Geisha Show Tickets 2020 MIYAKO ODORI – Minamiza Theater

※Miyako Odori 2020 is canceled this year. If you book this ticket, we can give you the ticket of “geisha show and walking tour at Maiko Chaya“. ※

The Best Geisha Dance Show in Kyoto, Miyako Odori, will be held  between the 1st and 3rd weeks of April in 2021. For geisha shows and geisha experiences that are held EVERYDAY please check: Gion Geisha Show & Experience

This Geisha Show ticket price is ¥8800. The ticket fee includes the geisha show performance AND Guided Gion Walking Tour.

Miyako Odori includes

• The annual geisha dance show is a century-old tradition which was launched in 1872.
• Watching so many geisha (geiko) and maiko in various costumes on the stage makes this event a spectacular cultural experience. The geisha show is also a great opportunity to shoot memorable pictures.
• The geisha (geiko) performance used to be held at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo but recently moved to the historic Minamiza theater, famous for its kabuki shows.
• The ensemble consists of the dance performance of the Gion-district geisha. Gion district is considered to be the most prestigious geisha neighborhood.
• The geisha show is held at the Minamiza Theater  and lasts 1 hour.
• We recommend double checking your show time and coming to the venue 20 minutes early.
• There are several types of seats, this particular ticket you are buying is on the 3rd stage and the cheapest available ticket. If you’d like to buy tickets that are right in front of the stage and sell for about $120, please let us know via email.
• You will pick your tickets at the Gion Geisha Show & Experience Maikoya which is about 2-minute walk from the Minamiza Theater.
• The walking tour is held separately and it lasts for 45 minutes.
• The Gion walking tour is held at 2:30 and 4:30 everyday. The departure point for the walking tour is Gion Geisha Show & Experience Maikoya. You can join any walking tour on any day, by showing your digital voucher (the email you receive after reserving for this show).
• These tickets are hard to get and thus they are nonrefundable. Please make sure you can attend the show before you make the reservation.

What is Geisha Dance?

To be able to watch this popular geisha show in Kyoto is a dream come true of a geisha fan or anyone who is interested in the culture and history of Japan. In this unique event, the geisha (geiko) and apprentice geisha (maiko) will perform various dances to depict the well-known Japanese novel “the tale of Genji.” The locals in Kyoto consider this event to be the the beginning of the exciting Spring season. There are multiple geisha dance events in Kyoto, but, locals prefer attending this special performance because the Gion geisha district is considered to be special.

Gion Kobu

The largest and most prestigious of them all is Gion Kobu (祇園甲部). Located beside Yasaka Shrine, it was once a single hanamachi together with its neighbour, Gion Higashi (祇園東), but the split occurred in a fantastical fashion. In 1872 the capital had recently been moved to Tokyo from Kyoto, and Kyoto was experiencing a drop in tourism and its economy was on a downturn. To remedy this issue Kyoto would hold a World Expo that would bring people from around the world to see the wonders that Kyoto had to offer. In order to wow the spectators the governor and the mayor of Kyoto asked the head of a prestigious dance school, Yachiyo Inoue (井上八千代) of the the Inoue School of Dance (井上流), to choreograph and stage a set of dances so that average people could see real geisha dancing for the first time without an invitation to an ochaya. The expo lasted for just over a year, and at the end the dances proved to be the biggest success of all. To show their gratitude to Yachiyo Inoue the governor and the mayor would honour any single wish that she had. Her request was to divide eight neighbourhoods from the total area of Gion and make it into a new hanamachi where only her school of dance would be taught. The new area, Gion Kobu, means “First Class Gion,” and continues to be renowned around the world for its annual dances that take place each April called the Miyako Odori (都をどり), which is known as the “Dances of The Old Capital” in Japanese and the “Cherry Blossom Dances” to English audiences. The symbol of Gion Kobu is eight interlinked dumplings with the “甲”character in the middle.

 Geisha show, Miyako Odori

 Geisha show, Miyako Odori

 Geisha show, Miyako Odori

 Geisha show, Miyako Odori

Gion walking tour by Maikoya

Gion walking tour by Maikoya

Review

Gion Geisha Show & Experience Maikoya

4.9

Based on 15 reviews

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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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