Kyoto's Gion district closed off

A part of Kyoto's Gion district is getting officially closed off for tourists. Due to the lack of respect, cases of herrassement towards the performers and their maiko and general trespassing, the local authorities have decided that the situation is getting out of control thus the private alleys and areas around teahouses from this point on (April 2024) will only be accessible to the geisha, their clients and local residents.

All images © Simon Migaj studio

I’m often worried by how easy it is for people to act in a way that they themselves would not have appreciated in their own home. If it’s something you wouldn’t like to happen to you, don’t do it, that’s a great rule of thumb that you should consider when travelling. Let’s do better!