Editor’s note: I’ve had the great opportunity to visit Japan twice in the last five years, first in 2016 and again in 2018 and with the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo I wanted to revisit those trips and share some of the pictures that I may or may not have already.
Gion originated as an entertainment area in Kyoto and has become its most well-known geisha district.
Geisha, which means a person of art, are known as geika in Gion, which means a woman of art. The geisha culture has declined considerably in the last century.
Tourists pour into the district hoping to catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko, an apprentice geisha, who can be seen walking the streets to attend parties, engagements or lessons.
However, more recently, there have been complaints about tourists acting like pseudo paparazzi.
The first two photos are from my 2016 visit, the next two photos are from 2018. The last photo is from 2016.
Jared Leone 