Known for its ambient lanterns lined up along the street and geisha-themed decorations, Gion is a must-visit for embracing Japanese culture.
Gion is a special district in the heart of Kyoto that offers a unique experience of Japan’s cultural side by putting the spotlight on the theme of geisha.
Denoted by their snow-white makeup, traditional hairstyles, and kimono attire, geisha are symbols of Japanese cultural art, traditionally working as entertainers for wealthy people but are more attuned to theater performances and events nowadays.
Fascinating Restaurants
If you’re lucky, you will see a geisha or two walking down Shijo Avenue, the main street of Gion, during the night (but don’t count on it!).
Nevertheless, Gion retains a strong atmosphere that honors the geisha through themed restaurants, cafes, and street decorations.
This restaurant in particular features an abundance of traditional Japanese art displayed all over the walls inside and out, featuring mannequins of geisha and samurai as well as portraits of unique artworks, flags and banners of Japanese calligraphy, and paper lanterns at every corner.
Ambient Lanterns
Speaking of lanterns, the streets of Gion are lined up with beautiful ambient lanterns and geisha-themed banners from the beginning to the end.
Shijo Avenue, the most popular street of Gion, stretches from the Kamo River down to the Yasaka Shrine.
As such, it makes for the perfect segue to transition from your daytime activities around Kyoto’s Kamo River into the vibrant nightlife of Gion’s geisha district.
Amazing Feeds
Going back to the restaurant mentioned earlier, I can assure you the food served is just as delightful as the decorations!
The restaurant serves a dish called “Issen Yoshoku” which bears a striking resemblance to okonomiyaki, Japan’s savory pancake dish.
However, Issen Yoshoku (which is also seemingly the name of the restaurant), uses a thinner crepe-like wrapping for its ingredients.
The result is a delicious savory pancake with vegetables, seafood, running egg, and sweet sauce drizzled throughout the interior..
Authentic Sweets
At the very same restaurant, you can order a serving of sakura (cherry blossom) mochi among other desserts.
This sweet rice cake dessert has a beautiful flower-like scent, wrapped in edible vine leaves, and provides a refreshing taste.
Other popular sweets in Gion include Japanese dango and matcha green tea ice cream, both of which can also be ordered at this restaurant.
Don’t worry if you can’t get a seat here, because there are plenty of restaurants and cafes lined up along Shijo Avenue that serve the same authentic Japanese sweets!
Traditional Japanese Art
Indeed, authenticity is the name of the game at Gion, so why not head into a souvenir shop and take home a piece of Japanese culture with you?
There are many geisha-inspired artworks on sale at Gion’s souvenir shops, offering paintings, posters, clothing, accessories, and more!
It’s one thing to grab a poster of Mt. Fuji to take home with you (which every souvenir shop in Japan offers), but a truly authentic piece of Japanese cultural art is best purchased in the geisha district of Gion.
So whether you’re after authentic Japanese feeds, traditional artwork, or just want to experience a vibrant geisha-inspired nightlife, head on down to Shijo Avenue in Kyoto’s very own Gion district!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
