Gion, Kyoto

Name: Gion
Address: Kyoto, Japan

#172 among attractions in Kyoto

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Facts and practical information

Gion is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originating as an entertainment district in the Sengoku period, in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. Gion is the Japanese translation of the Buddhist term Jetavana. ()

Local name: 祇園 Coordinates: 35°0'13"N, 135°46'30"E

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Kyoto Japan

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Day trips

Gion – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Yasaka Shrine, Yasaka-no-to Pagoda, Kōdai-ji, Kennin-ji.

~900 ftE
Temple, Sacred and religious sites, Historical place
Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto
5 min walk • Yasaka Shrine, nestled in the heart of Kyoto, is a beacon of tradition and an enduring testament to Japan's spiritual heritage. This historic Shinto shrine, also known as Gion Shrine, is renowned for its stunning architecture and its pivotal role in the city's cultural...
0.4 miSE
Temple, Buddhist architecture
Yasaka-no-to Pagoda, Kyoto
11 min walk • The Yasaka-no-to Pagoda, also known as Yasaka Pagoda, is a quintessential piece of Kyoto's historic skyline. This five-story pagoda stands proudly in the city's Higashiyama district and is part of the Hokan-ji Temple, a Buddhist temple with a history that stretches...
0.4 miSE
Tranquil Buddhist temple with gardens
Kōdai-ji, Kyoto
10 min walk • Kōdai-ji, a serene Zen temple nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Japan, offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Founded in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro in memory of her late husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a prominent historical figure, the temple is a...
~1170 ftS
Buddhist temple with tea and a Zen garden
Kennin-ji, Kyoto
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Japan, Kennin-ji stands as a serene testament to the city's rich Buddhist heritage. As the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, this historical site offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling streets and a chance to immerse oneself in the...
0.6 miNE
Buddhist architecture, Temple, Sacred and religious sites
Shōren-in, Kyoto
15 min walk • Shōren-in, a serene oasis nestled in the bustling city of Kyoto, Japan, is a historic temple that offers a tranquil retreat from the urban pace. Known for its intimate connection with the imperial family and its role as a residence for high-ranking monks, Shōren-in...
0.5 miE
Grand circa-1618 Buddhist temple complex
Chion-in, Kyoto
12 min walk • Chion-in in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū founded by Hōnen, who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn in Amida Buddha's Western Paradise by reciting the nembutsu, Amida Buddha's name.
~1800 ftE
Urban park known for its cherry blossoms
Maruyama Park, Kyoto
9 min walk • Maruyama Park is a park in Kyoto, Japan. It is noted as the main center for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto, and can get extremely crowded at that time of year. The park's star attraction is a weeping cherry tree which becomes lit up at night. It also becomes busy in the New Year's Eve Festivals.
0.5 miSE
Buddhist architecture, Memorial, Sacred and religious sites
Ryōzen Kannon, Kyoto
12 min walk • The Ryōzen Kannon is a war memorial commemorating the dead of the Pacific War located in Eastern Kyoto. The concrete and steel statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara was built by Hirosuke Ishikawa and unveiled on 8 June 1955. The statue is 24 m high and weighs approximately 500 tons.
0.6 miSE
Street
Sannenzaka, Kyoto
16 min walk • Sannenzaka, or Sannen-zaka, is a stone-paved pedestrian road and tourist attraction in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The road is lined with traditional buildings and shops, and is often paired with the similar road, Ninenzaka.
~890 ftW
Theater, Concerts and shows
Minami-za, Kyoto
5 min walk • Minami-za is the primary kabuki theatre in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1610 as Shijō Minami-za. The current building, with a 1,086 seat capacity, was built in 1929.
0.6 miNW
Street
Sanjō Street, Kyoto
15 min walk • Sanjō Street（三条通さんじょうどおり sanjō dōri）is a major street that crosses the center of the city of Kyoto from east to west, running from Shinomiya in the Yamashina-ku ward to the vicinity of the Tenryū-ji in Arashiyama.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Gion?

Nearby attractions include Ichiriki Chaya, Kyoto (1 min walk), Shijō Street, Kyoto (3 min walk), Miyako-Odori, Kyoto (4 min walk), Minami-za, Kyoto (5 min walk).

How to get to Gion by public transport?

The nearest stations to Gion:

Bus

Gion • Lines: 100, 18 (4 min walk)
Shijo Keihan-mae • Lines: 16, 21, 23, 41, 43, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 京都岡崎ループ, 特16 (5 min walk)

Train

Gion-shijo (5 min walk)
Kyoto Kawaramachi (9 min walk)

Metro

Sanjo Keihan • Lines: T (11 min walk)
Higashiyama • Lines: T (13 min walk)