Gion Night Walk

Wondering how to spend the evening in Kyoto? Meet at Yasaka Shrine for a walking tour through the alleyways of Gion's area, Kyoto's geisha district, at nightfall, with a guide to reveal all of its secrets.

The best way to spend the evening in Kyoto is to visit Gion

Some of Kyoto city's most beautiful areas only truly reveal their beauty at nightfall. Thus, our guides will show you Gion by night, telling you while walking its story in a small group in the calm of the lighted alleyways.

Like many other elegant places around in Japan, Kyoto is transformed at night time by the combination of darkness and minimalist and sometimes old-fashioned lighting. The dark silhouette of the surrounding mountains, populated by wild animals, halo of mystery the old quarter of Gion below.

The tourist crowds of the day have deserted the streets, and the faint halo of old lampposts enhances the quaint charm of the small alleys, along the river.

Discover the Geisha district as well as cultural treasures

Fans of Japanese cinema should not be more surprised than this to notice the silhouettes of two warriors in starched kimonos and high buns suddenly appear from a room on a street, laughing and staggering with exhilaration from sake. If these characters disappeared at the turn of the 20th century, there are others whose appearance has not changed since the samurai era and which you are likely to see appear.

These are of course the Geiko or Geishas and their apprentices, the Maïko, whose colourful kimonos still sneak up and down the alleys of the "flower towns" as they were once called, and whose business has survived the times and the turmoil of History. If you are lucky, you might see one or two Geishas furtively walking among the river and disappearing in a small alley, between a bar and a temple.

Kyoto city's best night views

Gion area at night time is also the silence found disturbed only by the passage of rare taxis, the majesty of the illuminated pagodas standing out against the dark ridges or overhanging the luminous grid of the metropolis, the "kura *" whose brilliant whiteness suddenly contrasts in the dark alignment of traditional Kyoto wooden buildings and much more. All these great spots for photography! Some of your most beautiful shots await you this evening.

*Japanese warehouse in traditional white.

Guided group tour

Meet at 7pm in front of the famous Yasaka Temple, to start the visit with your guide. The Gion tour is a walking group guided visit, of about 2 hours, with a reasonable price, which allows you to fully enjoy Gion and find yourself in a unique night-time atmosphere.

Your guide is a local of Kyoto, and has been living in the city for several years. An unforgettable experience to learn about history of Kyoto, culture as well as people who made it.

 The visit will be held in English. 

If you prefer private guided tours, please book the Gion Night Walk - private.

Travelers testify

"This tour was very interesting and allowed me to take some of my best photos in Japan. We were able to see the shrines at night and take a path that allowed us to take great photos, while being very respectful of the local culture. We learned a lot along the way. Highly recommend."

"The guides were great, really I recommend them!!!"

"Very nice walk in the Gion Kyoto district. Excellent guide."

"The guide in Gion was excellent."

"Young, dynamic and exciting guide who delighted even our boys (17 and 22), telling the story of the district, geishas and religions in Japan, while remaining very lively and grounded in today's reality."

"We really enjoyed the Gion Night Walk. Our guide Victor was excellent, humorous and engaging. Everyone in the group was like-minded and friendly. I would definitely book with your company on a future trip."