Kyoto Gion Walking Tour with Maiko and Geisha Meet, Live Performance and Photo Session
by Japan Wonder Travel
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥21,600Overview
This walking tour in Kyoto explores the Gion district's geisha culture over about three hours. The first part includes a guided walk through Gion Shirakawa, Tatsumi Daimyojin Shrine, Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Gion Corner, and the precincts of Kennin-ji Temple, with explanations about geisha life and local traditions. The walk lasts around 70 to 80 minutes and is led by a local guide. In the second part, the group visits a private ochaya (teahouse) to meet a maiko and a former Geiko. The visit includes a live performance of one to two traditional dances, a photo session with the maiko, and a question-and-answer session. The guide translates during the performance to provide cultural and historical context. Guests have the chance to talk with both the maiko and the teahouse owner during this 90-minute experience. Socks are required for entry, and photography is only allowed during the performance and photo session with prior permission for social media use. The tour runs rain or shine and involves walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Children under 10 years old are not permitted. The performance takes place on the second floor of a private house accessible only by stairs. No transportation or food and drink are included.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Gion Shirakawa
Walk through Gion Shirakawa while the guide explains who geishas in Kyoto are and details about their lifestyle.
30 min
Tatsumi Daimyojin Shrine
Visit Tatsumi Daimyojin, a Shinto shrine dedicated to protection, good fortune, and safety for travelers and warriors, founded during the Heian period and historically linked to the imperial family and samurai.
5 min
Tatsumi Bridge
See Tatsumi Bridge, a traditional small bridge in Gion surrounded by wooden machiya houses, tea houses, and the Shirakawa Canal, an area noted for its atmosphere especially during cherry blossom season and evenings lit by lanterns.
Hanamikoji Street
Walk along Hanamikoji Street, a main street in Gion lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, tea houses, shops, and restaurants, known for its association with Kyoto’s geisha culture where geiko and maiko can be spotted.
10 min
Gion Corner
Pass by Gion Corner, a cultural venue showcasing traditional arts of Kyoto performed by skilled artists and popular with both local and international visitors.
Kennin-ji Temple
Walk through the precincts of Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple next to Gion, without entering the buildings, to experience the temple grounds like locals.
Private Tea House Performance
Attend a 90-minute event at a traditional tea house where a maiko and a former Geiko perform one or two dances. The guide translates, and guests can take photos, ask questions, and talk with the maiko and the teahouse owner.
90 min
Meeting point
[Meet up] in front of Seven Eleven Higashiyama Donguribashi Store (at the Exit 1 of Keihan Gion Shijo station). Please find your guide who holds a green board written Japan Wonder Travel. *Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before tour start time.
End point
End a tour at a special private house (venue)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Kyoto Gion Walking Tour with Maiko and Geisha Meet, Live Performance and Photo Session
by Japan Wonder Travel
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥21,600Overview
This walking tour in Kyoto explores the Gion district's geisha culture over about three hours. The first part includes a guided walk through Gion Shirakawa, Tatsumi Daimyojin Shrine, Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Gion Corner, and the precincts of Kennin-ji Temple, with explanations about geisha life and local traditions. The walk lasts around 70 to 80 minutes and is led by a local guide. In the second part, the group visits a private ochaya (teahouse) to meet a maiko and a former Geiko. The visit includes a live performance of one to two traditional dances, a photo session with the maiko, and a question-and-answer session. The guide translates during the performance to provide cultural and historical context. Guests have the chance to talk with both the maiko and the teahouse owner during this 90-minute experience. Socks are required for entry, and photography is only allowed during the performance and photo session with prior permission for social media use. The tour runs rain or shine and involves walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Children under 10 years old are not permitted. The performance takes place on the second floor of a private house accessible only by stairs. No transportation or food and drink are included.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Gion Shirakawa
Walk through Gion Shirakawa while the guide explains who geishas in Kyoto are and details about their lifestyle.
30 min
Tatsumi Daimyojin Shrine
Visit Tatsumi Daimyojin, a Shinto shrine dedicated to protection, good fortune, and safety for travelers and warriors, founded during the Heian period and historically linked to the imperial family and samurai.
5 min
Tatsumi Bridge
See Tatsumi Bridge, a traditional small bridge in Gion surrounded by wooden machiya houses, tea houses, and the Shirakawa Canal, an area noted for its atmosphere especially during cherry blossom season and evenings lit by lanterns.
Hanamikoji Street
Walk along Hanamikoji Street, a main street in Gion lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, tea houses, shops, and restaurants, known for its association with Kyoto’s geisha culture where geiko and maiko can be spotted.
10 min
Gion Corner
Pass by Gion Corner, a cultural venue showcasing traditional arts of Kyoto performed by skilled artists and popular with both local and international visitors.
Kennin-ji Temple
Walk through the precincts of Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple next to Gion, without entering the buildings, to experience the temple grounds like locals.
Private Tea House Performance
Attend a 90-minute event at a traditional tea house where a maiko and a former Geiko perform one or two dances. The guide translates, and guests can take photos, ask questions, and talk with the maiko and the teahouse owner.
90 min
Meeting point
[Meet up] in front of Seven Eleven Higashiyama Donguribashi Store (at the Exit 1 of Keihan Gion Shijo station). Please find your guide who holds a green board written Japan Wonder Travel. *Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before tour start time.
End point
End a tour at a special private house (venue)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.