Kyoto Fun

 

Kyoto is no stranger to this blog; you might remember my previous blog about my adventures there: Pigging Out in Kyoto

Osaka is very close to Kyoto and I’ve been going back and forth between the two cities quite often lately.

Let me take you on my latest Kyoto adventure—a cultural experience that left me inspired, motivated, and filled with new knowledge.

I’m sure you’ll feel the same way after joining a geiko/maiko tour.

Maiko on My Mind

 

If you’re interested in Japanese culture, you’ve probably heard of maikos and geishas. But did you know there’s a third term specific to Kyoto? Let me explain:

Maiko: A young woman training to become a geisha performer

Geisha: A highly trained female artist who performs traditional Japanese arts like singing, dancing, and playing instruments (used outside of Kyoto)

Geiko: A geisha located specifically in Kyoto

This is just a taste of what you’ll learn on the tour!

Other fascinating questions answered during the experience include:
🔸 How did the geisha entertainment industry begin?
🔸 How intense is their training?
🔸 What’s a day in the life of a maiko or geiko like?

And so much more!

Booking

I booked my ticket through Klook. You can use my link here to reserve your spot for the same tour experience I did!

Be sure to select a day and time that works for you and set aside at least 3 to 4 hours to fully enjoy this cultural adventure.

 

Geisha Tour Experience 

The beginning

 

The tour started in front of the Kyoto Geisha Museum, which is relatively easy to find.

Our tour guide, the ever-so-lovely Tomato-san (her super cute nickname), greeted us warmly. As we walked toward the geiko house, she shared insightful stories about Kyoto’s geisha and maiko traditions.

Our first stop was the geiko house, where we were greeted and led into a cozy, warm room.

 

There, the geiko introduced herself along with the maiko, and we were served matcha tea and mochi. (If you’re in Kyoto, you must try matcha—Kyoto is famous for it!)

 

There’s a specific way to accept the tea and turn the cup to show respect. I’ll let the geiko and maiko explain the details when you visit. Don’t forget to slurp loudly at the end to show appreciation! I know my fellow Americans might struggle with this, but it’s a fun cultural difference that I enjoyed trying out.

 

After we finished with our snacks and talked together, the geiko and maiko did two traditional dances with the maiko dancing and the geiko playing the koto. 

 

Hearing about the intense dedication required to become a maiko or geiko was deeply inspiring. Their lives are filled with rigorous training from a young age, making their performances even more impressive.

If you’re seeking inspiration and motivation, this tour will show you an entirely different lifestyle rooted in discipline, grace, and cultural heritage.

After the performance was completed, we left and went to the Geisha Museum where Tomato-san continued to give us information about the geisha culture.

I was especially excited to see the traditional makeup and hair accessories maikos wear. Fun fact: Maikos wear different hairpieces each month, reflecting the season.. For example, April is Sakura blossoms. And I believe that in May they wear hair pieces with wisteria flowers.

 

Here are a few other pictures to spark your interest! Be sure to visit in person and learn in this wonderful museum!

Souvenir Shop

It was so fun exploring the museum and seeing photos of Kyoto’s maikos and geikos throughout history.

 

At the end of the tour, there’s a beautiful stage where you can take photos. Every April 1st, the museum holds a special festival event there—be sure to grab your tickets early!

You can also relax in the mini-theater area, where you can watch clips from previous spring festivals featuring stunning geiko and maiko performances

Experience Rating

 

Even after living in Japan for seven years, I was surprised by how much new information I learned during the tour.

Tomato-san’s warm personality and extensive knowledge made the experience truly unforgettable. Right from the start, she cracked jokes, answered every question, and kept the group engaged. Her English skills were exceptional, and even the maiko we met—who attended an international school—spoke great English!

I was blown away by this experience and highly recommend it. It’s always exciting to learn more about Japanese culture, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.

Be sure to try the matcha and immerse yourself in this unforgettable cultural journey! 🙂

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