Photo Spot · Kamishichiken
Kamishichiken 上七軒
Kyoto's oldest geisha district, a short street of teahouses beside Kitano Tenmangu hung with lanterns bearing its five-ball plum crest.
About
Kamishichiken grew up in the 15th century around teahouses built for Kitano Tenmangu, and its main street runs east from the shrine's east gate. Shoot west along the street for a frame of latticed ochaya facades, paper lanterns with the tsunagi-dango crest and the shrine's trees closing the view. It sees a fraction of Gion's crowds, so you can compose without a wall of people; the kaburenjo theatre runs a summer beer garden where you can sit among the geiko.
Highlights
- Teahouse facades with five-ball crest lanterns
- Street framed by Kitano Tenmangu's trees
- Much quieter than Gion
- Plum season (Feb to Mar) at the neighbouring shrine
Tips
- The same etiquette as Gion applies: no blocking or close-up shots of geiko.
- Pair with a Tenjin-san market day (the 25th) at Kitano Tenmangu.
- Lanterns are lit in the evening; arrive around dusk.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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Open in the appNearby
- Tenjin-san Flea Market (Kitano)Market · 160 m away
- Kitano TenmanguShrine · 210 m away
- Funaoka OnsenOnsen & Sento · 1.1 km away
- Funaokayama ParkPark · 1.1 km away
- Yamazaki MenjiroRamen & Noodles · 1.3 km away
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)Temple · 1.3 km away
- Toji-in TempleLocal Secret · 1.3 km away
- JittokuLive Music & Karaoke · 1.3 km away