, Kyoto
Overview
As the lanterns come on, Gion becomes the Kyoto of the imagination: wooden teahouses with bamboo blinds, stone lanes and the click of geta sandals. On this evening walk a local guide brings the district to life, explaining how the geiko and maiko of Kyoto train, work and entertain, and what really happens behind the teahouse doors.
You walk along Hanamikoji, Gion's best-known street, cross to the willow-lined Shirakawa canal and Tatsumi Bridge, pass the Minamiza kabuki theatre and finish at Yasaka Shrine, glowing with hundreds of paper lanterns.
Maiko are most often seen hurrying to appointments in the early evening, but sightings can't be promised. Please respect the local rules: no photos on private lanes and never stop a maiko.
Highlights
- Hanamikoji and its wooden teahouses
- Shirakawa canal and Tatsumi Bridge
- The world of geiko and maiko explained
- Lantern-lit Yasaka Shrine
- Evening walk with a local guide
What's included
- English-speaking local guide
- Evening walking tour of Gion
- Food and drinks
- Transport to the meeting point
Location
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Itinerary
Frequently asked questions
Maiko and geiko are sometimes seen in the early evening, but sightings can't be guaranteed.
It's a short taxi or bus ride, or about a 25-minute walk across the Kamo River.
