Gion District ‹_‰€
Gion is Kyoto's most famous traditional district. It owes its celebrity to its teahouses where geisha have been entertaining their wealthy customers for centuries.
Gion is located on the eastern bank of the Kamo-gawa River, on both sides of Shijo-dori Avenue as far as Maruyama Park
Crossing the bridge over the Kamo River on Shijo-dori, you will first set eyes on the Minami-za theater, Japan's oldest Kabuki theater.
Hanami-koji, perpendicular to Shijo-dori is where most of the 17th century wooden teahouses are to be found. Geisha or maiko sometimes wander through the streets during the day, but you will have more chances to see one between 5pm and 6:30pm, before they start working.
There are more old beautiful teahouses on Shirakawa Minami-dori and antique shops on Shinmonzen-dori, which both intersect Hanami-koji.
At the end of Shijo-dori, near the Yasaka-jinja Shrine, Gion Corner and Gion Kobu Kaburen-jo Theater have various traditional dances. The most famous are the Miyako Odori in April, where maiko perform dances in honour to the coming of Spring.
The area north of Shijo-dori is mostly modern, and not unlike the most exclusives of Ginza's hostess bar district. The rich and powerful come here in the evening and are greeted by hosts in tuxedo and geisha in kimono or hostesses in expensive evening dresses. You won't see much during daytime and at night you won't be allowed to entered any places without a high connection. The yakuza-like atmosphere will probably not make tourists feel very comfortable there anyway, so you could just skip it altogether.
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