Miyagawacho
Gion, Kyoto
Miyagawacho, by the Kamo River, is one of Kyoto's five geiko districts, with 27 teahouses in its association. Its name is said to come from the stretch of river below Shijo bridge where Yasaka Shrine's portable shrines are washed during the Gion Matsuri. The district's geiko and maiko dance the Kyo Odori each April, the 75th in 2026, in a new Kaburenjo that opened in 2025.
Insider tip
The autumn dances, Mizue-kai, ran 8 to 11 October in 2026. On 11 January, Miyagawacho maiko hand out lucky bamboo at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine from 20:00. Exit 1 of Gion-Shijo Station is about seven minutes' walk away.
What's on at Miyagawacho
Upcoming events at Miyagawacho and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Kyo Odori
京おどり
Time 13:00 and 16:00, about an hour each Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan Line), 7 min walk
Miyagawacho's spring dances, written new each year, end with every geiko and maiko in the district on stage for the Miyagawa Ondo. Both ticket types include tea.
Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0 Mizue-kai Recital of Miyagawacho
みずゑ會（宮川町）
Time 16:00, plus 13:00 at the weekend Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan), 7 min walk
Miyagawacho's geiko and maiko show the classical dances they've been practising, and the finale is Miyagawa Kouta, a song of the district through the seasons. Seats were ¥10,000 downstairs and ¥8,000 upstairs in 2026.
Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0 Toka Ebisu at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
十日ゑびす大祭
Station Shijo-Kawaramachi bus stop (City Bus), 10 min walk
Kyoto Ebisu Shrine's big New Year festival runs from 8 to 12 Jan, and around the 10th you can get lucky bamboo branches for business. In 2026 the shrine stayed open all night on the 9th and 10th.
masato_photo, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kyushoin Hidden Cultural Properties Opening
久昌院 京都非公開文化財特別公開
Time 9:00 to 16:00 (reception hours) Station Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan) about 8 min walk
A Kennin-ji sub-temple opens its hojo hall, the Takamatsu-ken study, a tea room and a Nagashino battle screen in the 62nd Kyoto Hidden Cultural Properties programme.
663highland, CC BY 2.5 Obuku-cha New Year Tea at Rokuharamitsu-ji
皇服茶
Time 09:00 to 16:00 Station Gojozaka bus stop, 10 min walk
Tea brewed with water drawn on New Year's Day, with a small plum and kelp, is served at Rokuharamitsu-ji in the Obuku-cha custom started by the priest Kuya.
Hikomi Moneru, CC BY 3.0 Smaller local events nearby
Higashiyama Night Walk guided by Heritage Hub Kyoto Festival
Listed evenings, 19:00 to 21:30. Next: Fri 23 Oct · Matsubara-bashi Park, Gion
Evening guided walk of historic Higashiyama streets, meeting at Matsubara Bridge. Guided in Japanese only, booking required, 10 places a day. Cancelled in bad weather.
¥3,850 (children 12 and under ¥1,980) · 19:00 to 21:30 · Map · Source: Heritage Hub Kyoto · 京都東山ナイトウォーク
Genji Monogatari Kawaranoin and Gojo old shrines walk (Shimogyo B) Festival
Listed days, 9:30 Oct to Dec, 13:00 Jan to Feb. Next: Wed 28 Oct · Matsubara-bashi Park, Gion
Guided walk linked to the Tale of Genji and the old Kawaranoin site, meeting at Matsubara Bridge. In Japanese only, booking required, 10 places a day.
¥3,500 (elementary and under ¥1,750) · 9:30 to 12:00 (Oct to Dec), 13:00 to 15:30 (Jan to Feb) · Map · Source: Heritage Hub Kyoto · 【京都下京B】『源氏物語』ゆかりの河原院跡と河原町五条の古社寺・旧跡めぐり
Live music nearby
Nearby
Around Gion
The teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Gion grew up as the town at the gate of Yasaka Shrine, and it's still where Kyoto's geiko and maiko live and work. Gion Kobu, the largest of the city's five geiko districts, keeps its teahouses along Hanamikoji-dori, and the Shirakawa canal runs through Gion Shinbashi to the north. Go early for the shrine and the temples behind it. Come back at dusk for the streets.
Gion has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 6 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 4 neighbourhoods, 3 cafes, 2 landmarks, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Gion guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Miyagawacho?
- The nearest station is Gion-Shijo (Keihan). Miyagawacho is in Gion, Kyoto.
- How much does Miyagawacho cost?
- Nothing. Miyagawacho is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Miyagawacho?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Miyagawacho?
- April, for the Kyo Odori.
Stay near Miyagawacho
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