Geisha District Walk
Geisha District Walk
Explore around the Gion district and other parts of Kyoto to help shed some light on the exclusive and mysterious world of the Geisha and other aspects of Japanese culture.
Maiko are trainee Geisha (Geiko in Kyoto dialect) who train for six years before becoming fully fledged Geisha. They learn skills such as dance, singing, instrument playing as well as how to entertain guests with conversation. They attend functions at discrete tea houses throughout Kyoto and live and work in five "hanamachi" (literally flower towns) in the city.
There are fewer than 2,000 Geisha and Maiko in Japan today; in the 1920s there were as many as 80,000. As such, a time spent in the company of a Maiko is now a rare and unique experience, open only to a select few.
Maiko perform at Ganko Njio-en, a traditional restaurant located near to the Kamogawa River in central Kyoto, with an ornate landscaped garden dating back over 400 years. Dinner will be a sushi and kaiseki set menu and the Maiko performance lasts for 40 minutes.
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Geisha District Walk
Explore around the Gion district and other parts of Kyoto to help shed some light on the exclusive and mysterious world of the Geisha and other aspects of Japanese culture.
Kyoto Cultural Experience
Take the opportunity to learn more about a traditional Japanese pastime of your choice. These courses are instigated and run by the Women's Association of Kyoto and you will visit the home of one of the members.
Nara Excursion
Like nearby Kyoto, Nara was once the Japanese capital and a source of enormous cultural and religious outpourings. Unlike its more celebrated neighbour, however, Nara has survived relatively untouched by modern advances and remains a relaxed town dotted with temples, shrines and parkland.
Traditional Kyoto Cuisine Walking Tour
Enjoy a day of culinary delights with trips to Kyoto's Nishiki Market, Horino Sake Museum to learn all about sake production, and then a traditional machiya (teahouse) for a Japanese cooking class.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.