Japan: Kyoto - Gion Corner Cultural Show

Date: 23rd March, 2015

My day of sightseeing across Kyoto began at the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha before returning to the city to visit Kinaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera. And although I felt I had seen enough, I found myself walking towards Gion Corner — a theater that has a daily cultural show showing some Japanese traditions and live theater.

Gion street at night Kyoto — The sun had set over Kyoto

Gion corner Kyoto night — The shows are held inside Yasaka Hall, next to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre

Gion Corner show information — I was on two minds about attending the show. It’s quite pricey ¥3150 (₹1700/$25/€24) and I assumed there wouldn’t be any tickets for the final show.

Gion Corner crowd Kyoto Japan — But it turns out there still a few seats left for the final show. And since I was already in line, I thought why not, and bought myself a ticket

Gion Corner cultural show Kyoto — We all sat down for the show. Other than introductions of each segment in English, everything else would be in Japanese.

Tea making ceremony Kyoto Japan — The show began with a live demonstration of the tea making ceremony by the side of the stage

Gion Corner traditional music Kyoto — While the lady prepared tea, Koto music was playing on main stage while another Japanese art form was being showcased

Flower arrangement Gion Corner Kyoto — The art of ikebana — Japanese flower arrangement

Traditional Japanese music Gion corner — Next up was a Japanese classical music theater called Gagaku. All the music was being performed live with instruments that are all really old.

Japanese theatre demon Kyoto — I couldn’t really remember what the theme of this performance was… but this character looked cool!

Comedy skit Gion corner culural show — There was a comedy skit too. Not that I could understand it.

Maiko dancers Gion corner Kyoto — Next up were the Maiko dancers

Maiko dancer Kyoto Japan — With their doll-like make up

Maiko dancer girls Japan — And their very slow movements. Interesting to watch none the less.

Puppet play Gion corner show Kyoto — My favourite was the puppet play, known as Bunraku

Puppet show Kyoto Japan theater — The men controlling the puppet dressed in all black and did an impressive job of emoting and movements

Here is a video I took using my zoom lens:

And after that, the show was over. It probably lasted about 40 minutes(?). That’s it. Was it worth it? Meh, I don’t know. It is kinda pricey at ¥3150 but at the same time, it is a good way to see Japan’s traditional performing arts all on one stage, even if you can’t understand much of it. I consider it one of those “done it, scratch it off the list” kind of activities in Kyoto.

Gion Corner theater Kyoto Japan — What the theater looks like after everyone had left

White sakura at night Gion Kyoto — I left the hall as well

Gion street night Kyoto Japan — I walked back down the main Gion road which was getting quite empty

As I reached the entrance/exit, I saw people snapping photos and there was some excitement around this dressed up woman.

Geisha Gion corner Kyoto Japan — It was the elusive geisha! She had a smile on her face, but she wasn’t posing for any photos. And so this is all I got. Oh well, I wasn’t going to chase her or annoy her for a photograph.

Kyoto Kamo river night — I walked past Kamo river. It was a chilly night.

Mosburger Kyoto Japan — For dinner, I sat down at Mosburger again and had two beef burgers because I *really* liked their burgers (and I was kinda hungry)

After dinner, I walked all the way back to Shiori-an Guesthouse.

Car parking building Kyoto — Saw this parking building on the way back. The whole thing is automated.

Today was an eventful day. I saw quite a bit, but I was tired. Today was also my last full day in Kyoto. I had to leave for Himeji the next day. But I realized there was much more to see in and around Kyoto. I would wake up early tomorrow morning to visit the famous tourism town of Arashiyama. The impressive Bamboo Forest and the Monkey Park are all in the next few posts.

Next posts in this series:

Japan 2015: Kyoto – Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama

Japan 2015: Kyoto – Monkey Park in Arashiyama

Japan 2015: Kyoto Station, and arriving at Himeji by shinkansen

Japan 2015: Himeji Castle, and the unexpected air show

Japan 2015: Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, leaving Himeji for Tokyo — and my last bullet train ride

Japan 2015: Nakamise street, Senso-ji temple, and Ueno Park sakura at half-bloom

Japan 2015: Ueno Zoo – pandas, a lonely polar bear, and more

Japan 2015: Shibuya – the busiest crossing in the world, and home to a loyal dog

Japan 2015: Nishi-Shinjuku — views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building sky deck

Japan 2015: Shopping in Shinjuku, and Kabukicho

Japan 2015: Denboin garden, near Sensoji Temple