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In Gion, you can see many old buildings and there are many restaurants. In the evening, you will most probably bump into a geisha while strolling along Hanami-Koji. You are not able to stop a geisha and talk to her because most of the time, if you see them, they are on their way to the ... Read review
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Advantages: Most popular tourist attraction Disadvantages: None
...Geisha).
In Gion, you can see many old buildings and there are many restaurants. In the evening, you will most probably bump into a geisha while strolling along Hanami-Koji. You are not able to stop a geisha and talk to her because most of the time, if you see them, they are on their way to the teahouse where they serve their clients. (From what my Japanese friend told me, a geisha is paid about USD$800 per hour to entertain a guest). ...where only the very rich can afford to go. And, you have to be recommended by an existing member of the teahouse to join it. If not, as a tourist, you cannot enter a teahouse no matter how much money you have. However, nowadays, you can purchase a package that includes meal and geisha entertainment. The cheapest package is about £300.
I met a geisha in my friend's teahouse but she was in a hurry to attend another appointment in another ... more
Gion is the most famous geisha district in Kyoto (and whole Japan I think). Geisha is a professional female entertainer since the olden Japan times. (There is now a movie on Geisha : Memoirs of a Geisha).
In Gion, you can see many old buildings and there are many restaurants. In the evening, you will most probably bump into a geisha while strolling along Hanami-Koji. You are not able to stop a geisha and talk to her because most of the time, if you see them, they are on their way to the teahouse where they serve their clients. (From what my Japanese friend told me, a geisha is paid about USD$800 per hour to entertain a guest).
The teahouse is like a private club where only the very rich can afford to go. And, you have to be recommended by an existing member of the teahouse to join it. If not, as a tourist, you cannot enter a teahouse no matter how much money you have. However, nowadays, you can purchase a package that includes meal and geisha entertainment. The cheapest package is about £300.
I met a geisha in my friend's teahouse but she was in a hurry to attend another appointment in another teahouse so I could only take pictures with her but no chatting. Later, I saw another geisha in this teahouse which I thought was the one I saw a few minutes ago but actually it's a different geisha. What I want to say is, with their thick make-up and white powder all over the face even covering the neck, it is so difficult to differentiate who's who.
There are a few studios around this area that provide 'maiko makeover'. (Maiko is a junior geisha). I am not sure how much it costs for the makeover and after the makeover, you can take the costumes with you and go out for a walk for about one hour. (I heard it is very expensive).
Another important thing that you shouldn't forget if you are in Kyoto. WAGASHI. It is the common name of Japanese dessert. If you walk around Kyoto, you can see shops selling traditional Japanese dessert. I strongly recommend you to try as these are not things that you can find outside Japan even in sushi restaurants. My friend took me to the most famous dessert shop but it was too expensive even by UK standard. So we ended up buying from corner shops. (Well, you can find such dessert in other parts of Japan but I say Kyoto here because they are originally from Kyoto, according to my friend.) So, if you happen to be in Kyoto, please ask around to see if you can find some local Kyoto dessert.
Transport: Take 'shinkansen' (bullet train) to Kyoto station. If you are coming from Osaka, you can take a local train which is about 1 hour. Then, t ake the bus number 100 or 206 from Kyoto station and get off at Gion bus stop. The closest train stations are Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
Advantages: Location Disadvantages: uncomfortable, not very clean, dated decor
I stayed in this hotel for 2 nights on a short break to Kyoto when we were on holiday in Tokyo last year.
The location is excellent and is only a few minutes walk from the beautiful Gion district.
The rooms are very small but I have to say this is standard across Japan in the lower priced hotels especially in the main Cities.
The room wasn't comfortable and I wouldn't like to have stayed here for any longer than 2 nights.
The decor was very dated and there was a lack of air conditioning which wasn't much fun as it was extremely hot when we stayed there.
The room did have everything you need, it was just a little cramped and not very welcoming.
The standard of cleanliness wasn't great, it wasn't really dirty, but it certainly could have been better.
One little detail that I did like even though it is very small is that they left ...
Advantages: A very spiritual but vibrant city with places easy to find Disadvantages: When it's hot - it's sticky, if you like that kind of thing!!!
I spent 3 fabulous days expolring Kyoto in May this year and I loved every moment. The city is set out in a grid pattern, so finding places is simple and most people speak some degree of english. I loved the temples and shrines - the Golden Pavilion is a must see, the reflection in the water is awesome and the surrounding gardens are beautiful. The Daiokuji Temple Complex with the Zen Gardens at Daisen-In are another definite to behold. Another 2 great places to visit are the 'Red' Heian Shrine and Nijo Castle. I found the city traditional with the 'Maiko' girls wandering around the red light district of Gion in the early evening, but still modern with wonderful shopping malls and restaurants. Plus the only way to travel to Kyoto in style is by the bullet train, which arrives at the futurist looking station. The only down side was ...
katey.holt 25.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kyoto (Japan)
Advantages: It is a fascinating city which presents many of the contrasts of Japan Disadvantages: This review is very long - but there is so much to Kyoto that I've only given you the main sites
Warning: many of you may want to scan this review, as it is far too long. Kyoto has a great deal to see though...
Kyoto gives its name to possibly Japan's most historically and culturally rich prefecture (kyoto-ken), and is contained within the Kansai region. The city itself which was then known as Heian-kyo, was used as the country's capital before Tokyo and shares this privilege with nearby Nara which predates it. Along with Osaka, Nara is also well worth a visit if you are interested in learning a little about Japan's history or seeing many of its most beautiful shrines and temples; many of which are national treasures, UNESCO sites or important cultural properties. The earthquake devastated and recently rebuilt Kobe is also an easy distance (all are reached within half ...
ickkate 27.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kyoto (Japan)
