Gion and Higashiyama, Kyoto · Things to do
Things to Do in Gion and Higashiyama: 11 Places with Hours, Fees and Access
11 things to do · checked October 20, 2026
11 things to do in Gion and Higashiyama, from Hanamikoji east to Kiyomizu-dera
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 20, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Hanamikoji Street花見小路
Historic street · Gion
The stone-paved street that runs south from Shijo-dori through Gion's tea-house district to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. It is a public street with traffic, and Kyoto's tourism site asks walkers to use the stone-paved sides and not to stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
- Access
- Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan) and the Gion bus stop (City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station) are the nearest points. Gion Corner, in the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo annex nearby, lists 5 minutes on foot from each.
2Gion Cornerギオンコーナー
Traditional arts performance · Gion
A 50-minute show in the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo annex theatre: Kyomai dance by maiko, tea ceremony, ikebana, koto, bugaku, kyogen, and bunraku or noh depending on the month. Kyoto's tourism site names it as the way to see maiko perform.
- Access
- 5 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan), or from the Gion bus stop (City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station).
- Hours
- Daily at 18:00 and 19:00, about 50 minutes. 1 December–11 March: Tuesday to Friday only (not public holidays), 18:00 and 19:00, without bunraku or noh.
- Closed on
- 16 July, 16 August, 26 December–4 January, 11 and 23 February
- Price
- Adults ¥5,500; ages 16–22 ¥3,850; ages 7–15 ¥3,300; 0–6 free (a child who needs a seat takes the 7–15 ticket). Premium seat ¥6,600; seat with tea and sweets ¥6,050.
3Gion Shirakawa祇園白川
Canal and historic lanes · Gion
The Shirakawa canal and the lanes along it in Gion. JNTO suggests seeing it by lantern light, and Kyoto's tourism site lists Gion-Shirakawa with Hanamikoji as a residential area where visitors are asked not to photograph residents, eat or smoke while walking, or litter.
- Access
- In Gion, a short walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan) or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu); JNTO gives no minutes.
4Kennin-ji建仁寺
Zen temple · Gion
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, a short walk from the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. Its own site lists the twin-dragon painting (双龍図) and the Wind and Thunder Gods screen (風神雷神図屏風) among its features. Adult admission rises from ¥800 to ¥1,000 on 1 January 2027.
- Access
- 7 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan); 10 minutes from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu); 5 minutes from the Higashiyama-Yasui bus stop, 7 from Minamiza-mae (City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station).
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Price
- Adults ¥800; students (elementary to high school) ¥500; under school age free. From 1 January 2027 adults ¥1,000 (students unchanged).
5Yasaka Shrine八坂神社
Shinto shrine · Gion
The shrine at the east end of Shijo-dori, facing the street, with Maruyama Park beyond its eastern end. Its portable shrines (mikoshi) leave on the nights of 17 and 24 July in the Gion Festival.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan); about 8 minutes from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu); a short walk from the City Bus 206 stop.
- Hours
- Grounds open at all times. Shrine office 9:00–17:00.
6Maruyama Park円山公園
City park · Gion / Higashiyama
Kyoto's oldest park, set up on 25 December 1886 and a national Place of Scenic Beauty, beside Yasaka Shrine. Its weeping cherry (shidare-zakura) was lit from 18:00 to 22:00 on 24 March–8 April 2026; the 2027 dates are not yet announced.
The weeping cherry was lit 24 March–8 April in 2026; the 2027 dates are not yet announced.
- Access
- Walk through Yasaka Shrine, or take City Bus 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station to the Gion stop (about 20 minutes) and walk. The Gion bus stop is a short walk from the park.
7Chion-in知恩院
Buddhist temple · Higashiyama
A large temple beside the north end of Maruyama Park, with the Sanmon gate at the foot of the Onnazaka stairs. The grounds are free to walk; the Hojo and Yuzen-en gardens charge.
- Access
- 8 minutes on foot from Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line); 10 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan); or City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station (23 minutes) to Chion-in-mae, then 5 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- Grounds 6:00–16:00 (reception from 9:00). Hojo garden 9:00–15:50; Yuzen-en 9:00–16:00. The gardens close on some days; the temple posts notices.
- Price
- Grounds free. Hojo garden: adults ¥400, elementary and junior high ¥200. Yuzen-en: adults ¥300, children ¥150. Both gardens: adults ¥500, children ¥250.
8Kodai-ji高台寺
Zen temple · Higashiyama
A Zen temple on the slopes toward Kiyomizu-dera, lit for an evening opening each autumn: 23 October–13 December 2026. The main hall (Hojo) cannot be entered on 12 and 13 November; the other halls and the bamboo grove stay open.
- Access
- City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station (about 15 minutes) to Higashiyama-Yasui, then 7 minutes on foot east.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00). Autumn evening opening 23 October–13 December 2026: lit from 17:00 to 22:00 (last entry 21:30).
- Closed on
- Hojo (main hall) not open to visitors on 12 and 13 November 2026
- Price
- Adults ¥800; junior high and high school ¥400; elementary and under free with an adult. Joint ticket with Entoku-in ¥1,200.
9Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji)法観寺（八坂の塔）
Five-storey pagoda · Higashiyama
The 46 m pagoda of Hokan-ji, standing in an old neighbourhood between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine. The inside opens only on irregular days.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from the Higashiyama-Yasui or Kiyomizu-michi bus stops (City Bus).
10Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka二年坂・三年坂（産寧坂）
Historic stone-paved slopes · Higashiyama
The two streets that lead to Kiyomizu-dera from Gion. Kyoto City registered Sannenzaka in 1976 as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings, and the tourism site asks visitors not to smoke or litter on the street or spend long taking photos.
- Access
- On foot between Kodai-ji and Kiyomizu-dera. The Higashiyama-Yasui bus stop is about 7 minutes from Kodai-ji; Gojozaka or Kiyomizu-michi is about 10 minutes uphill from Kiyomizu-dera.
11Kiyomizu-dera清水寺
Buddhist temple · Higashiyama
A temple halfway up Mt. Otowa that opens at 6:00 every day, with its Main Hall on a cliff-side stage and the Otowa Waterfall. It stays open until 21:30 on 21–30 November 2026. Visitors enter only by the approach from Kiyomizu-zaka to the Niomon gate or by Chawan-zaka.
- Access
- City Bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka-shita, then about 10 minutes on foot. From Hankyu Kawaramachi or Keihan Gion-Shijo, City Bus 207 to Kiyomizu-michi, then about 10 minutes. About 25 minutes on foot from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Keihan). No parking.
- Hours
- 6:00–18:00 (to 18:30 from 1 July–31 August except the night viewing). Night viewing 21–30 November 2026: until 21:30, last entry 21:00.
Good to know
Gion and Higashiyama can be done as one walk from west to east: Hanamikoji, Shirakawa and Kennin-ji in Gion, then Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park and Chion-in, then Kodai-ji, the Yasaka Pagoda and the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka slopes up to Kiyomizu-dera. There is no subway station in Gion. Gion-Shijo (Keihan) and Kawaramachi (Hankyu) are a short walk away, and City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station reaches the Gion stop in about 20 minutes.
The places keep very different hours. Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00 and Kodai-ji at 9:00, the Yasaka Pagoda's interior opens only on irregular days between 10:00 and 15:00, and Chion-in's Hojo garden takes its last visitors at 15:50. Evening openings in autumn 2026: Kodai-ji 23 October–13 December until 22:00, Kiyomizu-dera 21–30 November until 21:30. Kennin-ji's adult fee rises from ¥800 to ¥1,000 on 1 January 2027.
Gion is a residential district. Kyoto's tourism site and the residents of southern Gionmachi ask visitors not to stop, touch, follow or photograph geiko and maiko without permission; the tourism site also asks them not to eat or smoke while walking on Hanamikoji and Shirakawa. For performances of Kyomai dance, the same pages point to Gion Corner.
In depth
Where to start, what it costs, and when it stops
Getting there, the adult entry fee, and the opening time or last entry. Fees are as each place states them; blank means the pages checked do not give one.
| Where | Getting there | Entry (adult) | Opens / last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanamikoji and Shirakawa | Gion-Shijo (Keihan) or the Gion bus stop, a short walk | Public streets | Hanamikoji is lantern-lit at night |
| Gion Corner | 5 min from Gion-Shijo or the Gion bus stop | ¥5,500 | Shows at 18:00 and 19:00, about 50 min; Tuesday to Friday only, 1 Dec–11 Mar |
| Kennin-ji | 7 min from Gion-Shijo | ¥800 (¥1,000 from 1 Jan 2027) | Opens 10:00; last entry 16:30 |
| Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park | Shrine 5 min from Gion-Shijo; the park adjoins its east end | Not stated on the pages checked | Shrine grounds open at all times |
| Chion-in | 8 min from Higashiyama Station (Tozai) or 10 min from Gion-Shijo | Grounds free; gardens ¥300–¥500 | Reception from 9:00; Hojo garden until 15:50 |
| Kodai-ji | City Bus 206 to Higashiyama-Yasui, then 7 min | ¥800 | Opens 9:00; last entry 17:00 (21:30 on autumn evenings, 23 Oct–13 Dec) |
| Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji) | 5 min from the Higashiyama-Yasui or Kiyomizu-michi stop | ¥400, interior when open | 10:00–15:00, irregular days |
| Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka | On foot between Kodai-ji and Kiyomizu-dera | Public streets | — |
| Kiyomizu-dera | City Bus 206 or 100 to Gojozaka-shita, then about 10 min | Not stated on the pages checked | Opens 6:00; closes 18:00 (21:30 on 21–30 Nov) |
By kind of trip
Early start, before the shops open
Kyoto's tourism itinerary for a Higashiyama morning starts at Kiyomizu-dera, which opens at 6:00, comes down the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka slopes past the Yasaka Pagoda, and reaches Kodai-ji, which opens at 9:00, and then Yasaka Shrine.
Kiyomizu-dera · Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka · Kodai-ji · Yasaka Shrine
After dark
Gion Corner's two shows are at 18:00 and 19:00. Hanamikoji is lantern-lit at night, Kodai-ji is lit until 22:00 from 23 October to 13 December, and Kiyomizu-dera stays open until 21:30 on 21–30 November.
Temples, by closing time
Chion-in's Hojo garden takes its last visitors at 15:50, Kennin-ji at 16:30 and Kodai-ji at 17:00. Kiyomizu-dera closes at 18:00 from 1 September to 20 November.
Seeing maiko without breaking Gion's rules
Residents ask visitors not to stop, touch, follow or photograph geiko and maiko without permission. Kyoto's tourism site names the Kyomai dance at Gion Corner, daily at 18:00 or 19:00, as the way to see them.
Walks that need no ticket
The streets have no entry fee, and Chion-in's grounds are free; only its two gardens charge. Kyoto's tourism site asks walkers on Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka not to smoke, litter or stop for long photos.
Hanamikoji Street · Gion Shirakawa · Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka · Chion-in
Questions
What is open in Gion and Higashiyama after dark in autumn 2026?
Kodai-ji holds an evening opening on 23 October–13 December 2026, lit from 17:00 to 22:00 with last entry at 21:30. Kiyomizu-dera stays open until 21:30 (last entry 21:00) on 21–30 November. Gion Corner's shows are at 18:00 and 19:00 and Hanamikoji is lantern-lit at night.
How much is Gion Corner, and when does it run?
Adults ¥5,500, ages 16–22 ¥3,850, ages 7–15 ¥3,300, and 0–6 free; a premium seat is ¥6,600. Shows start at 18:00 and 19:00 and last about 50 minutes. From 1 December to 11 March it runs Tuesday to Friday only, not on public holidays. It is closed on 16 July, 16 August, 26 December–4 January, and 11 and 23 February.
Can I take photos of geiko and maiko in Gion?
Not on the street without permission. Kyoto's tourism site says stopping them to ask for a photo, or photographing them without permission, is prohibited, and the residents of southern Gionmachi ask visitors not to stop, touch or follow them. Tripods for photographing the townscape and eating or smoking while walking are also discouraged.
How do I get from Kiyomizu-dera down to Gion on foot?
Kyoto's tourism itinerary goes from Kiyomizu-dera (open from 6:00) down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, where the Yasaka Pagoda comes into view, to Kodai-ji (open from 9:00) and then Yasaka Shrine, whose grounds are open at all times.
Does Kennin-ji's admission change?
Yes. Adults pay ¥800 now and ¥1,000 from 1 January 2027, according to the temple's notice of 14 September 2026. Students from elementary to high school stay at ¥500, and children under school age are free. Hours are 10:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30.