Gion (2009-04-04)
Seeing the line for the bus to Gion was made up of easily 150 people, we decided to take the subway. The problem is we didn't know to switch to the right train at the correct connecting station and foolishly got off a much farther station which resulted in L-O-N-G walking. As I hobbled back the same way after visiting Gion and got on the subway again to our next destination, my right foot darned near had cramps from all that walking! (The PROPER way to get to Gion is on the bottom of this page)
Gion is made up of mainly three parts: the big shrine, the
Hanamikoji area, and the main shopping street. We didn't check
out the shrine as it would've been pretty predictable to us
anyway. The shopping street is lined with souvenir shops and a
few restaurants that we didn't browse much either. However we
spent most of the day in Hanamikoji
which is lined with rows upon rows of old-fashioned Japanese style
buildings. I reckon 99% of those buildings are restaurants, many
of which without menus serving expensive Japanese degustation Kaiseki
cuisine.
Access to Gion: get off at Shijo on Kyohan Line (京阪電車), walk along
Shijo-dori (Ave) toward East. OR get off at Shijo on subway
Karasuma line, exit the ticket gates and walk over to Hankyo
line (阪急電車) and get tickets for Kawaramachi station (河原町駅). Take
the exit for Gion, walk toward East on Shijo-dori. OR if you have
4 people in your group and stay near the Kyoto Station/Shijo/Gojo area,
take the darned cab, it's faster and cheaper!
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