Gion (Geisha district), Kyoto

3 more images

Gion is famous as the geisha district. To experience the traditional Gion, stroll along the narrow streets lined with teahouses and restaurants. In the evenings, you might even spot a maiko - a geisha apprentice.

Yasaka Shrine and the Minamiza kabuki theater are some of Gion's other attractions.

Mini demonstrations of the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, court music, kyogen comedy, traditional Kyoto dance, and bunraku (puppet drama) are condensed into one flowing performance at Gion Corner twice nightly (7:40pm and 8:40pm) from March through November. Those pressed for time may find this the best use of a single evening (1 hour).

Personally, I find the bunraku very interesting. The puppet was brought to life by 3 skillful puppeteers (dressed and covered in black from head to toe). Usually, 3 puppeteers will handle 1 puppet, 1 controls the head, 1 controls the hands and 1 controls the legs. It was rather mersmerising as this kind of puppet shows have minimal "language barrier".

Just go for the experience if you do have have the luxury of staying long in Kyoto.

Fee : 3000 Yen

At Gion, you will see a lot of eateries and restaurants, from Japanese to Western to Chinese. In that area, there is a Gion Corner which is a preserved area with well-preserved traditional shophouses which are mainly high-end restaurants. More interestingly, Geishas and Maikos (apprentice Geishas) can be seen at Gion Corner.

When I was there, I remembered I peeped through a window (and other tourists as well) and saw Geishas/Maikos performing and serving their guests. One Japanese commented that we were lucky to have seen it as it costs a lot to engage them.

Extracted from web-link:
Gion was first developed as a town around Gion-jinja Shrine. In Edo Period (1603-1868) many theaters for Kabuki and playhouses for Ningyo-joruri were built. This district began as a Chaya (teahouse where maiko and geiko entertain their guests) quarter for the area of Gion Uchiroku-cho became a center of the theatrical and performing arts and developed into a 'Chaya-machi'. To this day the district is blessed with beautiful historic scenery including the Shirakawa River stone pavements cherry trees and rows of refined machiya (old Kyoto-style houses) dating from the late Edo Period (1603-1868) through early Meiji Period (1867-1912).

Geisha originates from Kyoto. Who are they? Geishas are dancers who have to go through rigourous training. Before they become professional, they are known as Maiko, i.e. apprentic Geisha.

NOTE : Geishas/Maikos are not prostitutes.

Geisha girls and women are trained in a number of traditional skills; Japanese ancient dance, singing, playing instruments (a three stringed instrument called shamisen is an essential instrument), flower arrangement, wearing kimono, tea ceremony, calligraphy, conversation, alcohol serving manners, and more. Geisha girls and women are talented Japanese women who patiently go through extensive training. Even after becoming a geisha girl, they keep improving their skills by taking many lessons.

Interestingly, their kimono and make-up is very elaborate. They are powdered white on their faces and their hairdo is uniquely "folded" like leaves. Their kimonos are usually "revealing" at the back of their neck.

When I was at the Gino Corner one evening, I was lucky to be able to peep into a traditional restaurant where Geishas/Maikos were performing. A Japanese passer-by told us that we were lucky to observe that and she also mentioned that a Maiko is usually very young and Geisha is generally older.

It is very expensive to engage a Geisha/Maiko. However, to catch a glimpse of them, just head towards the Gion Area and you will them there.

3 more images

Gion is famous as the geisha district. To experience the traditional Gion, stroll along the narrow streets lined with teahouses and restaurants. In the evenings, you might even spot a maiko - a geisha apprentice.

Yasaka Shrine is lit up and makes a great visit in the evening.

Gion is the city area of Kyoto known as the geisha area. In the middle age this area developed in front of the sanctuary of Yasaka in order to host the pelegrems.
Later it became the area of geishas, today, it's really hard to see one of the few left.
This is probably the best area of the town to see the old typical houses (machiya) and the ones of them that became tea houses (ochiya) where the geishas used to entertain the customers.

2 more images

Gion is one of the most surreal places I have visited. The best time to see any Geisha and Mako is around and just after sunset. Get there a little bit early and you can watch the crowds gathering with their cameras. At stages you feel a bit like a member of the Papparatzi. There is a sighting and everybody rushes to take photographs. Walk through some of the back alleys and you can see some Okiya. Later in the evening sit on the river bank near Shi jo staion. If you look in the buildings on the otherside of the river you can actually see Geisha at work serving tea.

2 more images

Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, and one of the city's most popular attractions. The district filled with ochaya (teahouses where geisha entertain), theaters, shops and restaurants.
Kyoto's other geisha districts are Pontocho and the Kamishichiken district.
The most popular area of Gion is along Hanami-koji street. A nice place to dine, the street is lined with preserved merchant houses which now serve as high-end restaurants.
Many people visit Gion hoping to catch a glimpse of a geisha or geisha apprentice (referred to as geiko and maiko respectively in Kyoto), and if you are lucky you may be able to see one in the evenings on their way to or from an engagement at an ochaya teahouse.
There's also cultural show held everyday at Gion Corner, an art center at the end of Hanami-koji. Aimed at foreign tourists, the show is a highly concentrated introduction to several traditional Japanese arts and include short performances of a tea ceremony, ikebana, bunraku, Kyogen comic plays and dances performed by real maiko. Alternatively, check out the Miyako Odori, held in April, featuring daily dance performances by maiko.