Kyoto Gion Night Walk & Geisha District Guided Tour

About this experience

- Explore the wonderfully atmospheric Gion district, Kyoto’s famous Geisha district, at night - Gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s culture, traditions, and the world of geisha from a friendly and knowledgeable guide - Wander around traditional backstreets, visit offbeat temples and shrines, and you may even catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (apprentice geiko) - Book at any time – last-minute bookings are accepted!

What to expect

1. Stop 1 · 10min

   Meet your guide in front of the big black world map in central Kyoto.

2. Stop 2 · 5min

   See the statue of Izumo no Okuni, the woman credited with founding kabuki, near the historic Minamiza Theatre.

3. Stop 3 · 30min

   Stroll Gion’s most famous street, lined with wooden teahouses where geiko and maiko entertain guests.

4. Stop 4 · 15min

   Visit a shrine known for breaking bad ties and creating good ones, home to a stone covered in thousands of paper wishes.

5. Stop 5 · 15min

   Admire the five-story Yasaka Pagoda, one of Kyoto’s most iconic and photographed landmarks.

6. Stop 6 · 15min

   Walk down a preserved stone-paved slope lined with traditional wooden shops and machiya houses.

7. Stop 7 · 10min

   Follow a quiet stone lane named after Nene, the wife of the samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

8. Stop 8 · 15min

   Explore Kyoto’s oldest public park, famous for its giant weeping cherry tree.

9. Stop 9 · 20min

   See the vermilion gate and the lantern-covered dance hall of Gion’s guardian shrine.

10. Stop 10 · 20min

    Wander along a willow-lined canal with traditional teahouses and the charming Tatsumi Bridge.

11. Stop 11 · 20min

    Squeeze through a narrow lantern-lit alley packed with restaurants and teahouses beside the Kamo River

12. Stop 12 · 5min

    Finish at a historic bridge over the Kamo River, once the end of the old Tokaido road from Edo (Tokyo)

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• Kyoto Kawaramachi Garden corner, in front of the big black world map. Your guide will be waiting for you at the meeting point wearing a TripGuru shirt or holding a TripGuru sign.

What to bring: Camera Comfortable shoes Cash (for personal expenses) Important Information: Punctuality: Kindly be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the stated meeting time. Our tour guides will only wait a maximum of 10 minutes before proceeding to the next stop. Traffic: If you are headed to the meeting point, we would like to stress that heavy traffic in the morning is expected, and can vary greatly when compared to the travel time stated in navigation apps (e.g. Google Maps, Waze, etc.). Please make sure to consider leaving with enough time to reach your destination. Consideration for the Maiko/Geiko: Kindly be respectful and considerate when photographing Geiko and Maiko if you encounter them in Kyoto. Please remember to keep a distance and avoid interrupting their daily lives. We recommend using a longer lens, giving them space, and if they come close, stepping out of their path and offering a smile, a quick bow, and a thank you.

Before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.