Japan Trip 2016: Day 11 Part 3 12 Dec 2016 Mon - Gion (祇園) & Hanamikoji (祇園花見小路通), Kyoto

After Yasaka Shrine, we stopped at Kyosendo (茶房京煎堂), an 80-odd years old Japanese confectionery along Shijo-dori. We needed some traditional Japanese dessert to make our cultural and historical exploration of Kyoto complete. :)

After filling our tummies with delicious sweet desserts, a few steps down the street, we arrived at Gion Hanamikoji. Gion is the famous Geisha district in Kyoto and Hanamaikoji is the most popular area of Gion where its street and side alleys are lined with preserved machiya houses which now functions as restaurants, shops and ochaya (teahouses). If one is lucky, one may see geiko and maiko on their way to or from an engagement from an ochaya.

At the start of Hanamikoji

At the other end of Hanamikoji

Gion Corner

We headed back towards Gion-Shijo Station for our 4th destination of the day, Pontocho.