Chourakukan
Gion, Kyoto
Source: chourakukan.co.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Chourakukan is a Western-style mansion that Murai Kichibei, the "tobacco king", built in 1909 to receive guests, and it was named an Important Cultural Property in 2024. Its cafe serves seasonal desserts in six rooms, each in a different style, with a Bösendorfer piano that a pianist plays on some days.
Insider tip
Most cafe seats go to whoever walks in, though some days have bookable slots. Desserts are ¥900 to ¥2,280, and a service charge is added. Afternoon tea starts at ¥6,500 a person and needs a booking for two or more.
What's on near Chourakukan
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Chourakukan, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Okera Mairi at Yasaka Shrine
をけら詣り
Time Purification rite 15:00, New Year's Eve rite 19:00, the fire burns through the night Station Gion bus stop (City Bus 206), 1 min walk
After the New Year's Eve rite, the sacred okera fire burns in lanterns all night, and you light a rope from it and swing it in circles all the way home so it stays lit. People use the flame for the household altar lamp and to cook New Year zoni soup, and the burnt rope is kept in the kitchen as a charm against fire.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Karuta Hajime at Yasaka Shrine
かるた始め式
Station Gion bus stop (City Bus 206), 1 min walk
The first karuta card game of the year is played as an offering on the Noh stage at Yasaka Shrine, followed by a show of Heian court costume.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Gion Matsuri
祇園祭
Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan)
Yasaka Shrine's festival takes over Kyoto for the whole of July, from the opening rites on the 1st to the purification at Eki Shrine on the 31st. The days you'll want to plan round are the float processions on 17 and 24 July and the three yoiyama evenings before each, and there are paid seats on Oike-dori for both processions.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Gion-sha Kangetsu-sai at Yasaka Shrine
祇園社観月祭（八坂神社）
Time From 19:00 Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan)
On the harvest moon night the dance stage of Yasaka Shrine hosts court dance, gagaku, koto and taiko by lantern light, and waka poems are read aloud.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Cherry Blossom Light-up at Maruyama Park
桜ライトアップ（円山公園）
Time 18:00 to 22:00 Station Gion bus stop (City Bus 206), right by the stop
The park's big weeping cherry, Gion no Yozakura, is lit every evening through the blossom. The tree is the second generation, tended by the 16th Sano Toemon.
lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0 Nearby
Around Gion
The teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Gion grew up as the town at the gate of Yasaka Shrine, and it's still where Kyoto's geiko and maiko live and work. Gion Kobu, the largest of the city's five geiko districts, keeps its teahouses along Hanamikoji-dori, and the Shirakawa canal runs through Gion Shinbashi to the north. Go early for the shrine and the temples behind it. Come back at dusk for the streets.
Gion has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 6 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 4 neighbourhoods, 3 cafes, 2 landmarks, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Gion guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Chourakukan?
- 604 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市東山区八坂鳥居前東入円山町604).
- How do I get to Chourakukan?
- The nearest station is Gion-Shijo (Keihan). Chourakukan is in Gion, Kyoto.
- How much does Chourakukan cost?
- Chourakukan is mid-range, marked ¥¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Chourakukan?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Chourakukan?
- Weekday afternoons.
Stay near Chourakukan
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