Geisha Show & Special Lunch in Kyoto – PRIVATE

*This experience is currently NOT available.

This is a value ticket that includes a REAL geisha (or Maiko) show and a Kaiseki Lunch. Ideal for honeymooners and those who are seeking to spend a special day in Kyoto.

This is a PRIVATE geisha lunch show only for you.

You will enjoy learning about the culture, history and hidden gems of Gion in addition to watching an authentic geisha performance.
A friendly local tour guide will help you discover the hidden gems of the historic streets of Gion.

This reservation includes

• A professional English speaking tour guide who will escort you all the way
• Special lunch in a traditional town house with a garden
• Geisha or apprentice geisha (maiko) dance performance
• Interaction with the geisha
• Opportunities to take a picture with the geisha or photograph her dance
• Friendly and relaxing atmosphere
  -The teahouse has a very authentic feeling with traditional design and two small gardens.
• An unforgettable day that includes a walk on the mysterious streets of Gion, watching a geisha perform an elegant dance and a lovely lunch at a picturesque restaurant nearby.

*If you have limited time you can opt out the walking tour or any parts of your reservation.

*The optional Gion walking tour takes approximately 45 minutes. The Geisha show also takes approximately 45 minutes. There is no time limit for the lunch but people usually spend around 2 hours.

Notes on Reserving Your lunch show

• The lunch can be enjoyed anytime between 11:30 AM ~ 14:00 PM. Please select your favorite time and make a reservation on this page.
  Directions to Maikoya Tea House.
• There is no dress code.
• If you have any food allergies, please mention in the notes section.

Highlights of the geisha lunch show at MAIKOYA

For centuries, travelers to Japan have been fascinated by the mysterious geisha and mesmerized by the alluring effect of the flower and the willow world. Now the doors of this secret world are opening to you. You will travel back in time when you are in our historic teahouse, a registered historic preservation site designated by Kyoto City. We prepared the perfect geisha lunch plan along with engaging explanations about the geisha tradition that will make this experience the highlight of your trip to Japan.

We have an actual location in the heart of Kyoto so you never have to worry about the meeting point or finding your group. The best part is, we also have exhibitions of kimonos and some geisha artifacts, so you get a good understanding of the traditional lifestyle of a geisha. Whether you want to learn more about the movie “memoirs of geisha” or take a closer look at the fashion style of the geisha, we have many interesting things to tell you. Kyoto has 17 UNESCO world heritage sites and thousands of temples but nothing will surprise you more than the untold stories of geisha whose lives are full of joy but also many sacrifices.

Geisha Performance

• The geisha performance lasts around 45 minutes
• The geisha performance takes place at the traditional Japanese style room of Maikoya Tea House conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto.
• 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

Special Lunch

• The menu usually includes fish or beef, soup, fried vegetables, rice, pickles, and dessert.
• Since the food in Kyoto is always based on the season, the contents may change.
• If you are vegetarian or gluten-free, the menu may not suit your needs. Please send us a message if you are concerned about the menu limitations, or add any dietary concerns in the notes section of your reservation.
• This set menu includes one drink (beer or juice).

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 are Maikoya Teahouse. 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

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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