Geisha Show Kyoto + Gion Walking Tour VALUE Ticket

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.
• The geisha, sometimes apprentice geisha (called maiko), performs her traditional dance in a room.
• 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 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 start the tour in front of the  historic Minamiza Kabuki theater.
• Walk towards the 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.

Gion Walking Tour with Guide

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.

Gion Ochaya, Okiya, Ryotei

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.