The Art of the Geisha: Private Dinner in Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan
Rating: 
Trip Type: Dining Experiences
Duration: 4 hours
Spend an incredible evening dining in Kyoto at an exclusive private restaurant accompanied by a ‘maiko,’ or apprentice geisha. The highly skilled performer typically entertains guests at invitation-only locations. You’ll also walk through the Gion district of Kyoto to learn how Kyoto has been a center for the geisha’s traditional art for centuries. This kaiseki dinner and walking tour is a rare occasion for you to see and learn about the traditions of the geisha, and your small group is limited to eight people.
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Spend an incredible evening dining in Kyoto at an exclusive private restaurant accompanied by a ‘maiko,’ or apprentice geisha. The highly skilled performer typically entertains guests at invitation-only locations. You’ll also walk through the Gion district of Kyoto to learn how Kyoto has been a center for the geisha’s traditional art for centuries. This kaiseki dinner and walking tour is a rare occasion for you to see and learn about the traditions of the geisha, and your small group is limited to eight people.
After your guide picks you up at your hotel, begin your evening with a walking tour through Kyoto’s buzzing Gion district. Stroll past restaurants, teahouses and theaters, many of which have been exclusive establishments for geisha entertainment for centuries.
View Minami-za, Japan’s oldest kabuki theater, and make a quick detour through Hanamikoji Street. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a geisha—called geiko in Kyoto—as she heads to her first appointment of the evening. Geisha translates to ‘art person,’ and traditional singing, dancing, musical instruments and other arts, including ikebana (flower arrangement) and the tea ceremony, are her specialties.
From Yasaka Shrine, explore northern Gion, crossing Tatsumibashi Bridge and strolling alongside the tranquil Shirakawa Canal. After the walk, your small group will meet one of the exquisitely dressed entertainers at a private restaurant. This special occasion includes a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner. The fresh, seasonal meal is yet another tantalizing example of Kyoto's cultural riches.
The kaiseki starts with an aperitif, followed by a selection of beautifully arranged appetizers. You’ll sample a variety of delicious dishes for your main course and finish with a light dessert.
During the meal, the maiko will chat and pour drinks, and even invite you to play some Japanese drinking games. Your guide translates your questions, enabling you to have a conversation with her. Gain a better sense of her profession and Japan's ancient culture throughout your meal. After dinner, turn your attention to the performance featuring traditional dances and songs.
Take photos throughout the evening to remember this rare experience of dining with a geisha in Kyoto's Gion district. Afterward, your guide will escort you back to your hotel.
Please note: A minimum of two people per booking is required.
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