Short version. Hanamikoji, Gion's main street, is a public road. Many of the narrow lanes off it are private. Stay out of lanes signed "no entry", and never photograph a maiko without asking.
Public street, private lanes
Around Hanamikoji, public roads and private lanes are mixed together. The private lanes have homes and teahouses on them, and residents had problems with groups of tourists walking through.
In May 2024 the Gion Minamigawa district council put "no entry" signs at both ends of one private lane, Kosode-koji. Local TV reported that anyone who goes in without permission will be asked to pay ¥10,000.
How to behave
- Walk on Hanamikoji and other public streets; if a lane has a "no entry" sign, don't go in.
- Don't photograph a maiko without her permission. Kyoto City's manners campaign lists this among its main requests to visitors.
- Don't touch maiko. Residents told local TV that tourists touching maiko was one of the problems behind the signs.
- Kyoto City also asks visitors not to smoke while walking in the street.
Why this matters
Gion is a place where people live and work, not a theme park. Kyoto City and the local council run manners campaigns here, including leaflets handed out on Hanamikoji.
- Kansai TV (KTV) news, 30 May 2024: ktv.jp/news/feature/240529-maiko/
- Kyoto City, manners campaigns for visitors: city.kyoto.lg.jp/sankan/page/0000214071.html