Kyoto 5-day Itinerary
Japan
Where to go and what to see in Kyoto to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and Japan travel writer Rob Goss.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Geishas in Gion
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Credit Shutterstock.com/Peter Adams Photography
Last updated: 05 November, 2022
Geishas (translation: artist) are female performance artists trained in dance, music, singing, conversation and hosting. Famous for their distinctive appearance – dressed in colourful kimonos, complimented by elaborate hairstyles and oshiroi make-up, they’ve been entertaining Japan’s wealthy and well-connected for centuries.
Kyoto’s historic Gion quarter, one of the world’s best known geisha districts, is the place to see them. The world of geishas is exclusive and mysterious, but a walk around Gion gives fleeting glimpses into their lives and this remarkable, uniquely Japanese tradition.
The most famous of Gion’s streets, the flagstone-paved Hanami-koji, is a beautiful relic, lined with old wooden chaya (teahouses) where many geishas entertain. While chaya are off-limits without an invitation, you can stroll Gion in the early evening and spot geisha heading to work in their finest kimonos.
Also stop by the Gion Corner Theatre for the nightly one-hour shows. They’re touristy but fun, and include geisha dancing, traditional music, flower arranging and more.
While you’re there
Beyond the geisha, Gion’s warren of streets hold temples and shrines, as well as less exclusive (non-geisha) bars, restaurants and stores. There are also places to see geisha perform without needing a fat wallet – the admittedly touristy Gion Corner theatre has geisha dances in its nightly shows.
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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
If you see geishas in the street, be sure to follow etiquette or you might get a 10,000 yen fine. Don’t stalk or ask for photos and don’t follow the geisha onto private property.
If you want to experience a dinner performance with a geisha that goes beyond a tourist show, you’ll need help and a generous budget. For guests, the Aman Kyoto is one high-end hotel that can arrange an afternoon or evening of entertainment at a geisha teahouse.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Celestine Kyoto Gion
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.8 miles]
An affordable hotel offering modern Japanese simplicity and hospitality in the historic Gion geisha district. A great base for sightseeing.
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BnA Alter Museum
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.8 miles]
One for art aficionados – a minimalist boutique that’s a living art gallery. All rooms are created by local artists.
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Hiiragiya Ryokan
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1 miles]
Indulge in luxury the authentic Japanese way at this 200-year-old ryokan in the heart of Kyoto that ticks all the traditional boxes. The price includes a 12-course kaiseki-ryori dinner.
Official star rating:
Miru Kyoto Nishiki
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1 miles]
Old-Kyoto meets contemporary Japan at this centrally located boutique hotel geared to budget-conscious travelers.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Kyoto
Kansai, Japan
Ancient temples and shrines, sublime cuisine, manicured gardens, colourful geishas and living history in spades – Kyoto is traditional Japan at its best.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[4.3 miles]
One of Japan’s most sacred shrines, Fushimi Inari’s thousands of torii gateways also make it one of the country’s most Instagrammable sights.
Best for ages: 6+ | £2
Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5.6 miles]
The stunning, gilded temple of Kinkakuji, casting its golden reflection onto an islet-studded pond, is the iconic Kyoto image. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[9.5 miles]
The towering stalks and soft light of Arashiyama’s much-photographed bamboo grove make this iconic Kyoto sight an almost otherworldly experience.
Best for ages: 4+ | £3
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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.4 miles]
The shrine that protects the Gion geisha district is one of Kyoto’s most distinctive sights. Entered through a roofed gateway painted a vivid vermillion, its grounds include a striking dance stage—used for performances during festivals—that’s adorned with several hundred lanterns lit each evening.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Kenninji Temple
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.6 miles]
Established in 1202, this temple at the southern end of Hanami-koji has traditional Zen gardens and incredible ceiling murals of dragons (added in 2002). It claims to be the oldest temple in Kyoto.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Nishiki Market
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.9 miles]
Stretching along five shop-lined blocks, Kyoto’s oldest food market immerses visitors in Kyoto’s culinary heritage. Over 100 stalls and restaurants offer all and anything food related.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Saihoji Temple
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[8.4 miles]
A Buddhist Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its unusual, atmospheric moss garden that circles a symbolically-shaped golden pond. Just getting in is an experience – you’re given a written sutra to copy it out onto another piece of paper to ensure you are pure enough to enter!
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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