Gion District & Hidden Gems Walking Tour in Kyoto
1.5
Gion District & Hidden Gems Walking Tour in Kyoto
By ONE KYOTO TOURS
About
Go off the beaten track in Kyoto and explore the ancient Gion District on a walking tour with a local guide. Discover hidden treasures and learn about the history of Kyoto's iconic geisha district. Starting off in the bustling Sanjo area of Kyoto, you will meander through the ancient, narrow, cobbled streets of Gion, Kyoto's centuries-old entertainment area. See the area come alive in the ambient atmosphere of the evening. Learn about Gion's past and present, and get the chance to spot geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) as they move between different engagements in the heart of Kyoto's geisha district. Along the way, pass through several historic ancient temples and shrines, including some designated national treasures, and get plenty of photo opportunities. As you come to the end of the walk, you'll have gained a more detailed understanding of the history, architecture, customs, and traditions of Kyoto, the Geisha, the Gion District, and Japan.
Ages 0-100, max of 10 per group
Duration: 2h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Local Guide
- Walking Tour
- Morning, afternoon, and evening slots available.
- Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Yasaka Shrine, 625 Giommachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0073 Kyoto Prefecture
A guided walkthrough one of the most significant and important Shinto temples in all of Japan.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Chion-in Temple, 400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605-8686 Kyoto Prefecture
Explore one of the largest Zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Draped in history, and housing some national treasures within this stunning complex.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Gion Shirakawa, Higashiyama-ku along Shirakawa River Minamidori, Kyoto 605-0000 Kyoto Prefecture
A walk through one of the most exclusive areas in Kyoto. You will see the river, bridge, famous Tatsumi Jinjya shrine, and century old restaurants along this gorgeous and quaint street.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kōdai-ji Temple, Japan, 605-0825 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Shimokawarachō, 高台寺下河原町５２６
Guided walk through this stunning Buddhist shrine, which relates to love, relationships, and the folk tale of "Hideyoshi & Nene".
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ryozen Kannon, 526-2 Shimokawaracho Kodaiji, Higahsiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0825 Kyoto Prefecture
Guided walkthrough one of the largest Buddha statues in Kyoto and its stunning surroundings.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Hokan-ji Temple / Yasaka Pagode, Japan, 605-0862 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 清水八坂上町３８８
Guided visit to the iconic 6th century Yasaka Pagoda and its neighboring temple.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Yasui-Konpiragu, 70 Benten-cho, Todaijimatsubara, Kyoto 605-0000 Kyoto Prefecture
A guided walkthrough this beautiful Shinto shrine. Including a cultural group activity within the grounds of the shrine.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Hanamikoji Street, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture
A guided walkthrough "Hanamikouji Street", the ancient and original main Geisha district of Kyoto. You will have the opportunity to learn about Geisha culture, its origins, and the mysterious lives of the Geisha.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Maruyama Park, 473 Maruyamacho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605-0071 Kyoto Prefecture
A guided walkthrough this stunningly picturesque public park, famous for cherry blossoms, and surrounded by several designated national treasure temples.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Pontocho District, Nakagyo-Ku BetweenKamogawa and Kiyamachi-dori, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture
A guided walkthrough this charming, ancient, traditional Japanese alleyway which is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the city of Kyoto.
Duration: 15 minutes - Start:
- 34 Benzaitenchō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0086, Japan
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 457948P1+1 855 275 5071- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 457948P1+1 855 275 5071
Itinerary
- 34 Benzaitenchō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0086, Japan
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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.
1.5
22 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
20
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Naoki
Japan2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
How disgraceful your acts are. I'll find you out and drive you into a corner.
Get out of Japan NOW before you are found in 〇〇〇〇〇.
Get out of Japan NOW before you are found in 〇〇〇〇〇.
Written June 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.
Medical G
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Couples
Terrible guide.
No respect to the nation's religions and culture.
Not a licensed illegal tour guide.
A lot of complain from local resident.
No respect to the nation's religions and culture.
Not a licensed illegal tour guide.
A lot of complain from local resident.
Written May 31, 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.
Inspire52161919765
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
I thought it would be a fun tour, but the tour operator repeatedly hurled insults like "walk faster" and "you're an idiot," making it the worst tour ever.
Written May 27, 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.
Ernest
New York City, NY2 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Avoid this tour guide in Japan like the plague. Despite living here, he shows a complete disregard for the Japanese people and their culture. His constant rude mistakes and aggressive arguments with locals make the experience unbearable. This disrespectful, unprofessional guide will ruin your trip. Do not waste your time or money.
Written May 26, 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.
Doobie D
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
We were taken on a tour around Kyoto. And we learned that the tour guide has been living here for 8 years, and he is married to a Japanese woman. Thus he was capable of giving us a well informed and timely tour. Made us able to speak Japanese so fluently that my wife became a geisha, and I became a samurai.
Written May 26, 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.
vallecula e
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
The disrespect towards Japanese culture by a white male tour guide is terrible.
I feel nauseous.
I am extremely disappointed by the arrogant words and actions of the guide. Just because they live in Japan does not give them the right to disrespect Japanese culture. I believe it is unacceptable for someone without a proper understanding of Japanese culture to conduct tours in Japan.
I feel nauseous.
I am extremely disappointed by the arrogant words and actions of the guide. Just because they live in Japan does not give them the right to disrespect Japanese culture. I believe it is unacceptable for someone without a proper understanding of Japanese culture to conduct tours in Japan.
Written May 25, 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.
Jakub R
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Solo
Sadly these people have no respect for Japanese culture and are breaking the night's peace.
Can’t recommend them at all.
Can’t recommend them at all.
Written May 25, 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.
Marco O
Rome, Italy264 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I don't understand all the negative reviews, but it seems to be a sort of hit or miss with this company.
There were only 4 of us on the tour with Jousha and despite the rain we had fun discovering all the various hidden places in Kyoto. We even managed to see a geisha despite the ban that went into effect in April.
Joshua was very funny and explained many things to us, allowing us to take photos calmly and also recommending photo spots and taking photos himself.
He also recommended things to see in the following days and places to eat.
The nicest thing was when we made the offering to the gods, Joshua advised us how to do it and waited for us while we did it (us and the other couple).
There were only 4 of us on the tour with Jousha and despite the rain we had fun discovering all the various hidden places in Kyoto. We even managed to see a geisha despite the ban that went into effect in April.
Joshua was very funny and explained many things to us, allowing us to take photos calmly and also recommending photo spots and taking photos himself.
He also recommended things to see in the following days and places to eat.
The nicest thing was when we made the offering to the gods, Joshua advised us how to do it and waited for us while we did it (us and the other couple).
Written May 17, 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.
Road32215348055
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Business
They ghosted us. Dude came by with a paper saying One Kyoto Tours, said he needed a few minutes to sort things out and never returned. Check out the reviews here. Total scam. I'd give a lower rating if it were possible.
This is a pattern. The one 5-star review was probably from a friend. Completely bogus outfit.
This is a pattern. The one 5-star review was probably from a friend. Completely bogus outfit.
Written April 18, 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.
GoPlaces825045
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Solo
The guide showed up and asked for my name to confirm the booking. Then he told me we had to wait for five other people and disappeared. After 15 minutes, another couple who had booked the same tour as me arrived, and we waited for an hour, but the guide never showed up again and didn't answer his phone. So, I went to the police station to file a report. The police officers were very helpful and called him immediately. At first, he didn't answer, but when he realized it was the police calling, he responded and came to the station to sort things out. Eventually, I received a refund. If you ever find yourself in like this situation with this company where the guide doesn't show up, don't hesitate to go to the police station. (Most tours with Japanese people have been great, but this one, with a foreign guide, had issues.)
Written April 17, 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.
