Gion Shirakawa
Gion Shirakawa
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Gion
Gion is Kyoto's famed Geisha District (called "Geiko" in Kyoto). Though Gion's many tea houses and entertainment restaurants are closed to foreigners, Geiko and Maiko in their traditional makeup with gilded hair in full kimono can be seen drifting the streets on their way to and from work, where they fan dance, sing, and play instruments for customers. Gion lights up at night, when the ancient-looking streets glow with lanterns along the river, where weeping willows catch the starlight and the air is warmed with conversation. Groups pass through to populate the restaurants and bars along the riverfront, but Gion still manages to be a mostly quiet district, due in large part to limited automotive traffic through many of its streets. Gion is a wonderful place to indulge in Kyoto's local and customary cuisines, and is best enjoyed after dark.
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10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,164 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
53 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
22
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
0
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msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,522 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
I sort of stumbled upon this area at dusk during cherry blossom season and it was magical. The wooden homes, small river, weeping cherry blossom trees, all beautiful and magical. And it was not quite as crowded as the other areas of Gion.
Written April 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada788 contributions
Dec 2019
Anytime is a good time to stroll this area. I found that for myself, this area becomes more enchanting when the sun is setting and the lanterns are lit and you can gaze inside the teahouse/bar establishment.. A truly unique and engaging experience especially if it is not too crowded. The canal waterway adds to the romance of this walk, very much a captivating moment. A very pleasant stroll.
Written August 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LEE SOO
5,142 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
^_^Today is the last day of night
It's a bit unfortunate, but it rained for two days this week.
The cherry blossoms are now worth seeing.
It's crazy because of the crowds, but still
There is no place as humble and pretty as this place.
There is a tea shop nearby and I really like it.
It's a bit unfortunate, but it rained for two days this week.
The cherry blossoms are now worth seeing.
It's crazy because of the crowds, but still
There is no place as humble and pretty as this place.
There is a tea shop nearby and I really like it.

Written March 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skiin89ba
Sagamihara, Japan2,435 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
I visited again this year on April 6th. It's a charming townscape, except when it gets crowded, but there are just too many people. There are willows and cherry trees planted along the Shirakawa River, and the wooden houses make a picturesque scene, but the crowds ruin the beauty of the view.

Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoneExpLauren
New York City, NY280 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Take a quick walk down the streets of the former Geisha district and get a feel for what life was life in the past. Beautiful scenery, especially during spring, complete with great shopping and restaurants.
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Union City, CA8,957 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This is the first spot we felt the Kyoto Cherry blossoms since we got to Kyoto on March 28. Actually, the Gion Shirakawa Night Cherry blossoms even was shut down since 2016. It just reopened in 2019. We were so excited to finally see so much cherry blossoms in Kyoto. There were so many tourists packed on the street, kind of having a street party to celebrate the Night Cherry blossoms. We went back later on again during the Day time which was not the great as the night view. The only drawback of this site is the air pollution due to its right next to a very busy street with a lot of traffics. Anyhow, it’s a must visit spot in Kyoto.
Written April 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan188
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2,275 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
KYOTO Day 1 : Shirakawa Canal in winter 💛 ..
The Shirakawa Canal cuts right through the Higashiyama District ..
The canal is lined by willow trees, restaurants & "ochaya" (teahouses) .. many of wh hv rooms overlooking the canal ...
It is a little off the beaten path, so the Shirakawa Area is typically somewhat quieter ... altho it was 5C, we took a slow stroll along the canal, taking in the scenic beauty .. pix don't do it justice .. was planning to rtn next day, but so much more to do / see ..
The Shirakawa Canal cuts right through the Higashiyama District ..
The canal is lined by willow trees, restaurants & "ochaya" (teahouses) .. many of wh hv rooms overlooking the canal ...
It is a little off the beaten path, so the Shirakawa Area is typically somewhat quieter ... altho it was 5C, we took a slow stroll along the canal, taking in the scenic beauty .. pix don't do it justice .. was planning to rtn next day, but so much more to do / see ..
Written February 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SurfingWild
Bandung, Indonesia8,722 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
This is really one of my favourite places to visit in Kyoto with it's old wooden buildings, stone bridges, cherry and willow trees and small river. The area is full of quaint restaurants and bars on the side of the river and small traditional looking restaurants in the small alleys all around.
Gion Shirakawa is beautiful at any time of the year but cherry blossom season is the best. There is a road that runs alongside the river and path and here you can hire a trishaw for a ride by a man wearing traditional clothing. You will also nearly always see tourists dressed in full traditional Japanese costume including makeup and Japanese wooden sandals. Just ask to take a photo and they will nearly always agree.
You can also see Japanese cranes either flying along the length of the river or standing in the river. For me, this is one of those "must visit" places in Kyoto.
Gion Shirakawa is beautiful at any time of the year but cherry blossom season is the best. There is a road that runs alongside the river and path and here you can hire a trishaw for a ride by a man wearing traditional clothing. You will also nearly always see tourists dressed in full traditional Japanese costume including makeup and Japanese wooden sandals. Just ask to take a photo and they will nearly always agree.
You can also see Japanese cranes either flying along the length of the river or standing in the river. For me, this is one of those "must visit" places in Kyoto.
Written January 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pppChiangrai
Chiangrai29 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
From the Gion Shojo station , find the exit to Gion Shiragawa and start to walk at the begining of street & small canal. It’s cool and calm, beautiful tree, clear water with nice cafe. Don’t miss the chocolate shop Cacao Market! so cool!
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sim Yen
Singapore, Singapore396 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Still retains the traditional Kyoto houses, with lesser tourists than Hanamikoji. Great for Sakura and good dining options.
Written April 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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