Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto (Includes Kimono Wearing)
Enjoy participating in a traditional tea ceremony room led by an authentic Kyoto geisha (geiko/maiko). Your tea ceremony host will be a maiko (an apprentice geisha) who will introduce you to this Japanese ritual. The geisha culture was born in Kyoto where young women, called geiko, used to serve tea to pilgrims who are visiting historic temples in Eastern Kyoto. We are the only venue in Kyoto that holds geisha tea ceremony and geisha show every day.
Your once in a lifetime geisha (maiko) tea ceremony experience includes:
- Tea ceremony led by a real geisha (maiko)
- Actual tea ceremony participation in the same room with the geisha (maiko)(not demonstration on the stage)
- Making your own green tea
- Trying Japanese sweets as part of the experience
- Explanation of the history and the traditions of geisha (maiko) and also tea ceremony
- Geisha dance performance
- Kimono wearing opportunity and free kimono rental up to 7 hours
- Opportunities for taking photographs with geisha (maiko) and asking questions to her
- Presence of an interpreter
- Gion walking tour in the historic geisha district
- Discovering the hidden gems of Gion and feeling like a local
As part of their training, the geisha (maiko) in Kyoto learn how to conduct tea ceremony and often hold tea ceremony under sakura trees on special occasions. At Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA, we want to preserve the unique geisha culture of Kyoto by holding the geisha tea ceremony sessions for locals and travelers whenever possible. Come and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience before it is sold out. In this workshop, a Maiko will walk you through step by step of the traditional tea ceremony. This is a ritual-like activity where ceremonial tea is prepared and presented to promote well-being, mindfulness, and harmony. It is also called the Way of the Tea. The tea itself is a powdered green tea and is called Matcha.
Just in case if you were wondering:
- You are allowed to take pictures in the tea ceremony room after the ceremony as well as the other rooms and in front of our unique backdrops
- You are allowed to sit comfortably on the floor (without sitting on your knees on the tatami mat). We also provide bamboo chairs for those who prefer not to sit on the floor
We are confident that this experience will be your best souvenir from Japan. You can easily make a reservation now by choosing the best date for you. Additionally, if you’d like you can reserve a PRIVATE tea ceremony here .
Gion Geisha Performance
- The geisha performance lasts around 45 minutes
- The geisha performance takes place at the traditional Japanese style room of the Geisha Museum conveniently located in the heart of Gion.
- First, the geisha, sometimes apprentice geisha (called maiko), performs her traditional dance in a room with fewer than 20 people
- You are allowed to take pictures during the performance
- After the dance you get to ask geisha questions and you can take a picture with the geisha
- If time left, some audience members get to play simple traditional games with the geisha (e.g. ozashiki asobi)
- There are many genuine geisha artifacts and visuals in the building that explain things you may wonder about the mysterious world of a geisha
- There is an MC hosting the performance who would also explain meaning and symbolism regarding the outfit and dance of the geisha
Gion Walking Tour Route
- We will meet at the Gion Geisha Museum which is on Shijo Street between the historic Minamiza Kabuki theater and the famous Ichiriki Chaya House.
- Walk towards the intersection of Shijo and Hanamikoji street.
- Make a right to the southern part of Hanamikoji Street where the most elite and prestigious teahouses of Kyoto are located.
- We will walk in front of the teahouses and pass by Gion Corner.
- We will then briefly stop by the Kenninji temple and Yasui Konpiragu shrine where we talk about the difference between shrine and temple.
- We will complete our tour at the geisha museum where we started.
The walking tour lasts about 30~45 minutes, just enough to learn what you may be wondering about the mysterious world of geisha and the historic Geisha neighborhoods. Whether it is the geisha kimono, the training of the apprentice geisha or the flaws of the movie “Memoirs of Geisha” you will learn a lot. Walking in the historic Gion geisha district will undoubtedly give you a feeling of time travel where every street has many stories to tell.
Disclaimer: Recently there are many incidents where tourists engage in irresponsible behavior in Gion which include
- Blocking the way of the geisha to take a photo
- Chasing and bothering the geisha
- Touching the geishas kimono, hair, accessories
- Trying to take a selfie with a geisha
- Taking the photo of a geisha when she is with a guest
- Littering on the streets of Gion
- Eating fast food while walking in Gion
- Smoking or drinking alcohol on the streets of Gion
- Sitting on the streets of Gion
Please remember
The geisha are human beings, they are not objects. You have to respect the privacy of the geisha. You have to understand that you endanger yourself and the geisha in the narrow streets of Gion when you come too close. You have to understand that geisha’s are likely on their way to work and they should not be late.
About Us
We own and operate Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA and the Gion Geisha Museum. All of our guides speak fluent English and know how to make you feel at ease by always being patient and smiling constantly. We also provide handouts in different languages in case you have limited language skills. By participating in this tour you will have a local “friend” showing you around rather than being dragged to routine places by a stranger.
We know that travelers neither want a history lecture nor a fast facts trivia. They just want to feel like a local and learn the Japanese view of Geisha and Gion and the history. Our guests also often ask us about the souvenir shops, restrooms, hidden gems, transportation to their next stop and local favorite restaurants. So we prepared the perfect package tour with the best price that will make your trip to Japan extra rewarding.
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