expedia
Skip to main content
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District & Yasaka Shrine Walking Tour

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
The previous price was £89 and current price is £62 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 1h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore Kyoto’s cultural heart on this private daytime walking tour through Gion, the city’s most historic district. Stroll along Hanamikoji Street, where preserved wooden machiya townhouses and traditional tea houses reflect centuries of performing arts heritage.

Walk beside the picturesque Shirakawa Canal, lined with willow trees and traditional facades. Along the way, your guide explains the roles of geiko and maiko in Kyoto society, offering insight into their artistic traditions and cultural significance.

Visit Yasaka Shrine, the spiritual guardian of Gion and a key Shinto site closely connected to the famous Gion Matsuri festival. This private tour is ideal for travellers seeking meaningful cultural context in one of Kyoto’s most iconic areas.

Private guided daytime walking tour in Gion
Explore Hanamikoji Street and Shirakawa Canal
Learn about geiko and maiko traditions
Visit historic Yasaka Shrine

Activity location

  • Pontocho District
    • Nakagyo-Ku, BetweenKamogawa and Kiyamachi-dori
    • Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Shijo Police Box
    • 無番地 Kashiwayachō
    • 604-8014, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Check availability

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District & Yasaka Shrine Walking Tour
  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes1h 30m
    1h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Price details
£88.61
£62.03 x 1 Adult£62.03
Total
The previous price was £88.61 and current price is £62.03
30% off
Until Sat, 11 Apr

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Cultural and historical commentary throughout the tour
  • What's includedWhat's included
    English-speaking local guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private guided walking tour in Gion
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Transport to and from the meeting point
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal expenses

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
  • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Pontocho District

  • 15m
  • Admission ticket included
Pontocho is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric historic lanes, running parallel to the Kamo River. Known for its narrow stone pathway and traditional wooden facades, the alley has long been associated with dining and entertainment culture. Today, it remains lined with small restaurants and long-established establishments that reflect Kyoto’s refined hospitality traditions. Walking through Pontocho offers a glimpse into the intimate scale and preserved character of old Kyoto.

Gion Shirakawa

  • 15m
  • Admission ticket included
The Shirakawa Canal is one of Gion’s most picturesque areas, where willow trees drape over a quiet stream lined with preserved machiya townhouses. Stone bridges and traditional architecture create a serene landscape that embodies Kyoto’s aesthetic sensibility. In daylight, the intricate wooden details and calm waterway reveal why this area is considered one of the most photogenic corners of the district.

祇園花見小路通

  • 20m
  • Admission ticket included
Hanamikoji Street is the heart of Gion’s traditional entertainment quarter. Lined with historic ochaya (tea houses) and wooden townhouses, it has long been associated with Kyoto’s performing arts culture. While often linked to geiko and maiko traditions, the street itself represents centuries of architectural preservation and artistic heritage. Its carefully maintained facades offer a tangible connection to Kyoto’s cultural past.

Yasaka Shrine

  • 20m
  • Admission ticket included
Yasaka Shrine is the spiritual centre of Gion and one of Kyoto’s most significant Shinto shrines. Founded over a thousand years ago, it plays a central role in the famous Gion Matsuri festival. The shrine’s vibrant vermilion structures and open courtyard provide insight into the religious foundations that shaped the surrounding entertainment district. Its location at the eastern edge of Gion makes it both a historic landmark and a convenient conclusion to the walking tour.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Pontocho District
    • Nakagyo-Ku, BetweenKamogawa and Kiyamachi-dori
    • Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Shijo Police Box
    • 無番地 Kashiwayachō
    • 604-8014, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Kyoto your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Kyoto

With so many things to do in Kyoto, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Kyoto. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Kyoto to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.