Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto (Includes Kimono Wearing)

Get a chance to meet a Geisha at a tea ceremony and performance!

Enjoy an authentic traditional tea ceremony hosted by a real Kyoto geisha, also called a geiko, or their apprentice called a maiko! You will be introduced to the unique geisha culture of Kyoto, where young geiko women would serve tea to pilgrims visiting the historic temples in Eastern Kyoto.

The Japanese tea ceremony has served as a form of meditative art for the nobility and samurai from the Edo Period 300 years ago! This centuries-old tradition remains a significant part of geisha culture and training to this day.

Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya is the only venue and cultural experience provider that holds a geisha tea ceremony and geisha show every day!

Book with us online!

All sessions are private for COVID-19 measures.

Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto

Lasts Approximately 90-120 minutes (whole package)

Inclusions:

1. Geisha Tea Ceremony
   • A geisha or maiko will be leading a tea ceremony and demonstrating the steps.
2. Matcha Tea and Utensils
   • You will be learning how to prepare matcha with the help of the geisha/maiko.
3. Wagashi or Japanese Sweets
   • The wagashi will feature beautiful designs and seasonal flavors unique to Japan.
4. Kimono
   • Our kimonos come in a variety of designs and sizes to choose from!
5. Presence of an Interpreter
   • You will be accompanied by an interpreter who can translate English and Japanese.
6. Introduction to Geisha Traditions and Tea Ceremony
   • This is so you have a better understanding of the culture.
7. Geisha Dance Performance
   • The geisha/maiko will be giving a short performance for you!
8. Photographs with Geisha
   • There will be many opportunities for you to take pictures, and ask questions about things you’re curious about!
9. Gion Walking Tour in the Historic Geisha District
   • (Currently unavailable due to the COVID-19)

PRICE

2 ~ 5 people : 54,000 yen / Group
6 people+ : 9,000yen / person

This event requires a minimum of two participants. Your booking cannot be changed or canceled for free 7 days before the event date.

If you are having difficulties or questions, contact us at info@mai-ko.com.

Geisha Maiko Tea Ceremony Kyoto

As part of their training, the geisha (maiko) in Kyoto learn how to conduct tea ceremonies and often hold tea ceremonies under sakura trees on special occasions.

At KIMONO TEA CEREMONY KYOTO MAIKOYA, 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 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 powdered green tea and is called Matcha.

Although there will usually be a Maiko available for the tea ceremony and performance, a Geisha will occasionally be booked according to their availability.

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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 also reserve a PRIVATE tea ceremony.

Kyoto Geisha Performance

The Geisha or Maiko Performance will take place in a traditional Japanese-style room at Maikoya Kyoto near the Gion District.

The Geisha, sometimes Maiko, will perform a traditional Japanese dance in a room where you and other guests will be allowed to take pictures. Please keep in mind to take them appropriately without much distraction.

An MC will be present during the performance and explain the meanings and symbolisms of the outfits, and dance of the Geisha.

After the dance, you will be able to ask Geisha questions and take photos with her! There will be multiple genuine Geisha artifacts and displays in the building that you can also ask about. An interpreter will be present to help in case there are any difficulties with communicating.

If there is time left, you and the other audience members will get to play simple traditional games with the Geisha, such as ozashiki asobi.

Gion Walking Tour Route

Lasts approximately 30-45 minutes

Currently unavailable due to COVID-19

You will be meeting with a tour guide outside the Gion Geisha Museum on Shijo Street, between the historic Minamiza Kabuki theater and the famous Ichiriki Chaya House.

From there, you will be guided towards the intersection of Shijo and Hanamikoji Street. Then, you will turn right to the southern part of Hanamikoji Street where the most elite and prestigious teahouses of Kyoto are located. You will be walking along the street lined with teahouses and pass by Gion Center.

There will be a brief stop by the Kenninji Temple and Yasui Konpiragu Shrine where the guide will be explaining the difference between the shrine and a temple.

The tour will be completed at the Geisha Museum where it started.

Gion Walking Tour with Guide

The walking tour is designed to be a short trip that will help you learn more about the mysterious world of the Geisha and the historic neighborhoods in Gion.

Whether you are interested in Geisha kimonos, their training and apprenticeship, or the “Memoirs of a Geisha”, you are guaranteed to learn a lot with us!

Walking around the historic Gion Geisha District will surely feel like a walk through time as you learn about the stories hidden in the cobblestones of the old town.

Gion Ochaya, Okiya, Ryotei

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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

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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 are likely on their way to work and they should not be late.

FAQs

About Us

We own and operate Geisha Experience MAIKOYA. 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.

Review

Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA

4.9

Sointex Jambis

06:52 05 Mar 20

Wonderful service. Perfect for anyone, including Japanese. Just opened in December 2019. You can meet with a geisha and ask questions. Great experience.read more

Allira Mahon

07:01 25 Feb 20

Enjoyed the Geisha tea ceremony! After being dressed in a Kimono, I was escorted to the venue. Our host and interpreters were amazing. Explained all the reasons behind the spiritual aspects of the ceremony, and after the Maiko did her dance we were able to ask lots of questions. If you want a beautiful authentic experience, please give this a try!read more

Sam Thompson

06:59 15 Feb 20

Amazing experience with our private tea ceremony. The staff made us feel welcome from the start and gave a lovely talk about each of the items on display. Really a great afternoon and can really recommend.read more

Tiffany Mazeau

06:54 11 Feb 20

Awesome experience, you can ask a lot of questions and learn so much! The tea ceremony is very enjoyable too and you can take pictures of the whole process. The maiko was very beautiful and kind, she answered to all of our questions, we really enjoyed our time here. Thank you again!read more

Emily McDonnell

03:27 28 Jan 20

It's repeated over and over in the reviews but this really is a once in a lifetime experience. To be able to experience a traditional dance and tea ceremony is outstanding but to recieve it from a real Maiko is just inexplicable. The staff could not have been more lovely and accommodating. Will absolutely be coming back next time I'm in Kyoto.read more

Sascha Krebs

02:26 20 Jan 20

One of the most amazing and wonderful experiences we had during our stay in Kyoto. The whole staff was really wonderful and helpful, we were able to ask all the questions you want to ask a Maiko. The tea ceremony was beautiful. We got to wear Kimonos and after all that we had a great walking tour through the Gion district where we also learned so many things by two members of the Kyoto Geisha Show staff. Thank you again for all your help and the wonderful afternoon we had at your lovely place!read more

Maria CRUZ ORELLANA

08:11 19 Jan 20

I’ve done tea ceremonies before but they have never been like this one. They were able to accommodate a big group (19 people) and we got to ask the Maiko-san questions and and take pictures. The women that dressed us were kind and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.read more

Janki Patel

08:09 19 Jan 20

This is a must do experience in Kyoto! All the ladies are so nice and welcoming. They even got our group a Maiko to perform the ceremony. Overall amazing experienceread more

Taylor Espinola

07:59 19 Jan 20

What a wonderful experience! I loved every second and it was very interactive. We were a very large group and they were so professional and accommodatingread more

nairi nabi

07:59 19 Jan 20

Such an incredible experience! A must for anyone visiting Kyoto. The women that work here are so knowledgeable, hospitable and sweet. Genuinely a pleasant and once in a lifetime experience! I highly recommend it!!!read more

Shankar Radhakrishnan

10:28 29 Nov 19

We had a great tea ceremony experience at this place. We enjoyed the detailed explanation and relaxed atmosphere. Definitely worth the experienceread more

Karina Didenko

06:12 12 Nov 19

This experience is one in a life time, so I definitely recommend it to everyone! It's quite engaging and informative at the same time as first of all you're watching Maiko traditional seasonal dance, after what she shows you how to make a proper green tea and gives you to experience it yourself. The last memorable moment is a question and answer time. Everything what you're interested in about maiko you can ask her personally and receive an answer! Moreover, staff is very friendly, helping, and everyone takes good pictures of you!read more

lourosexx .

05:33 06 Nov 19

Amazing experience and not to be missed! Staff are lovely and tea ceremony was a once in a lifetime! We even got to see a traditional danceread more

Lisa Thurston

07:36 01 Nov 19

5 Star experience, must do in Kyoto! Our host Nana was amazing and very knowledgable. The sweet making was really fun and Nana showed us different techniques to make different designs. The Tea Ceremony was so insightful, we feel we learned a lot about the tea and Japanese culture and we were so lucky to also meet a beautiful Geisha. We would recommend this to anyone!read more

Nazi Yazdi

05:25 01 Nov 19

I loved the experience I have had today. Every thing was beautiful and my group and I enjoyed the beautiful ceremony lovely kind staff who helpe us get ready and very nice lady who performed tea ceremony and the beautiful geisha. Thank you so very much.read more

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