Landmark
Gion
Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Lantern-lit lanes of wooden teahouses where apprentice geiko still hurry to evening appointments.
This guide to Gion in Kyoto follows Oishi Kuranosuke, once retainer to a disgraced samurai lord forced to take his own life, as he arrives in these lanes around 1702 to plan revenge against the official responsible. It traces the elaborate act he puts on at a teahouse called Ichiriki, drinking and gambling until his enemies believe him harmless. Look down Hanamikoji toward dusk for a chance to spot an apprentice geiko hurrying to an appointment.
Audio guides are written and narrated by AI.