PRIVATE Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony and Geisha Performance in Kyoto

Enjoy a special geisha performance just for you!

This is a special event joined only by you. Whether you are seeking a memorable experience in Japan or just on a honeymoon, this is a very unique experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Please don’t worry about the location or communication with the geisha (maiko) as our location is near the central Gion-Shijo station and our English-speaking staff will be present to interpret for you.

Geisha and apprentice geisha called maiko, train for years to perfect the traditional Japanese arts. One of the aspects of their training is performing the tea ceremony.

PRIVATE Geisha or Maiko Tea Ceremony and Performance

Lasts approximately 90 minutes

Inclusions:

• A traditional kimono will be provided for you for the duration of the tea ceremony and geisha or maiko performance. You can choose from our selection of beautiful kimonos! For the ladies, our staff will be assisting in arranging your hair to suit the design of your kimono.
• Tea ceremony tools and ingredients will be available once the tea ceremony starts for your to learn and create your own perfect bowl of matcha.
• Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets that are best eaten with matcha tea. You’ll be tasting the seasonal treats and experience the unique tastes of Japan!
• Tea ceremony demonstration and participation. The geisha or maiko will be showing you the steps for the ceremony with an interpreter present.
• Geisha or Maiko performance. A short, traditional dance will be performed for you after the tea ceremony. Most of the performers at Maikoya are maiko. However, we also have geisha performers on certain days.

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Experience the rich culture of Japan!

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!

PRICE

2 ~ 5 people : 54,000 yen / group
6 people+ : 9,000yen / person

*Please note that this event requires a minimum of two participants.
*This experience cannot be canceled or changed from 7days before the event date
*for adhoc inquiries info@mai-ko.com

Geisha Maiko Tea Ceremony Kyoto

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.

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Just in case if you were wondering:

• You are allowed to take pictures in the tea ceremony room after the ceremony as well as the other rooms and in front of our unique backdrops
• You are allowed to sit comfortably on the floor (without sitting on your knees on the tatami mat). We also provide bamboo chairs for those who prefer not to sit on the floor

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.

Kyoto Geisha Maiko Performance

• The geisha performance lasts around 30 minutes
• The geisha performance takes place at the traditional Japanese style room.
• First, 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, you 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

What can you expect during your tea ceremony?

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. Ladies will be given extra attention to get their hair and makeup down to match their kimono.

Kids can also join in the tea ceremony and performance from the age of 3. If you are planning to bring toddlers and infants, please let us know so we can check to see if we can accommodate you!

An interpreter fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese 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!

About Us

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.

FAQs

Looking for more workshops? Check out our other experiences in Kyoto!

Sweets Making & Kimono Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Tea Ceremony and Kimono for Kids and Families in Kyoto

Nishiki Market Tour with Rolled Sushi Cooking Class Kyoto

Ninja Cooking Class For Kids & Families in Kyoto with a Souvenir

Online Kimono Experience by Kyoto Maikoya

Review

Geisha Experience Gion MAIKO CHAYA

4.9

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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