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 af 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.
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.
*We kindly request that you contact us in advance regarding the participation of special needs.
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!
1 ~ 4 people : 90,000 yen / group
5 people+ : 18,000yen / personFrom December 25th to January 10th, all geisha are on New Year holidays. An additional charge of 20,000 JPY is required for reservations during this period. After booking, we will send you an email about this payment.
We have a unique cancellation policy for geisha events. Cancellation Policy
Just in case if you were wondering:
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.
We can also provide hairstyling that complements the kimono for ladies.
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.
If you are having difficulties or questions, contact us at info@mai-ko.com.
This package lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Yes, a kimono will be provided before the workshop and be worn throughout the whole session. Our staff will be happy to assist you in putting it on and styling the ladies' hair.
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 for a small 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.
Yes. We provide matcha tea, tea ceremony sets, calligraphy sets, and much more available.
We recommend booking with us in advance so you don't have to wait in line, especially during peak seasons in early April and mid-November. This is also cheaper and more convenient.
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 6 can not enter the tea ceremony venue. If you have a child under 6 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!
Yes! This package requires a minimum of two participants. If your group has six or more, you can also avail of a discount.
Media appearance for geisha and maiko are strictly controlled in Kyoto so we would advise against filming the whole performance and ceremony. However, you are more than welcome to take videos of yourself and the geisha after the performance. Make sure to ask for consent!
Please refrain from using your phone or camera during the performance and the ceremony as it might affect your experience. Our staff will be happy to take the pictures for you! You are also welcome to take pictures with the geisha or maiko after your event.
