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Interspersed among the restaurants are a number of ochaya teahouses , the most exclusive and expensive of Kyoto 's dining establishments, where guests are entertained by maiko and geiko. The canal is lined by willow trees, high class restaurants and ochaya, many of which have rooms overlooking the canal.
As it is a little off the beaten path, the Shirakawa Area is typically somewhat quieter than Hanami-koji Street. Many tourists visit Gion hoping to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko on their way to or from an engagement at an ochaya in the evenings or while running errands during the day. However, if you spot a geiko or maiko, act respectfully. Complaints about tourists behaving like ruthless paparazzi are on the increase in recent years. The ultimate experience is being entertained by a maiko or geiko while dining at an ochaya.
As expert hostesses, maiko and geiko ensure everyone's enjoyment by engaging in light conversation, serving drinks, leading drinking games and performing traditional music and dance. The services of geiko are expensive and exclusive, traditionally requiring an introduction from an existing customer.
In recent years, however, some travel agencies and hotels have started to offer lunch or dinner packages with a maiko to any tourist with a sufficient budget. There are even a few companies which target foreign tourists without Japanese language skills. A more accessible experience is the cultural show held everyday at Gion Corner at the end of Hanami-koji. Aimed at foreign tourists, the show is a highly concentrated introduction to several traditional Japanese arts and include short performances of a tea ceremony , ikebana , bunraku , Kyogen comic plays and dances performed by real maiko.
If you are in Kyoto in April, check out the Miyako Odori with daily dance performances by maiko. Shijo Avenue, which bisects the Gion district, is a popular shopping area with stores selling local products including sweets, pickles and crafts. Gion is also known for the Gion Matsuri , the most famous festival in Japan. Ironically, the most spectacular events of the festival are held outside of Gion on the opposite side of the Kamo River.
A visit to Gion is best combined with a stroll through the nearby Higashiyama District between Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizudera. This area has more preserved streets and traditional shops selling all kinds of local foods, crafts and souvenirs. Gion can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number or 20 minutes, yen. Get off at Gion bus stop.
How to get to and around Kyoto.
English Gion Corner Official website. Japanese Gion Corner Official website. Tourist dressed up as a Geisha.
Ninen-zaka Slope and Sannen-zaka Slope are iconic streets of Kyoto City, which represent Japan's good old days. Once you get there, you. Ishibe Alley is a must see in Kyoto. As you walk through the alleyways you feel like you've stepped into a movie set, only its real, because the establishments in.
View of the alley. Hannah Sy Hannah Sy. Jeradyne Cheong 3 years ago.
I'm absolutely in love with the pictures. Beautiful Reply Show all 0 replies. Yoke Fong Chin 3 years ago. Reply Show all 0 replies. Tanabata at Kodai-ji By Cathy Cawood. I don't have specific dates yet.
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