Shrine
Daishogun Hachiman Gu
Kamigyo•436m(5 min walk)
Number of goshuin available: 1
Kamishichiken
上七軒Kyoto
Culture
What makes this place special?
At a Glance
Kamishichiken is the oldest hanamachi, or geisha district, in Kyoto, just east of Kitano Tenman-gū shrine. Its name means 'Seven Upper Houses' and refers to seven teahouses said to have been built from materials left over from the rebuilding of Kitano Shrine in the Muromachi period.
The district lies in the Nishijin area, known for hand-woven textiles, and its quiet streets are lined with dark wooden ochaya teahouses and okiya geisha houses. Its crest is a ring of skewered dango dumplings. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a great tea gathering at Kitano, the teahouses offered him dango and were warmly praised. Each spring the Kitano Odori dance is performed here, and the Baikasai plum blossom festival at Kitano Tenman-gū features an open-air tea ceremony served by geisha and maiko.
Goshuin within a short walk
Temples, shrines and castles near Kamishichiken that give goshuin, closest first.
How do I visit?
Visit Duration
60 minutes
Community
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