Kyoto, Japan: Gion's Shirakawa Street

Gion is the place to go to spot some geishas but while that's not guaranteed, the picturesque stream and bridges in Gion are bound to be there when you visit. The views remind me of canal city of Amsterdam.

Just wander along the streets of Shirakawa and be transported back in time.

More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).

Related Posts:

My Japan Itinerary (December 2012)

Japan Day 7 – Kyoto, Day 2:

• Check out and deposit luggage at reception
• Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass
• Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Toji Temple
• Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
• Ginkakuji Temple
• Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
• Train to Osaka

Kyoto, Japan: Gion District

Fancy some Kabuki?

Gion is the most famous of districts in Kyoto. It's THE place to spot a geisha or two! Unfortunately, try as I might to weave in and out of the streets, I did not manage to spot any. Maybe you'll have better luck than me when you visit!

Apart from having tons of things to eat, there are tons of things to buy.

I didn't see any geikos (professional geishas) or maikos (apprentice geishas) and the closest I got were seeing ladies clad in kimonos!

At the end of a street is the entrance to Kiyomezu-dera Temple

And at another end, the entrance to Yasaka Shrine

Wandering, looking for some geishas!

The landmark Minamiza Kabuki Theatre which starts to fill up closer to show times.

 

I am not the only one who finds the theatre especially pretty today!

 

This is the regular shopping street in Gion with many specialty shops.

Never get lost with the district maps.

Next up, you'll see why Gion reminds me of Amsterdam!

More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).

Gion/ Kawara-machi Area

Related Posts:

My Japan Itinerary (December 2012)

Japan Day 7 – Kyoto, Day 2:

• Check out and deposit luggage at reception
• Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass
• Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Toji Temple
• Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
• Ginkakuji Temple
• Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
• Train to Osaka

Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion

While looking for my Match-a, I learnt that not all that is green is matcha.

In Japan, I got crazy over Matcha which is basically green tea powder. The better the Matcha, the more bitter-sweet it is (to me at least). I'm not sure if I really like the taste of Matcha or I really like green (I went nuts over pistache in Europe). It makes it really easy to make food choices, since I'll just have the green whatever.

Here's  Matcha cream puff ala Bread Papa

Then I got greedy even before I finished my Matcha puff...

...roasted biscuits! I've never tried them fresh!

Then a traditional pastries shop smack in Gion! Got to give it a go!

How cute is this.

I don't think everything that's green is matcha. You've been warned.

P.S. Matcha Kit Kat. Grab a few bags if you see them. And thank me later.

More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).

Gion/ Kawara-machi Area

Related Posts:

My Japan Itinerary (December 2012)

Japan Day 7 – Kyoto, Day 2:

• Check out and deposit luggage at reception
• Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass
• Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Toji Temple
• Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
• Ginkakuji Temple
• Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
• Train to Osaka