Known as Japan’s geisha district, Gion is home to many of Kyoto’s traditional arts and culture, including the iconic Yasaka Shrine.
A Shrine Steeped in Japanese History
Since its first iteration back in the year 650, the Yasaka Shrine (also known as “Gion Shrine”) has stood strong as a central place of Japanese cultural arts and performances in the way of Shintoism.
Today, it’s become a popular tourist destination that still holds strong many of its cultural traditions. Here are 5 awesome reasons to take a trip to Gion and visit the iconic Yasaka Shrine:
1. Enthusiastic Vibes
Firstly, I want to point out that tourists and crowds aren’t always a bad thing, despite popular contemporary belief.
When you understand that everyone visiting the Yasaka Shrine has the same purpose in mind as you, the distaste for these crowds turns into one of appreciation and a common love for Japanese culture and arts.
At night when Gion is at its busiest and most vibrant state, you can enjoy the happy vibes of visitors walking up and down the entrance to Yasaka Shrine and enjoying its amazing architecture.
2. Live Performances
Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be fortunate to see a live performance inside the Yasaka Shrine.
Typically taking place at the lantern-lit center stage, these performances include cultural dances, songs, and other theatrical demonstrations.
The performers can be seen wearing traditional outfits such as kimonos, kashimos (formal samurai dress), and in some cases, a full-on dragon costume!
3. Lantern Lit Ambiance
One of the unique things about Yasaka Shrine compared to other shrines in Japan is its excessive use of lit-up white lanterns.
As such, the best time to visit the shrine is in the dark hours of the night.
Walk through the Yasaka Shrine and enjoy the calligraphy of each lantern, representing the names of businesses that have donated to the shrine.
You will be sure to remember the peaceful ambiance of the Gion Shrine at night!
4. Cultural Parades
Another reason to visit the Yasaka Shrine is for the cultural parades that often take place in and around the shrine’s grounds.
One of the biggest annual festivals in all of Kyoto, if not all of Japan, is Gion Matsuri which takes place in the summer of July.
To “appease the gods,” the festival is full of performers in traditional attire marching the streets, playing traditional “taiko” drums, and chanting the “kon-chiki-chin” (a phrase that has no real meaning but is often used in such parades).
5. Possible Geisha Sighting!
When you’re up the stairs at Yasaka Shrine, you get an incredible view of the entire main street of Gion.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot a geisha or maiko (geisha in training)!
Just be sure to maintain respect and don’t get up all in their face trying to take a photo (particularly with the recent increase in tourist bans).
And that’s just another awesome reason to visit the Yasaka Shrine in the geisha district of Gion!
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