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Gion (祇園 or 祇をん) is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originally developed in the
middle ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine.
This part of Kyoto has two hanamachi (geisha districts): Gion Kobu and Gion
Higashi. Despite the considerable decline in the number of geisha in Gion in the
last one hundred years, it is still famous for the preservation of forms of traditional
architecture and entertainment. Part of this district has been declared a national
historical preservation district.
There is a popular misconception that Gion was a red-light district. However, as it
was a geisha district, and as geisha are entertainers, not prostitutes, Gion is not,
and never was, a red-light district. Shimabara was Kyoto's red-light district.
middle ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine.
This part of Kyoto has two hanamachi (geisha districts): Gion Kobu and Gion
Higashi. Despite the considerable decline in the number of geisha in Gion in the
last one hundred years, it is still famous for the preservation of forms of traditional
architecture and entertainment. Part of this district has been declared a national
historical preservation district.
There is a popular misconception that Gion was a red-light district. However, as it
was a geisha district, and as geisha are entertainers, not prostitutes, Gion is not,
and never was, a red-light district. Shimabara was Kyoto's red-light district.