Cherry blossoms fall like snow — Kyoto’s most romantic corner:: Kansai:: Cherry Blossom Viewing:: Gion White River

Most department stores close in the evening, and shops shut up shop early too. Is there anywhere worth visiting in Kyoto at night? Of course there is — remember Kawaramachi Shijo? It’s a great spot, Up↑！

Opened in 1962, Gion Kouna is located right here. When it was first established, it was because many of Kyoto’s temples and historic sites closed at dusk. Considering that foreign tourists had nowhere to go at night, the authorities created this theater specifically for foreign visitors to enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts.

Walking deeper into Hanamikoji Street, you’ll come across this unique white building that houses a performance venue. Not only is it a must-visit for overseas tourists, but it has also become a popular destination for Japanese visitors from other regions exploring Kyoto. The ticket price isn’t cheap, but within just under an hour, the tightly-packed program includes tea ceremony, koto music, ikebana (flower arrangement), Bunraku puppet theater, gagaku (court music), kyogen (comic theater), and Kyoto dance. Though some performances may be a bit hard to follow, getting a taste — if not full understanding — of Japan’s traditional culture in just one hour is absolutely worth the price. Especially the Bunraku, similar to Taiwan’s glove puppetry, is a highlight not to be missed. Additionally, besides the regular shows, every spring the venue hosts the “Miya Dance,” one of Kyoto’s five major dances, attracting large crowds of tourists.

Not far from Gion Kouna is the White River area, one of the most quintessentially Kyoto and picturesque spots, preserving many machiya-style tea houses from the late Edo period. These traditional Kyoto residences are mostly two-story wooden buildings, exquisitely designed with elegant exteriors...Click to see detailed attraction information

★★★ Extended Reading =Princess Sasa’s Amusement Park:: [Sizzling Summer in Kyoto] Gion · Stroll along Hanamikoji

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