Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
| TEMPLE
MAIKO COSTUME
If you ever wondered how
you
might look as a
maiko
(apprentice geisha), Kyoto has many organisations in
9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm holidays; 10min walk from Shijō Station, Keihan line) is in the Gion
district. Here you can be dressed up to live out your
maiko
fantasy. Prices begin at ¥6720 for the basic treat-
ment, which includes full make-up and formal kimono (studio photos cost ¥500 per print and you can have
stickers made from these). If you don't mind spending some extra yen, it's possible to head out in costume for a
stroll through Gion (and be stared at like never before!). The process takes about an hour. Call to reserve at least
one day in advance.
GION DISTRICT
OFFLINE MAP
(
祇園
; Higashiyama-ku, Gion-machi; 1min walk from Gion Shijō Station, Keihan line)
Gion is the fam-
ous entertainment and geisha quarter on the eastern bank of the Kamo-gawa. While
Gion's true origins were in teahouses catering to weary visitors to Yasaka-jinja (
CLICK HERE
), by the mid-18th century the area was Kyoto's largest pleasure district. Despite the loom-
ing modern architecture, congested traffic and contemporary nightlife establishments that
have compromised its historical beauty, there are still some places left in Gion for an en-
joyable walk. It looks quite drab by day, but comes alive with people and lights in the
evening.
| NEIGHBOURHOOD
Hanami-kōji runs north to south and bisects Shijō-dōri. The southern section is lined
with 17th-century traditional restaurants and teahouses, many of which are exclusive es-
tablishments for geisha entertainment. At the south end you reach Gion Corner (
CLICK
If you walk from Shijō-dōri along the northern section of Hanami-kōji and take your
third left, you will find yourself on
Shimbashi
(sometimes called Shirakawa Minami-
dōri), which is one of Kyoto's most beautiful streets and, arguably, the most beautiful
street in all of Asia, especially in the evening and during cherry-blossom season. A bit fur-
ther north lie Shinmonzen-dōri and Furumonzen-dōri, running east to west. Wander in
