Kyoto's Gion district closed off
A part of Kyoto's Gion district is getting officially closed off for tourists. Due to the lack of respect, cases of herrassement towards the performers and their maiko and general trespassing, the local authorities have decided that the situation is getting out of control thus the private alleys and areas around teahouses from this point on (April 2024) will only be accessible to the geisha, their clients and local residents.
All images © Simon Migaj studio
We really are hopeless as a species. I’m often baffled by how easy it is for people (especially westerners, let’s be honest about it) to act in a way that they themselves would not have appreciated in their own home. If it’s something you wouldn’t like to happen to you, don’t do it, that’s a great rule of thumb that you should consider when travelling.
Really glad I got to experience a tiny piece of it last year. Kyoto you truly are a marvel to behold.
UPDATE! As this entry is getting a lot of attention at the moment, I feel like I need to add this update. By no means will the entire Gion district be closed off, the limitations cover only few smaller streets close to the Hanamikoji Street, a famous and historic shopping area of Kyoto. As far as I understand it, the streets that will be off limits are: 南園小路(Nanyuan alley), 弥生小路 (Yayoi Koji), 西花見小路通 (Nishihuami alleyway), 西松竹小路 (West Songzhu Trail), 松竹小路 (Shochiku Koji), 東松竹小路 (Dongsongzhu alley), 初音小路 (Hatsunekoji), 中路 (Middle Road) and few more smaller ones. Below is a map that should give you a rough idea of what’s included. As you can clearly see these are just smaller residential streets so pretty easy to remember. Hope this helps!
