Gion is a mystical place. It is an area of Kyoto that is frozen in time artifactually as well as culturally. While Xenophobia is a problem that Japanese culture faces, it is apparently extremely rampant in the tiny private restaurants of Japan. If you don’t know someone the people in the restaurants will simply ignore you, and if you are a foreigner, well even if you do know someone getting served might be an issue.  That being said I saw no trace of Xenophobia when I ventured the alleyways of the Historic District, but that might have just been me.

The place’s main pathways are very touristy. This is a place that the Japanese come to visit to engage their culture, and gift shops abounded. The main reason for this is that Japanese culture dictates you give gifts to your colleagues or schoolmates after you return from a trip. The gifts don’t have to be expensive or personalized but to not give them is a Major Social Faux pas. 

I was able to navigate the bus system! I surprised myself there.  AH, HA! I found a snack machine! 

Dood the uniforms. So cool.  These pictures mostly speak for themselves! ^_^  More Gion Tommorow.