Geisha Museum Kyoto Ticket & Guided Tour

*This experience is currently NOT available.

Maikoya owns and operates the Geisha and Tea Ceremony Museum near Hanamikoji street which is considered to be the center of the Gion Geisha District. The museum has a number exhibitions, artifacts and explanations on the history and culture of geisha. There are guided tours which last for about 30 minutes but the visitors can also walk inside the museum on their own. The museum collection is limited to geisha musical instruments, geisha hair accessories and geisha kimono. The museum has simple and easy-to-understand visual aids on the differences between maiko and geisha and the geisha training phases. The museum also hosts various geisha shows and geisha experiences everyday.

The geisha museum ticket includes the English guided tour of the museum which has been conducted by a knowledgeable local guide. The tour guide will explain  everything you may wonder about the geisha from their kimono motifs to the movie “the Memoirs of Geisha.” You can ask questions to the guide though most visitors tend to ask similar questions all the time which are listed below that we usually answer during the tour. There is a possibility that you may get a glimpse of a real geisha or maiko at the museum, as the museum organizes the various geisha activities everyday, but they are not included in your ticket.

This reservation includes

• Geisha Museum entrances fee
• English guided tour of the geisha museum for about 30 minutes
• Detailed explanation of the Gion Geisha District map so that you know what you are looking at when you are walking in Gion
• Question and answers to the local guide
• Close look of geisha artifacts, geisha goods, geisha kimono

(Our location ; Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA)

We hold many geisha shows and events and these are the most commonly asked questions to geisha / maiko

(Our location ; Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA)

• Why did you decide to become a geisha? 

Most maiko answer as their imagination of the fancy world of the geisha. A lot of girls are influenced by the beautiful maiko photos on the internet or TV documentaries about maiko lives. Some of them just want to work as a maiko, as it’s a fun adventure, and they never become geiko. 

• How did your family react? 

Some families have concerns about their daughters’ living in the lodging house at an early age. However in Japan, part of being a democratic and advanced country, families tend to support the decisions of their daughters. However, maiko get to see their families only once or twice a year (Obon and the new year-eve).

1. Can Geisha Marry or have a boyfriend?
   Geisha cannot get married. The rule of this profession is “being married to the art, not a man”. If they want to get married, they have to quit the job. Once they quit, it’s usually impossible to come back, however they can debut from the beginning in a different city, under a different name and rules. Maiko cannot have a boyfriend, and if they do, they can easily get caught as they live in very strict conditions. Geisha live alone, they can secretly have a boyfriend.

1. Do geisha have any days off?
   Maiko only have two days off per month, but they can take longer holidays three times per year too – New Year period in January, Golden Week in May, and Obon in August. Geiko decide their own schedule, so they can have days off whenever they feel like.

1. How much does a geisha make? What is geisha’s salary?
   Maiko don’t receive any salary, as they are in training. The maiko house pays for everything, starting with food, taxis, and accommodation, to kimono and classes. Maiko get some pocket money each month, though, so they can go shopping during their days off. Geiko receive a full compensation for their job engagements, however, the monthly income depends on the amount of hours they make, so they have to be wise with their schedule. Just like theater performers, there is a huge variation in the income of the geisha based on the skills and popularity. It can be anywhere between $3K a month to hundreds of thousands as they can also get gifts (a, house, car, etc.). Geisha’s salary is secret.

• Why do geisha have white powder on their face?

The short answer is: in the past there was no electricity and it was believed the white powder made the face look beautiful in the dark. There are other reasons such as in ancient China entertainers also wore the white powder make-up and white skin symbolized youth and nobility. Geisha also often shared the stage and hung out with kabuki actors who wore white-powder and visible lip and eye liners to be watched from the distance.

• Are they courtesans? 

No as explained in other posters.

1. Why do geisha wear wig but maiko don’t?
   It’s very difficult and expensive to keep such complicated hairstyle for the rest of the life, so wigs are more convenient. After hours, geiko can wear Western clothes and be normal women. Also many geisha start losing their hair at an early age because of too much pulling as part of the intricate hairstyles. It is healthier to have a wig.

1. How much does it cost to meet a geisha?
   The exact cost is never revealed, but an hour with a geisha starts from about 30 000 yen and it can be booked only after being introduced to a teahouse by a frequent customer. There are some cheaper group events for the tourists and first-timers, starting from 10,000 yen. Please inquire to the museum staff. A “geisha experience” is usually not meant to be one-time-only and there are so many other costs such as the fee of the meals and drinks; so, how much does it cost to meet a geisha is a little difficult to understand in Kyoto.  

• How do you apply to become a geisha?

A candidate for a maiko has to be a Japanese girl who graduated from junior high school (the age of 15-16) and who has black hair. Some okiya require an introduction (personal reference), but some of them encourage girls to apply via e-mail or telephone. They just need to send their photo, fill in a survey, and get their parents’ approval. 

• Who decides when a maiko becomes a geisha

When maiko reaches the age of 20-21, her art masters and the owner of okiya decide if she’s ready to progress into the geiko stage. There’s no official exam, they just have to give her a green light to go further. Upon becoming a geiko, a maiko has to master “Kurokami” (“Jet Black Hair”) dance which she will perform during her sakkou period. 

• Are geishas respected in Japan?

They are very much respected as they perform cultural arts and crafts that require so much training and can’t be performed by most people. They are also often invited to public and religious ceremonies and often sit at VIP. Geisha’s outfit is unique and costly, the silk kimono costs at least $5K and the sash ornament (pocchiri) is usually worth thousands of dollars.

• Do geisha think about quitting and having a family?

As a matter of fact most maiko (apprentice geisha) do not become a full-fledged geisha. They quit at the end of the maiko period. For the rest who chose to be a geisha it is a lifetime profession though so many geisha eventually quit in their thirties and forties and become housewives. If they don’t quit, most geisha become an okiya owner or inherit the okiya they are affiliated and run a geisha house.

• What is the age limit of being a geisha?

There is no age limit, there are geisha in Gion who are older than 80 years old.

•  What is a typical day of maiko like?

8:30-9:30 Getting up, putting on a casual kimono and going to the school of art. 10:00-12:00 Time reserved for the art classes. Each class is usually 30 minutes, but before big stage performances the classes can last for 6 hours even! 

12:00-14:00 Free time for lunch and relax. 

15:00-17:00 Getting ready for work. Applying makeup and putting on a dance kimono (a special dresser comes and dresses the maiko and geiko up. It takes only up to 10 minutes!). 

18:00 First work engagements of the night. Usually there are 3 banquets or 3 separate meetings with the clients until midnight 

00:00-1:00 Last work engagements. 

1:30-2:00 Back home, taking off the kimono (and folding it), wiping off the makeup, bath time, hobby (reading books, watching TV) time. 2:00-3:00 Sleep time

(Our location ; Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA)

Review

Gion Geisha Show & Experience Maikoya

4.9

Based on 15 reviews

review us on

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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