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Hiring a Maiko after tour (at a lower cost)

Kyoto Guided Tour Program

What you can enjoy in this program

Almost every visitor wishes to catch a glimpse of a maiko or a geiko on her way to work, while walking around the back lanes of the tradtional flower towns. Maiko or Geiko is a party companion highly skilled in Japanese perfoming arts such as Japanese dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments in addition to tea ceremony and/or flower arrangement. Along with the beautiful kimono and graceful movments, Maikos and Geikos are regarded as LIVING ART.

Hiring a maiko or a geiko is popular but a very expensive high-class traditional form of entertainment. For a private viewing of Maiko and Geiko itself is highly priced plus you would have to dine at a room at a Japanese haute-cuisine restaurant with a stage on which maiko/geiko dances. Furthermore, even if someone can afford to hire them, one is not always welcome. In fact many places in Kyoto would not do business with anyone totally new. One would have to be introduced by one of their regular guets. We call this system "ICHIGEN-SAN OKOTOWARI"(Regular recognized customer only).


However, we are how pleased to tell you that our close relationship with the flower town makes it possible for you to briefly meet with a maiko for about one hour over a light dinner (tempura, sushi and some small dishes).

The tour starts with 2 to 3 hour walking tour of the Gion or Kamishichiken area, two of 5 flower towns associated with Maikos/Geikos in Kyoto. Our licensed tour guide can explain to you about the history of Maiko/Geiko as well as the tradtional wooden structures in the area. After learning about Maiko/Geiko, we will go to a Japanese restaurant where a maiko is waiting for you. Over a light dinner you can ask questions to Maiko about what she wears or her daily life. You can even take some photos with the genuine Maiko. There are a few restaurants where customers can enjoy PUBLIC VIEWING of Maiko/Geiko : a large audience sharing the moment with a Maiko/Geiko. But This is probably the most reasonably priced program which makes your dream of privately hiring a Maiko come true!

 

Time and Prices

Time

4hours of Gion and/or other areas including 1 hour light evening meal with Maiko

Price

28,000 yen per person based on 2 persons
20,300 yen per person based on 3 persons
17,400 yen per person based on 4 persons
(Please ask for the price for 5+ people)

MPORTANT:
This program is arranged only when a maiko has one hour break between two full parties. We cannot confirm this arrangement even if you plan far in advance. Instead it may be rather possible to arrange if you call only a few days in advance or on the very day you wish to enjoy. Also, please note that once a tour is confirmed, 100 % cancel charge is applied. We appreciate your undestanding.

 

Prices for other plans

Procedure

  1. Contact us by using our BOOK/INQUIRY form with your preferred date(s)
  2. Upon receipt of your reply we will then contact a Maiko to see if she is available on the day you wish to see her and come back to you with a reply (if your preferred date is NOT possible, we will suggest an alternative date.) We will also tell you which area (Either Kaimishichiken or Gion) you will meet with a Maiko.
  3. Please reply to us if you are happy with the date and give us your payment information.
  4. Upon receipt of your payment information, we will issue CONFIRMATION. We wiil also happy to discuss the sightseeing route before meeting with Maiko. 1) In case of Kamishichiken(north east of Kyoto) we will suggest Daitokuji or Kinkakuji(gold pavilion) and then traditional area of Kamishichiken. 2)In case of Gion, we will suggest Yasaka shrine, Ishibe-koji, GIon.
  5. On the program day, our guide will meet you at the pre-agreed meeting place and start the guided tour, terminating at a restaurant where you meet with Maiko ! Please enjoy your little chat with her!