Drinks with a Maiko
A geisha with her elaborate kimono and ghost white make-up, is one of the most enduring images of Japan. Our unique 'drinks with a maiko experience' is a not to be missed opportunity to spend some time with a Kyoto maiko. In the early evening you will join a fascinating walking lecture of the geisha area covering the famous district of Gion and its lesser-known neighbour, Miyagawa-cho. You will learn all about the geisha way of life as well having the chance to see the maiko and geisha as the hurry between appointments.
You will then move on to Hanagumo, a traditional Japanese bar located in Miyagawa-cho in a beautiful old Japanese house. Here you will be entertained in private by a maiko for around ninety minutes. Your host for the evening will be Peter Macintosh, long term Kyoto resident and a renowned expert on geisha. He will translate for you over drinks and snacks allowing you a chance to gain a real insight into this mysterious world. It is also a lot of fun! There will be a chance to watch a performance of traditional dance and of course, you can ask any questions you like during the evening.
This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a highly exclusive service that is usually only available through a personal introduction.
This service is available all year round. However, if you are planning to include this in your trip then you should keep in mind the peak seasons of April and November. At these times the maiko and geisha are extremely busy and it can be hard for Peter to book an appointment. If you are interested just let us know and we can include this as part of any Self-Guided Adventure or Fully Tailored Trip.
Where:
Drinks with a maiko takes place at Hanagumo in the Miyagawa-cho district of Kyoto, just a short walk from the Minamiza Theatre. This can be reached from central Kyoto in 5-15 minutes on foot. From the station area a taxi takes just 7 minutes and is very inexpensive at around 1000 yen.