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Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Kyoto moments... Best ways to get there Kyoto Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/nightlife  Accommodation/Discounts |
"Evening began to fall. "The Gion music will soon begin," said the elder daughter. "I can't imagine living any place where I would be out of earshot of the Gion music in summer." That rules out the rest of the world, and even most of Kyoto, other than a few square blocks."
Alex Kerr, Lost Japan
Yasaka (Gion) Shrine | Gion Festival Maruyama park | Pleasure quarters | Pontocho | Teramachi | Shijo Street Shopping
Pleasure quarters: Kabuki, Geisha, Ochaya
After a century of warfare and destruction, Kyoto began to enjoy peace when the city came under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The current geisha quarters, ochaya (teahouses) and the theaters are still located exactly where they sprang up on each side of the Kamogawa river from the late 1500's. If you want to know more information about Geisha, Kabuki, or Ochaya, there is quite detailed information in the Yamasa Student Network (password not required).
The most famous of the Ochaya is probably the Ichiriki Ochaya on the corner of Shijo-dori and Hanamikoji-dori streets. About 300 years old, this teahouse is noted for its traditional architecture and atmosphere, and also for the history that has occured here. The famous story of the Forty-Seven Ronin (masterless samurai) and the plotting against the Tokugawa Shogunate that led to the revolution known as the Meiji Restoration have close links to the Ichiriki Ochaya.
Most of the Ochaya in Kyoto were rebuilt after the devastating fires that accompanied the warfare of 1864 when Kyoto again became a battleground. The teahouses are mostly wooden, 2-story buildings of traditional design, with protruding windows. The windows have lattices (bengara goshi) on the ground floor and reed screens (sudare) on the second floors. These are to ensure the privacy of the guests. There is usually a small curtain over the entrance (these are called noren and usually have the name of the teahouse written on them). For further privacy, bamboo slats called inu yarai (dog screens) keep people (and dogs) away from the ground floor windows and walls.
In 1712, the ochaya of Gion were given licenses permitting Geisha entertainment by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Today there are just over 100 remaining, and several entire streets (primarily in Shirakawa and Gion) are preserved. In 1976, the Kyoto City government finally bagan to prevent the destruction of the architectural heritage of the ochaya and issued architectural guidelines for 7 distinct facades. The result is that these are among the few areas of the city where you can still get an idea of what Kyoto used to look like. Kyoto wasn't bombed during WWII, all of the destruction of the cityscape has been in recent years.
On November 8th at 11am each year, geisha and maiko perform a tea ceremony at a stone monument dedicated to the poet Yoshii Isamu (1886-1960). The stone inscription is one of his poems...
No matter what they say,
I love Gion.
Even in my sleep
The sound of water
Flows neneath my pillow
It records his affection for the pleasure quarters and respect for those who continue the tradition. This is in the Shirakawa-minami-dori area, a street that runs parallel to the narrow Shirakawa river (a canal). Its a traditional teahouse area with old houses and blinds. Ask someone on the day and you should be able to locate the ceremony. It is a rare chance to see these arts as language, cost, tradition and a certain exclusiveness usually prevents many foreigners from experiencing such performances.
Yasaka (Gion) Shrine | Gion Festival Maruyama park | Pleasure quarters | Pontocho | Teramachi | Shijo Street Shopping
1: From Kyoto Station:
Take the XXXX subway line to XXXX Station or take the #206 or #207 bus to the Gion bus stop.
2: From Okazaki:
Take the Kaisoku (Express) from JR Okazaki Station to JR Mikawa Anjo (10 minutes) or JR Nagoya Station (28 minutes). Change to a west bound Kodama shinkansen. Then take the XXXX subway line to Shijo Station. As of writing, the tickets cost XXXX yen one way and the journey takes about XXXX minutes not including the train change.
Tours - The Japan Discovery Tours visits the Kyoto Pleasure Quarter
Click here for more information regarding when Discovery visits this destination.
Photographs and contributions
Do you have good photographs or a story to share about Kyoto? Please share it with us.
Bulletin Boards & Newsgroups
Fun/Clubs/Nightlife
Accommodation/Discounts
fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ
Disclaimer and Request:
Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. This site is just a guide, and we advise that you always check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome. Please contact us.
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