Guided walk in the Geisha district of Gion

Kyoto is the city in Japan with the most active geisha districts, where more than 200 geisha work. Today, you’ll be exploring Gion, the most famous geisha district and one of the few remaining true geisha districts with its own school.

The guide picks you up at the hotel and the tour starts with a stroll through the geisha quarter Miyagawa-cho, where the guide will explain along the way about the high culture the geishas represent today.

Although we still use the word “geisha” in the West, you have to be careful when using the word in Japan. In fact, the word “geisha” has negative connotations in Japan today, due to the prostitution that took place more than 100 years ago. Today, the Geisha are known as “Maiko” and “Geiko”. Maiko train from the age of 15 until they are 21 years old. During their training, they live with their “house mother” and are educated in poetry, singing, music, conservation, tea ceremonies and much more besides. After six years, they graduate and are independent, with the title “Geiko”.

You continue to Hanamikoji, where the aroma of Japanese restaurants and tea houses fills the street with its enchanting scents. You may be lucky enough to see meikos and geikkos rushing from one tea house to another, dressed in beautiful kimonos.

The tour continues to Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto from 1202. The temple is known particularly for its beautiful Zen gardens and the impressive Fujin Raijin-zu paintings depicting the God of Wind and God of Thunder – a national treasure painted by Tawaraya Soutatsu.

Finally, you will visit the Yasui Kompira-gu shrine, which is frequented by the young Japanese in particular, as the shrine is said to be the home of the gods of love. The tour ends here, and you have to make your own way back to the hotel.

Duration: around 4 hours

This excursion is open to TourCompass’ own guests only.

We recommend that you book the excursion when booking the tour.