Charming traditional street in Kyoto, Japan featuring historic wooden houses and local shops.Culture

Gion Shirakawa

祇園白川

Gion, Kyoto · 京都

A short stretch of canal in Gion lined with wooden machiya restaurants, stone bridges and willows — separate from the busier Hanamikoji street a block south.

Why it’s worth it

It is the most photographed lane in Kyoto and still calm at dusk, when the lanterns come on before the restaurants fill. Photographing geiko and maiko on the private lanes is restricted and fined; keep to the canal.

CategoryCulture
AreaGion
HoursBest at dusk
canaleveningmachiya

Nearby

Walking distance from Gion Shirakawa

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Photo by Bert Mulder on Pexels