The most atmospheric part of Kyoto — the eastern temple district and the geisha quarter of Gion, all preserved wooden streets, teahouses, lantern-lit lanes and great temples on the hills. The dream base for old Kyoto, walkable to Kiyomizu-dera and the historic alleys; the priciest and most sought-after area, and magical at dawn and dusk.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€220–450
typical per night in Japan
You pay for the postcode
One of the pricier addresses in Kyoto.
Where it sits
The circle is Higashiyama & Gion and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Pontocho & Kiyamachi9 min walk756 m
- Kyoto cuisine & kaiseki12 min walk994 m
- Nishiki Market15 min walk1.3 km
- Nijo Castle9 min taxi3.0 km
- Fushimi Inari Shrine12 min taxi4.1 km
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)18 min taxi6.0 km
- Tenryu-ji & its garden29 min taxi9.7 km
- The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove30 min taxi9.9 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 2.Kiyomizu-dera — A magnificent hillside temple whose vast wooden main hall juts out on stilts over the trees, with a sweeping view over Kyoto — dazzling in cherry blossom and autumn colour. The approach up the steep, shop-lined Higashiyama lanes is half the joy; go early, or after dark in the special illumination seasons.
- 5.Gion & the geisha district — Kyoto's famous geisha quarter — preserved wooden teahouses and lantern-lit lanes like Hanamikoji, where, at dusk, you may glimpse a geiko or maiko hurrying to an appointment. Wander it in the early evening (respectfully — no chasing or blocking), and dip into the atmospheric side streets by the Shirakawa canal.
- 7.The Higashiyama lanes — The stone-stepped, preserved streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka climbing towards Kiyomizu-dera — wooden shops, teahouses, sweet stalls and kimono-clad visitors, the most beautiful old streetscape in the city. Wander them slowly, ideally early or late; there's a pagoda view and endless little temples down the side alleys.
- 10.Ginkaku-ji & the Philosopher's Path — The 'Silver Pavilion' — a refined temple and exquisite moss-and-sand garden in the northern hills, reached along the Philosopher's Path, a canal-side walk lined with cherry trees that's a joy in blossom season. Less flashy than its golden cousin but more contemplative; a lovely half-day pairing walk and temple.
- 13.A tea ceremony — The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) reached its heights in Kyoto, and a session in a traditional teahouse or garden — whisking and sipping frothy matcha with seasonal sweets, amid quiet ritual — is a serene, meditative window into the culture. Many places in Gion offer visitor-friendly ceremonies; book ahead.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Higashiyama & Gion; flights via Google Flights.