I really appreciate this sub because it’s a great way to find information that’s more than just what “SimplySally” has advised her 5M viewers.
That said, I’m joining a friend on her trip to Japan in a few weeks and realized she has us scheduled to go to the Gion District on a Saturday night. Reading about how awful tourism has been there lately, and having lived in a few cities that regularly experience the same level of influx, are there any areas we can go that will be less crazy? I don’t mind walking down busy streets if my friend wants to experience that, but hoping to find a relatively quieter part to check out the stands and catch a show. Does such an area exist?
by saminsocks
5 comments
Disclaimer: This is completely subjective and comparing todays Kyoto with the Kyoto I know from the late 90s might not be fair. Still, the atmosphere and spritualism which made Kyoto famous is mostly gone imho.
Gion on a Saturday night is truly as chaotic as you‘ve heard about. Especially Hanamikoji Street can feel like Disneyland with crowds from wall to wall. Tourists are walking even into private alleyways, were chasing geisha for photos, and disrupt local life. The city of Kyoto and the residents have responded by installing signs to prohibit entry into private lanes and violations can be fined with 10K Yen.
Kyoto in general is very crowded so the best ways is not to go to the main Night-POIs and if you want to to, go there in the early morning. Even in the early morning, you will have tourists and especially „influencers“ are walking around e.g. Ninnen- and Sannenzaka in order to get a perfect picture or video.
Still, being there Off-season will help an not to go to the historic streets around the main POIs.
I was in Gion beginning of march around 6pm. Barely people there. Just get of the main rodes (do not go in private roads). Many area’s where it’s busy has like 1 alley/street parallel where nobody walks.
The scenic parts of Gion are always crowded, weekday or weekend. Early mornings and late nights are much calmer but obviously involves waking up early / staying out late.
> catch a show
What show is this? If it’s a ticketed show with assigned seating, then the venue will never be more crowded than it is designed to be.
Go after 8pm when people are all having dinner or gone home. Its almost deserted
I was there one Saturday/Sunday afternoon. I didn’t plan to go there to begin with so I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. I was simply walking along Kamogawa, noticed a crowded block, so I made a turn. I followed the crowd into alleys etc. and there are a lot of security staff or volunteers directing the crowd and traffic. I feel bad for people who live in the area. Some cars took a while to get out of there. So I left and went back to the river bank.
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