Japanese geiko and maiko

Private Geisha entertainment and delicious Japanese cuisine in a traditional teahouse in Gion, Kyoto

summary

Gion Higashi, one of Kyoto's five main flower districts, has long been a place of relaxation for people tired of visiting temples and shrines, as well as a place of socializing for merchants. Here, geiko and maiko entertain and entertain their guests with singing, dancing, conversation, and ozashiki games. In this experience, you can fully enjoy their charms while dining on sumptuous Japanese cuisine at the teahouse Ochaya Man.

Main Features

Watch a maiko dance to the accompaniment of a geiko's shamisen.
Experience the geisha and maiko of Gion East's historic night entertainment district in a private ochaya banquet room.
Guests can enjoy a hot meal freshly prepared by a Japanese restaurant while watching geiko and maiko dance.

*You cannot specify geiko and maiko.

Details

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Teahouse that carries traditional leisure activities into a new era 

Ochaya Man, a teahouse designed by international interior designer Yasumichi Morita, is located in the east corner of Gion, Kyoto, with a bar and tatami rooms on the first and second floors, and a ryotei restaurant on the third floor, a rarity for a teahouse in an entertainment district.

Traditional entertainment districts are by nature very exclusive, and all first-time visitors without an introduction are turned away. However, through "Exclusive Kyoto," Ochaya Man accepts only "Wabunka" customers.

Masami Kamiyanagi is the fourth generation proprietress of Ochaya Man. She was raised as a maiko for as long as she can remember, making her debut as a maiko at the age of 4 and as a singer at 19. After gaining extensive stage experience, she trained as a geiko in earnest in order to take over her family's teahouse, and now manages a maiko/geiko house and a ryotei restaurant. She has also made it her life's work to train maiko to carry on traditional Japanese culture.

Geiko and Maiko Evening

While enjoying the elegant Japanese dance performed by maiko to the shamisen accompaniment of geiko, you can also enjoy conversation with geiko and maiko through ozashiki games and entertainment. This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with real geiko and maiko. 

Geiko and maiko are different roles. A maiko is a young apprentice geiko with a unique and undeniably attractive appearance, characterized by a youthful and flamboyant kimono design, elaborate traditional Japanese hairstyle, white-painted skin, red or black eye makeup, and crimson lipstick. Geigi, on the other hand, are full-fledged artisans, wearing subdued colored kimonos, modest makeup, and generally exuding an aura of calm elegance. 

The elegance of traditional Japanese dance is a highlight of the ozashiki experience. Geiko and maiko wear gorgeous kimonos and obis, which accentuate their charm. The expression on their faces, the way they sit, the way they walk, the way they fan themselves, and every other gesture and movement reveals a supple elegance that can only be achieved through daily training.

Warm traditional food fills the stomach and nourishes the soul.

Kamiyanagi operates a ryotei restaurant in the "Ochaya Man" tearoom. This plan offers a sumptuous Japanese course dinner featuring carefully selected local vegetables, seafood, meats, and other seasonal Kyoto ingredients, delicately and artistically arranged. While teahouses in Gion typically rely on outside catering, Ochayaman serves hot dishes freshly prepared in its authentic in-house kitchen.

Alcoholic beverages are also available (you can freely choose from the drinks included in the plan), so you can enjoy drinks poured by geiko and maiko with a delicious dinner.

Alcoholic beverages are also available (you can freely choose from the drinks included in the plan), so you can enjoy drinks poured by geiko and maiko with a delicious dinner.

A refreshing drink to make your special night even more enjoyable!

The gestures of geiko and maiko embody the Japanese sense of beauty. If you pay close attention to the way they hold the sake cup and pour the sake, you will notice their attention to detail and sophistication. Their warmth and charm will transport you from the busyness of daily life to a world of joy and peace.

Private luxury and exclusive geisha experience

After the meal, guests can enjoy chatting with geiko and maiko, as well as playing with them in the tatami room and enjoying entertainment. This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with geiko and maiko of the traditional performing arts in a luxurious tatami room that is like a hideaway from the ordinary.

Enjoy simple party games with geiko and maiko

The highlight of this plan is the opportunity to experience traditional Japanese banquet culture, including singing, dancing, and ozashiki games. Rhythmic play to the sound of the shamisen is a trick that is addictive. The calm charm of geiko and maiko will soothe your tired heart. Enjoy the harmony of the moist melodies, songs and dances, and commemorative photos with geiko and maiko.

200 Points" to experience the depth of Japanese hospitality culture

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the background and reasons behind the traditions and customs of the entertainment district, which has been in existence for 300 years, or about the lifestyle of geiko and maiko," says Proprietress Kamiyanagi. As a result, many guests say, "I've changed my perspective.

Geigi and Maiko embody the traditional beauty of Japan and connect it to the modern age.

Kamiyanagi's wish is to immerse you in the air and flow of the place with all five senses while enjoying the depth of Japanese aesthetics and culture through interaction with geiko and maiko. Their sophisticated companionship and skilled hospitality will surely soothe your soul. Enjoy a special evening immersed in the hospitality culture unique to Kyoto's historic entertainment district.

Ochaya Otoko / Exclusive Kyoto

ochaya man
Masami Kamiyanagi, the proprietress of "Ochaya Man" in Gion-Higashi, near Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto's most popular tourist attractions, grew up training to become a maiko in order to succeed the fourth generation head of the family. She made her debut as a maiko at age 4 and a singer at 19. She is currently running the family business as the proprietress, while continuing her own activities as a singer and dancer. She is passionate about passing on the traditional performing arts of dance, nagauta, and ohayashi to the next generation.

Exclusive Kyoto
Exclusive Kyoto offers a variety of experiences with geiko and maiko in order to preserve the historical traditions of Kyoto's nightlife district and to provide guests with a deeper experience of the local culture.
Traditionally, private banquet rooms in teahouses do not accept first-time guests without an introduction, but at "Exclusive Kyoto," both Japanese and international visitors can enjoy an authentic and luxurious geisha experience all at once.