Discover Geisha Arts: Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Your local guide will tell you about the traditions from an insider perspective about Geisha culture. At the same time you'll explore Gion's beautiful streets, temples, shrines, and shops, for a comprehensive overview of historic Kyoto. The mysterious world of Geisha can seem exclusive and challenging to discover, but on my experience

･In the first half we will walk in Gion and discuss the living traditions, their lifestyle and history.

･In the second half we will meet an apprentice geisha, Maiko. First we will talk with and ask her questions. Also we will watch her dancing, having one of these, a cup of tea or lunch or dinner together.

*Picture and filming of Geisha is fine but not allowed to post it in public.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Not recommended for travelers with leg problems.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

1.5-2 hours guiding in Gion, the geisha district

45-min Geisha meeting and show (An apprentice geisha dance with one or two songs)

Tip for Maiko, an apprentice geisha

What To Expect

Let's learn what Kabuki is and the feminine beginning of the theater. You maybe know the current Kabuki is performed just by men but you wouldn’t know the beginning was just by women.

15 minutes•Admission Not Applicable

Minamiza Theater

Look at the actual architecture of the oldest Kabuki theater and hear the story of the impressive corroboration of VR and Kabuki.

10 minutes•Admission Not Applicable

Options

Dinner with Geisha

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes: Walking tour in the Geisha district (1.5 hours) and dinner at the restaurant (2 hours) including Geisha show(1 hr).
Japanese dinner included: Sharing platters of Japanese food. *Vegetarian menu is not available.
*This is a group activity

Tea break with Geisha

Duration: 3 hours: Walking tour in the Geisha district (1.5 hours) and tea break at the cafe (1.5 hours) including Geisha show(1 hr).
One drink included
*This is a group activity.

Lunch with Geisha

Duration: 3 hours: Walking tour in the Geisha district (1.5 hours) and lunch at the restaurant (1.5 hours) including Geisha show(1 hr).
Japanese lunch plate included: You could choose from those options: Karaage(Japanese fried chicken), Sashimi(Raw fish cut in pieces), Tempra, Daily special.
*This is a group activity.

Reviews

4.96

423 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

409

Truly memorable cultural experience
Mia T,
Jun 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was a really interesting and unforgettable experience. I totally recommend it. Having the opportunity to actually sit and speak with a Maiko (apprentice geisha) was a once in a lifetime cultural opportunity. I'm so very glad I booked this experience. It is something my son and I will never, ever forget. The only downside I would say or feedback I would give, is that it's a shame we were not allowed to share pictures from our experience on social media so that we can spread the word more widely, to more people, about this incredibly special opportunity.
beautiful
Tina T,
Jun 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00
our guide Kenta was so knowledgeable and informative. The tour was so interesting in the beautiful Gion district. The show was so nice and enlightening.
Great Tour!
Rachel L,
Jun 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Kenta is most knowledgeable and passionate about Japanese tradition and culture. We had a great time. Would recommend this tour to others.
Thank you Ken
Michael P,
Jun 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Our guide Kenta was wonderful! Geisha(Geiko) history was informative and Meiko performance was excellent.
A lovely night out in Gion
EmilyJane C,
Jun 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We were really happy with this nighttime walk in Gion and Miyagawa. I've noticed online (with respect to other evening tours, not this one) that people complain about the food, the lack of glimpsing any geishas in the streets, and so forth, but we have no such complaints about this smallish group visit with Ken's Tours, conducted by the friendly and ebullient Akari. Akari speaks excellent English, is very personable, and apparently grew up in the very area in which she gave us a tour. We saw more than one geiko hurrying off to an appointment, and we had a lovely and very interesting time meeting a maiko (apprentice geisha) who performed for us. It was very interesting to meet someone so young and so sure about her path as to commit to the geisha lifestyle without any peer or family pressure. The performance took place in a private upstairs room in a restaurant after/while we ate dinner. The food was solid in quality. Nothing to complain about, but nothing extraordinary. I would note that this is a more expensive tour than many others, and not just because dinner is included. Because we did few guided tours and only this one in Gion, I have no way to compare it to anything similar, but we felt it was worth it.