Gion, also known as the geisha district, is a popular tourist spot in Kyoto City. The main attraction of this area is Hanami-koji street which still has a lot of traditional wooden houses. These houses now function as restaurants, teahouses (ocha-ya) where guests are entertained by geiko or maiko, which you'll hardly find anywhere else. A short walk through the Gion district with a glimpse of traditional Japan and a visit to a teahouse should be on the top of your list when visiting Kyoto.
- 1 min read
Kyoto's Gion District
Street art, architecture and kimonos
![Komal Khiani Komal Khiani](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/2578/240x240!/565e87e567ba810c868b6f5d.jpg)
By Komal Khiani
Community writer
![A walk through the Gion district](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77353/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77353.jpg)
A walk through the Gion district
![A glimpse of traditional Kyoto](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77352/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77352.jpg)
A glimpse of traditional Kyoto
![Kimonos and shopping](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77346/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77346.jpg)
Kimonos and shopping
![Art is all around you; street art is very prominent in Kyoto.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77347/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77347.jpg)
Art is all around you; street art is very prominent in Kyoto.
![Hanami-koji street](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77348/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77348.jpg)
Hanami-koji street
![Wooden machiya (old merchant houses)](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77349/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77349.jpg)
Wooden machiya (old merchant houses)
![Traditional wooden doors](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77350/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77350.jpg)
Traditional wooden doors
![Ochaya (teahouse) where the guests at tea ceremonies are entertained by geiko and maiko](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77351/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77351.jpg)
Ochaya (teahouse) where the guests at tea ceremonies are entertained by geiko and maiko
![Traditional means of transport still used!](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77354/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77354.jpg)
Traditional means of transport still used!
![A picture with women in kimonos is very popular.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77355/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77355.jpg)
A picture with women in kimonos is very popular.
![Bright and beautiful](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77356/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77356.jpg)
Bright and beautiful
![A pose, a smile and a click! ](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77357/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77357.jpg)
A pose, a smile and a click!
![Love the colorful kimonos? You will find kimono rental stores in Gion at affordable prices, also do not forget to visit the photo studios for some beautiful pictures as memories. ](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13270-77556/1000/kyoto-kyoto-s-gion-district-77556.jpg)
Love the colorful kimonos? You will find kimono rental stores in Gion at affordable prices, also do not forget to visit the photo studios for some beautiful pictures as memories.
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