Whether you are visiting Japan for a special occasion, honeymoon, or simply looking for a memorable cultural experience, this plan offers a unique and unforgettable time in Kyoto.
Our venue is conveniently located near Gion-Shijo Station in central Kyoto.
Geisha and maiko devote years to mastering traditional Japanese arts. As part of this cultural experience, they will join your private tea ceremony and performance.
Please note that whether a geisha or maiko will attend is determined on the day of the experience.
NOTE: Your tea ceremony session will take place in a private room. However, please be aware that other areas of the facility remain communal spaces for all guests.
100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
京都市東山区松原通大和大路東入轆轤町100
*This building is a registered tangible cultural property in Japan.
*MAIKOYA has multiple branches. Please double-check the address you should visit. If you visit the wrong branch, you will need to relocate, resulting in a shorter meeting time with the geisha.
Important Information
Kyoto is the traditional home of the geisha and its cultures, and it is the best place to go for performances and traditional arts. The geisha start as maiko and would train for years from a young age to be able to perfect their crafts.
A part of their training is the tea ceremony - a tradition that is typically performed under the cherry blossoms on rare and special occasions.
Maikoya Kyoto preserves this tradition for both locals and travelers to witness and participate in, in addition to a short traditional dance. This event will be held near the Gion-Shijo Station!
We have a unique cancellation policy for geisha events. Cancellation Policy
As part of their training, the geisha (maiko) in Kyoto learn how to conduct tea ceremony and often hold tea ceremony 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 of 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 a powdered green tea and is called Matcha.
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.
You will be given a selection of beautiful kimonos to choose from and our staff will be providing assistance to help you look your best.
An interpreter fluent in English will be present during the tea ceremony and will be guiding you together with the geisha or maiko. They will be explaining some background on the history of the tea ceremony and the geisha culture in Japan.
You will be served a traditional Japanese treat called "wagashi" and then learn how to make your own matcha with the given set of tools. We will provide traditional utensils that are used specifically for the tea ceremony.
After you have had your fill, you will be treated to a geisha performance. Most of the time, we will have maiko performances instead as it is part of their training, but both performances are equally mesmerizing!
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.
This package lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Yes, a kimono will be provided before the workshop and be worn throughout the whole session.
We will not require you to wear a kimono if it is uncomfortable for you. If you are in your first or second trimester, you can still choose to wear it.
Yes! Our kimonos are meant to fit a variety of sizes. You can also contact us if you would like to make sure of an available fit.
Yes! You can extend your kimono rental up to 6 PM without additional fee.
Although our kimonos are purely for rental purposes, we can recommend local shops that sell a variety of kimonos from secondhand and brand new kimonos to yukatas, samues, and hakamas.
Our geisha tea ceremony and performance package is only available upon booking. Make sure you book with us in advance especially if you're visiting during peak season!
Children under 7 can not enter the tea ceremony venue. If you have a child under 7 in your party, you can not make the reservation for this experience.
The wagashi served at our tea ceremonies are vegan and vegetarian-friendly! The plant-based treats are also halal and kosher. We highly recommend letting us know if you have any preferences or diets anyway just to make sure.
We also provide desks and chairs upon request if it's more comfortable for you!
There will be designated times during which photography is permitted. Please kindly follow the instructions of our staff on the day regarding when photos can be taken.
Additionally, we ask that any photos taken be kept for personal memories only. We kindly request that you refrain from posting photos of the geiko or maiko on social media.
There will be time for you to take photos together with the geiko or maiko!
However, as there are times when photography is permitted and times when it is not, we kindly ask that you follow the instructions of our staff on the day.
Experience the enchanting world of geishas in Kyoto at Geisha Show & Experience GION MAIKOYA, located in the heart of Gion, just steps from Hanamikoji Street. Our historic, government-protected teahouse, complete with a beautiful Japanese garden, offers authentic geisha encounters reminiscent of the 1800s, providing a unique glimpse into this captivating tradition. Maikoya offers a variety of immersive cultural experiences, including captivating geisha shows, elegant geisha tea ceremonies, unforgettable geisha dinner shows, and insightful private Gion tours exploring the history of geiko and maiko. Conveniently located near popular Higashiyama attractions like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Sannenzaka, Maikoya is the perfect destination for those seeking an enriching cultural experience. Whether you're looking for geisha tickets, want to learn more about geisha in Kyoto, or simply wish to experience the atmosphere of a traditional geisha tea house in Gion, Maikoya provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Japanese culture.
ADDRESS ( google map ): 100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashiiru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
email: gion@maikoya.com
