Gion Shirakawa in the Evening, Kyoto, Japan (B)

Initially built in front of Yasaka Shrine, Gion was mainly established for fulfilling the needs of the shrine visitors. Over time, the district has become one of the essentials of Kyoto, as it is the most famous entertainment district where tourists are dying for witnessing and capturing the passing geisha, or locally-called geiko, in the evening.

Not to mention the well-preserved wooden ochaya, or tea houses, high-end restaurants and bars concentrated in the area. Dining and lounging in Gion may not be the right choice for budget-oriented tourists, but fear not. There are other free things to do, especially magnificent views can be enjoyed free of charge and who knows you gonna meet a geiko.

Last spring 2016, I told myself that I had to make it to Gion in the evening when I visited Kyoto. Like many other visitors, I was hoping to spot a geiko somewhere in the area, although some say that it’s not always that easy to find one. Moreover, my friend and I read an announcement on travel tips called “Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto” placed on the wall in our hostel dining room, where Gion Shirakawa is mentioned, especially the cherry blossom trees were illuminated at night until April 4. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).