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!
Really glad I got to experience a tiny piece of it last year. Kyoto you truly are a marvel to behold.
UPDATE! As this entry is getting a lot of attention at the moment, I feel like I need to add this update. By no means will the entire Gion district be closed off, the limitations cover only few smaller streets close to the Hanamikoji Street, a famous and historic shopping area of Kyoto. As far as I understand it, the streets that will be off limits are: 南園小路(Nanyuan alley), 弥生小路 (Yayoi Koji), 西花見小路通 (Nishihuami alleyway), 西松竹小路 (West Songzhu Trail), 松竹小路 (Shochiku Koji), 東松竹小路 (Dongsongzhu alley), 初音小路 (Hatsunekoji), 中路 (Middle Road) and few more smaller ones. Below is a map that should give you a rough idea of what’s included. As you can clearly see these are just smaller residential streets so pretty easy to remember. Hope this helps!
Map of the streets that are being closed off for tourists in the Gion district of Kyoto, Japan
Thanks for reading, I hope this article was helpful. While you’re here check out these prints that might inspire your Japanese wanderlust even more!
Best,
Simon
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is located in Kyoto, Japan, specifically in the Arashiyama district, which is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and cultural sites.
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Simon Migaj is an experienced editorial photographer, 3D artist, and art director who specializes in architectural and lifestyle photography, as well as architectural visualization and 3D animation. With 20 years of experience, Simon has won multiple awards and worked with notable clients such as KPF, Continental, Berkeley Group, The Boundary, Thomas Phifer and Partners, Joseph Dirand Architecture, Rafael Vinoly Architects, Grain London, Recent Spaces, Cameron Design House, Northacre London, Cityscape Digital and many more. His images are used by Booking.com, Forbes, Canva, BuzzFeed, GoDaddy, Adobe, Trello, Grain London, The Boundary, Android Central and many more.
Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of Kyoto's Gion district with this enchanting print. Transporting you to a world where tradition meets modernity, this artwork features a graceful geisha woman as she navigates the labyrinthine streets of Gion. Bathed in the soft glow of lanterns and framed by the iconinc Yasaka Pagoda, the geisha's presence exudes elegance and curiosity.
Add a touch of Kyoto's mystique and the enigmatic journey of a geisha to your space with this print. Whether you're a wanderlust dreamer or an avid admirer of Eastern aesthetics, this artwork is a testament to the enduring beauty of Gion and the captivating spirit of exploration.
The image is available as a unframed print. Each photography is printed on an archive quality, semi-gloss photographic paper, giving the image vibrancy and "punch", assuring a great look every time!
This image has been captured in Kyoto in Japan and processed by Simon Migaj
