When you think traditional Japan, this is it. The architecture is stunning. Winding back streets, hidden gems and incredible detail. It has both a local and touristy feel. Steeped in culture with many people wearing traditional Geisha dress. Lots of restaurants and shops. You can happily and easily spend several hours walking around and soaking it all in. Absolute must see/ do

We were here many years ago and it was magical especially at night . You could actually see real geisha walking around the. Now, it is unfortunately all tourists walking around in rental kimonos. However, at night, you can walk around and still feel the old traditional atmosphere and lose yourself in the side streets.

We were lucky to be staying at a terrific hotel here and could walk around this historic area a lot. There is a true feeling of tradition along the narrow streets with ancient buildings and temples. There is a clash of modernity (unattractive electric and phone power lines cross crossing above) and the crowds of tourists parading around as if they are Geikos (geishas) and the shops which reflect both of these opposing sides in Gion. I recommend doing a real meditation at one of the temples with a monk. Also you get a different vibe at different times of the day and night when you walk through the neighborhood.

A must visit if you’re in Kyoto! Love the traditional old buildings! Very crowded but still worth a trip. Walking around and getting lost is Best! We also got lucky and saw monks walking in Gion!

A deliciously dark and shaded area of town, redolent with historical intrigue. This is where the educated girls, trained in the ways of entertaining, hosted their clients. High-class rather than seedy. An utterly fascinating place.

There are several micro-neighborhoods within Gion, it this is definitely worth a visit and not far from the city center. The old wooden shops, lanterns, and cherry blossoms were a site to behold. The biggest downside is it is crowded.

Took a long stroll through Gion on the way to Kiyomizu-dera and it was one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. Beautiful traditional architecture and narrow streets, dotted with temples, shrines, and theaters. We just wandered and enjoyed the atmosphere. We had heard that the local community was a bit sensitive about tourists taking photos in Gion, so we didn't take any. Additionally it was Golden Week so a bit crowded and full of tourists (both international and local) dressed up in kimono...which was weird b/c it seemed to me to be genuinely not the sort of place to hike around in geta...unless you have a reason to be hiking around in geta. I think Gion would be a lovely place to explore on a foggy rainy day, or at night,...and likely would have been more enjoyable had it been a weekday and not a national holiday. But I am so glad we went and I think that, if I went back, I'd book accommodation in the neighborhood.

This was a really fun three hour tour of Gion. Our guide, Kats, was very knowledgable and kind. We stopped for tea and sweets and saw the lights turn on in the neighborhood. We spotted a Geisha and saw some amazing temples and shrines. Highly recommend.

If you watched the film, you expect narrow alleys, old wooden houses and an atmosphere that transports you back in time. Today, the Main Street is quite broad and modernized. The houses are old and wooden but I guess it helps not to come with the expectation of the film‘s atmosphere here. Definitely a place to visit when in Kyoto though, and for above atmosphere, I recommend starting in nearby Pontocho.

We had a good visit in the evening here after a busy day in Kyoto. The streets were mostly empty and mostly quiet on January 4. We did see some geishas when we visited in 2018 but we saw none on this visit but if you do see one make sure you remain respectful as it is frowned upon to stop them or take photos. It is also important to note that many restaurants in this area do not accept foreigners or walk ins so do keep this in mind if you want to eat in this area and research and book ahead for the best experience. If you're looking for a cultural experience you could attend a traditional theatre show at Gion Corner or Minamiza Theater. When we visited there were walk in tickets available at Gion Corner but you may want to consider booking ahead as well and planning an evening theatre show. The Yasaka Shrine was also quite nice too and a bit more accessible than the crowded and busy Fushimi Inari Taisha area. We walked here from the Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station as we visited the Nishiki Market area before we crossed the river to the Gion area. The Gion-Shijo Station is closer to Gion and is on the same side of the river - we also lucked out here with a public bathroom and had some fish cakes (Taiyaki) and some very good ice as well. We would recommend spending at least an hour in the Gion area and longer if you plan on going to the shrine or checking out a theatre show.