Yakasa Shrine & Gion at Night in Kyoto, Japan

I remember visiting Yakasa Shrine with my family one winter over ten years ago. In our parent’s house is a picture of my brother and myself on the steps leading to the shrine’s gate. I also remember Dad showing us how to properly wash our hands at the water basin, a symbol of purifying yourself before entering a Shinto shrine. When you enter a Shinto shrine, stop at the chozubachi (water basin). Wikipedia explains: Over the chozubachi, take the wooden dipper in your right hand and fill it with water. Pour the water over your left hand. Then take the dipper in your left and pour water over your right. Third, pour some water from the dipper into the cupped palm of your left hand. You can rinse your mouth with this water and dry your hands with a handkerchief if you’d like.

Tips:

*Yasaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan

*The shrine was also once known as “Gion Shrine” and is one of the neighborhood’s most iconic landmarks

*Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district

*The best chance to see geisha is at dusk, especially on weekends and holidays

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Gion (祇園) is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originally developed in the Middle Ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travelers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. Part of this district has been declared a national historical preservation district. Gion remains dotted with old-style Japanese houses called machiya, which roughly translated means “townhouse”, some of which are ochaya or “tea houses”. These are traditional establishments where the patrons of Gion—from the samurai of old to modern-day businessmen—have been entertained by geiko and geisha in an exclusive manner for centuries.

Inside the ochaya is a private and closed world where the evening’s entertainment may include cocktails, conversation, and games as well as traditional Japanese music, singing and dancing. To this day, geiko and maiko (geisha in training) in full regalia can still be seen in the evenings as they move about through the streets of Gion to and from their various engagements at the ochaya (all info via Wikipedia).