On this 2-hour tour of Kyoto at night we'll dive into the deeply traditional Gion District which serves as both the historic home and beating heart of Geisha Japan. In the company of a local Kyoto resident and expert on Japan, we'll see the area alive and bustling after dark. This Kyoto Geisha Tour of Gion is fantastic for exploring traditional daily life in Kyoto; from the historic housing structures, shrines, and temples, to the role of geishas and kabuki in Japan's cultural history.

We will begin together near Yasaka Shrine and proceed from there to the first Gion "Geiko/Geisha" area, Hanami-koji, where spirituality plays a crucial role in the everyday life of both past and present. (For a closer look at religion in Kyoto try our day time Kyoto Temple Tour.) We’ll begin with a walk through Gion Kobu, one of five independent Geisha districts in Kyoto, before walking through the grounds of the oldest Zen temple in the city, Kennin-ji Temple. We’ll visit some of the famous shrines in the area and see how they tie into aspects of Japanese culture and social relations, such as Ebisu shrine for the god of good luck and success in business. We’ll weave our way through the streets of Miyagawa-cho, the main area where Kyoto’s geiko (Kyoto dialect for ‘geisha’) might be spotted walking around. We may even spot a maiko (a geiko apprentice) somewhere in the quaint and quiet little backstreets. We’ll make our way towards the Kamo River walking north until we reach the Minamiza Kabuki Theater. Here we will stop and admire the ornately constructed architecture and discuss the evolution of kabuki and some of its most famous tales.

From Minamiza we will proceed further north along the river to the second Geiko/Geisha area along the Shirakawa canal. We may pop down Shijo Street to visit historic artisan shops before we head to another geisha district, called Gion Higashi. Here, we’ll find ourselves walking along a peaceful canal lined with graceful willow trees and (if we are in luck) cherry blossoms. Together, we'll stop to soak in the atmosphere on the Tatsumi Bridge as we note the traditional Kyoto houses in the laneways, many adorned with their own flowerpots and miniature gardens.

We’ll pass by a small Benzaiten shrine dedicated to the goddess of the arts before we cross the river and appreciate the activity below. We may see people picnicking, playing the guitar, or simply sitting back and taking in the river view as the light fades over Kyoto. We will conclude our walking tour by crossing the river and walking up the Pontocho, another geisha district, filled with an array of places to eat, drink, and explore Kyoto well into the night. (For a deeper exploration of cuisine in Kyoto, take a look at our Kyoto Food Tour.)

 At the end of our time together, we'll have discovered some of Kyoto's most charming details and learned more about Gion's history while orientating ourselves to this special section of the city. We may even spot a geiko or a maiko if we're lucky. If not, though, no need to worry: we'll have been taught how to distinguish one for the remainder of our time in Kyoto.

For private walks, if you would prefer an earlier start time, please contact us or leave a note during booking and we can arrange this for you.

Context clients generally tip anywhere from 10-25% of the purchase price of a personal service such as this, depending on the quality of the experience and their tipping habits.