Introducing a fun kimono date course where couples rent kimonos in Gion!

If you’ve chosen Kyoto for a couple’s date course in sightseeing, how about renting kimonos and taking a stroll around the city?

With you in an elegant kimono and him looking surprised, let’s create some beautiful memories together. We’ll recommend the best spots in Kyoto, centered around Gion.

If You Rent Kimonos in Gion, the Recommended Date Course is Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu Temple!

The route from Gion to Kiyomizu Temple is perfect for a couple’s kimono stroll. Let’s start from “Yasaka Shrine.”

Yasaka Shrine is easily accessible by train, just a 5-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or a 10-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line. If you’re taking the bus, get off at Gion, and it’s right there.

From Rikawafuku Kimono Gion Store, it’s a 3-minute walk to Yasaka Shrine, or a 4-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station.

Yasaka Shrine’s highlights include “Bijogaisya” – known as a beauty spot where applying “beauty water” is said to enhance your beauty. “Okuninushi Shrine” is known for matchmaking.

It’s a must-visit spot for a couple’s date course.

From Yasaka Shrine, walk down “Nene-no-Michi” to reach “Kodai-ji Temple.”

This temple, belonging to the Rinzai Zen sect, was built by Hideyoshi’s wife (Nene) to commemorate both her and Hideyoshi. It’s a charming place, not just during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons but also during the projection mapping events at night.

Exploring a temple with projection mapping during a couple’s kimono stroll in Kyoto is quite fashionable!

On the west side of “Nene-no-Michi,” there’s “Ishibei-Koji Street.” This street is lined with traditional Kyoto townhouses and has cobblestone streets.

If you rent kimonos in Gion for your couple’s date, you might find yourselves naturally holding hands on “Nene-no-Michi.”

Walking down “Nene-no-Michi” and then “Ninenzaka” will lead you to “Yasaka-no-To Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple).” It’s a popular spot for photos, so take a couple’s shot with your kimonos.

After capturing beautiful kimono photos as a couple, let’s head to the “Kiyomizu Sannei-Zaka Museum!”

Located halfway between Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, this museum houses craftworks from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. It’s peaceful, making it a perfect spot for couples.

They hold permanent exhibitions as well as special exhibitions.

There’s also a museum shop attached. It’s an unexpected hidden gem for Kyoto sightseeing.

Next, let’s head to Sannen-zaka (San’neizaka). It’s a path that connects Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji Temple, Hokan-ji Temple, and Kiyomizu Temple, perfect for some souvenir shopping. Its nostalgic atmosphere is perfect for a kimono-clad couple’s date.

If you’re looking to rent kimonos for a couple’s date in Gion, check out the Kyoto Kimono Couple Plan.

Finally, let’s head to the UNESCO World Heritage site, “Kiyomizu Temple.” A recommended spot for your date is the “Jishu Shrine” located next to Kiyomizu Temple. It’s dedicated to the deity of good matchmaking, and there’s a “Love Fortune-Telling Stone” within the grounds. Let’s pray for a wonderful bond between you and your partner.

Introducing a Half-Day Date Course After Renting Kimonos in Gion!

Rent kimonos for a couple in the afternoon and enjoy Gion for your date. After arriving in Kyoto in the morning and storing your luggage at the hotel, you can fully enjoy Gion sightseeing.

Access to the Gion area is excellent from various hotel areas in Kyoto, such as Kyoto Station, Gion Shijo, and Kawaramachi.

It’s quite exciting! If you’ve been feeling that your recent couple’s dates have become routine, try experiencing the mature charm of Gion.

One recommended Gion sightseeing course is watching Kabuki at Gion Corner Kyoto.

Gion Corner is a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station, right nearby if you’re coming from Keihan Electric Railway Shijo Station, and about a 15-minute taxi ride from JR Kyoto Station.

From Rikawafuku Kimono Gion Store, it’s a 4-minute walk to Gion Shijo Station, and from there, it’s about a 5-minute walk after crossing the Kamogawa River, so it’s approximately a 10-minute walk!

From March 2 to 26, 2019, “Bando Tamasaburo Special Performance” will be held at Gion Corner.

Kyoto Kimono Rental Rikawafuku Kimono offers a convenient location for Gion, and you can enjoy the performance from the third-floor seats for 6,000 yen.

Additionally, Gion Corner features not only classical Kabuki but also “Takizawa Kabuki ZERO.”

After watching the play, how about dinner around the Pontocho area? It’s a 5-6 minute walk from Gion Corner.

There are plenty of charming restaurants like “Minasuya MONAMI,” “Pontocho Kisui,” and “Kyomachiya Italian RONKOSU” with an atmosphere that ex

After savoring delicious cuisine, take a leisurely stroll along the Kamogawa River together.

Renting kimonos can also elevate the experience. After watching Kabuki and enjoying a stylish meal, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to the time when you first met!

Introducing the Fushimi Inari Course after Exploring Gion in Kimono!

When exploring Gion in kimonos during the spring season, you must visit “Hanamikoji.”

On both sides of the stone-paved street, you’ll find traditional townhouses, teahouses, and restaurants.

Access by subway: 4 minutes’ walk from Gion Shijo Station, 6 minutes’ walk from Kawaramachi Station, and 9 minutes’ walk from Sanjo Keihan Station. By bus: 3 minutes’ walk from Gion or 4 minutes’ walk from Shijo Keihan-mae.

North of “Hanamikoji,” you’ll find “Gion Shirakawa.”

This area is a Traditional Machiya Preservation District in Kyoto, and “Tatsumi Bridge” is a spot where dramas are filmed. “Tatsumi Daimyojin” is a shrine where geiko and maiko (traditional Japanese entertainers) visit to pray.

Walking southward along Hanamikoji, you’ll reach the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Tofukuji School, “Tofukuji Temple.” They display a reproduction of “Fujin Raijin-zu” by Tawaraya Sotatsu.

On the east side of Tofukuji Temple, you’ll find “Yasui Konpiragu Shrine,” which is recommended for couples on a Kyoto tour.

It’s a power spot for cutting off bad relationships and fostering good ones. Write your wishes on a symbol tag and pass through the “Relationship Cutting and Bonding Monument.” You might want to cut ties with your ex-partner.

To get from Tofukuji Temple to Fushimi Inari Taisha, use the Keihan Main Line. It’s about an 8-minute ride from Gion Shijo Station to Fushimi Inari Station.

If you take a taxi, you’ll arrive in about 10 minutes. Fushimi Inari Taisha is expected to be crowded during the daytime. Around 6:00 PM is recommended.

Try passing through the vermilion “Senbon Torii” gates, spotting various fox statues, and fully enjoying your kimono date.

Moving from Gion to Arashiyama is Also Recommended!

From Gion and Kiyomizu area to Arashiyama Station, take the Hankyu train from Kawaramachi, and you’ll arrive in about 25 minutes by train!

Surprisingly, Gion and Arashiyama are quite close!

Rent a kimono in Gion and visit “Seiryo-ji Temple.” Seiryo-ji is a Tendai sect temple with beautiful gardens called “Soami’s Garden” and “Kirishima Garden.” It’s perfect for strolling with your partner. During special night openings in spring and autumn, it’s illuminated and truly breathtaking.

To access Seiryo-ji, take Kyoto City Bus to Jingu-michi and walk for 3 minutes. It’s a 5-minute walk from Subway Higashiyama Station. After leaving Seiryo-ji, you’ll see a sign that says “Koigaido (LOVEROAD)” as you walk along.

From Seiryo-ji, head to “Chion-in.” Chion-in, the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect, boasts impressive structures such as the “Sanmon” gate, “Goei-do Hall” (main hall), and “Seishi-do Hall.”

If you want to have a kimono date in Kyoto, you should visit “Maruyama Park” from Chion-in. This pond garden with seasonal flowers is perfect for a romantic stroll. Take your time walking through.

When you leave Maruyama Park and reach Yasaka Shrine, it’s time to move to Arashiyama. It’s a short walk from Yasaka Shrine to the bus stop “Gion,” but taking a train is recommended due to expected bus crowding.

It’s about a 10-minute walk to Hankyu Kawaramachi Station from Gion. From there, you can take a direct train to Arashiyama!

Upon arrival in Arashiyama, head to the bamboo grove path north of Togetsukyo Bridge. If you’re on a kimono date, you’ll want to use a rickshaw.

Get insider tips from the rickshaw puller and ask for a commemorative photo. It’ll be an exciting experience.

In Arashiyama, there’s the “Nonomiya Shrine,” a power spot for matchmaking. Nearby, you’ll find scenic temples like “Tenryu-ji” and “Jojakko-ji.” If you extend your visit to “Daikaku-ji,” you can enjoy the natural beauty of Arashiyama even more.

Nanzen-ji and Kyoto Sightseeing in Spring

When it comes to cherry blossom spots, “Nanzen-ji” is a must for couples. It’s conveniently located within a 10-minute walk from the city bus stop “Nanzen-ji Eikando Michi” and a 10-minute walk from Keage Subway Station.

The Sanmon gate of Nanzen-ji, known for its breathtaking view by Isshin Goemon, is adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms. In early April, around 50 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory.

From Nanzen-ji, take a taxi to Heian Shrine. It’s just about a 5-minute ride.

If you prefer taking the bus, you can go from Nanzen-ji Eikando Michi to Okazaki Park Museum of Art and Heian Jingu-mae, then get off and walk for about 5 minutes. “Heian Shrine” is a Kyoto cherry blossom spot that has also served as the setting for Yasunari Kawabata’s “The Old Capital.” The weeping cherry trees in Nanshin-en Garden are a sight to behold.

About a 15-minute walk from Heian Shrine, you’ll find “Konkai Komyo-ji Temple.” The area around the main gate and the cherry trees along the stone steps are stunning. From Konkai Komyo-ji Temple, it’s a 10-minute walk to “Shinnyodo Temple.” The cherry tree next to the main hall is beautiful.

Kyoto has many other cherry blossom spots to offer. “Chion-in,” “Kodai-ji,” “Kiyomizu-dera,” “Bishamon-do,” and more await you in spring. Be sure to rent a kimono and enjoy a date with your partner.