More Than Just Cherry Blossoms

This district grew around Yasaka Shrine, eventually evolving into Kyoto’s premier entertainment quarter and a hotbed of political plotting.

Walking on Hanami-kōji

Dodge photo-snapping tourists to find the best-preserved wooden machiya townhouses. If you are very lucky, you might spot a real maiko.

Samurai in the Teahouses

During the 1860s, revolutionaries hid in these ochaya. Maiko like Ikumatsu used their wits to distract the shogunate police searching for them.

Twilight in Kyoto

The area is most beautiful at dusk when the lanterns light up. Do not try to afford dinner inside an ochaya.