Gion

Gion (祇園) is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originally developed in the middle ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine.

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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.

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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.

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Kyoto: :This page is about the city Kyoto. For the convention see Kyoto Protocol....

Japan: For other uses, see Japan (disambiguation)....

Yasaka Shrine: Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, yasakajinja), once called Gion Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan. Situated at the east end of Shijo-dori (Fourth Avenue), it was built originally in 656....

Gion related Images and Photos (experimental)

The "Gion" Festival Takes Place at Kyoto Every July

Neck Surrounded by Collar of Kimono Og Geisha in Gion Kyoto Japan