Close to Gion, the brightly painted Yasaka-jinja Shrine is one of the most famous places in Kyoto. They have a pleasant garden – a popular spot for Hanami(cherry blossom viewing parties) in the Spring along with near-by Maruyama Koen(Maruyama Park).
The center of town (Shijo-Kawaramachi) is a short walk away. Yasaka-jinja is the host shrine of Kyoto’s biggest festival-Gion Matsuri in July and at New Year attracts literally millions of worshippers for Hatsumode(the first shrine visit of the new year).
Also reputedly popular among Geisha themselves. The buildings date from 1654 and were built on the order of the shogun of the day.
Fees : Free
Opening Hours : No closing days
Hanami Koji
This is the most popular area of Gion(around Yasaka shrine) and the famous tea house street where you might find some geisha apprentices going to their first party in the early evening.
There are a lot of restaurants along this street but usually they are expensive. Also these restaurants i are famous for the most exclusive and expensive of Kyoto’s dining establishments. Hanami Koji is usually crowded, and unfortunately there are no restrictions on automobile traffic on the street.
Gion Matsuri(Gion Festival)
Gion Matsuri is one of the 3 biggest Festival(Gion Matsuri, Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri) in Kyoto.
In 869 the Mikoshi (portable shrines) of Gion Shrine were paraded through the streets of Kyoto to ward off an epidemic that had hit the city. This was the beginning of the Gion Matsuri, an annual festival which has become world famous and a lot of people come to see Gion Matsuri every year and enjoy night markets and seeing huge Mikoshi which you can see only in Gion Festival.
Gion Matsuri starts from July 1st and ends July 31st.
This Matsruri have tons of rituals and ceremonies but the main event is between 14th and 16th.
Also night markets open for the 3 days. If you come to Japan during the days, this festival is a must.
