GEISHA EXPERIENCES-The World of the Geisha.
Walking tours, geisha dances, drinks with a maiko, geisha parties, geisha make-over.

The image of a geisha with her elaborate kimono, and ghost white make up, is one of the most enduring images of Japan. Visiting Japan, specifically Kyoto gives you a unique opportunity to learn more about this secretive and often misunderstood world.

The word geisha translates as person of the arts and geisha must train for many years before they become qualified. Maiko, or trainee geisha, must attend lessons in dance, music, tea ceremony, calligraphy as well as learn how to be a good conversationalist to be able to entertain their clients. Traditionally geisha were trained from childhood, leaving homes in the countryside to move to the O-kiya in the city, but in more recent times, girls will complete their compulsory education before leaving school at fifteen to train as a geisha.

Most of the geisha in Japan live and work in Glon and surrounding districts of Kyoto where they are referred to as geiko in the local dialect. It is here that you are able to spot these graceful women as they rush between appointments in the many tea houses dotted about the back streets. These tea houses, or O-chaya in Japanese, are where the geisha perform for and entertain their customers. Not just anyone can enter a tea house however, you must have an official introduction and as is to be expected of such an exclusive service, you might have to save up for the privilege.

Peter Macintosh
The role and job of a geisha is often misunderstood by many in the West and for this reason Inside Japan Tours has teamed up with a local expert to give our clients a unique opportunity to learn a little more about this hidden world.

After a brief career as a pro-soccer player in the Canadian league, Peter Macintosh set out on a round-the-world-tour beginning in Japan. He never left and has now been resident in Kyoto for the past 13 years. Introduced to the secret world of the geisha by his mentor, a retired local businessman, Peter met his future wife when she was working in the geisha districts of Kyoto. Through study of the geisha arts and the Japanese language, Peter has become recognized as an expert on the geisha districts and recently worked on the movie Memoirs of a Geisha as a location consultant as well as appearing in several television documentaries. Peter knows many of the geisha and maiko working in Glon and has worked with many of them on visits abroad and on work with foreign media and clients.

We are delighted that through our long standing partnership with Peter Macintosh we are able to offer you some truly unique and highly exclusive services, allowing you to experience a little of this mysterious world.

Geisha Walking Tour.
On this walking tour of the Gion kobu geisha district of Kyoto you will have the opportunity to wonder amongst the back streets and tea houses and learn a little more from Peter what being a geisha is all about. Peter will point out houses or building of interest as he explains to you about this magical and usually secretive world. He will also answer any questions you may have about the geisha or Japanese life in general. The ninety minute tour takes you past geisha tea houses, theatres and shops and you may be lucky enough to spot a geisha or maiko as she patters down the street to her next engagement. This tour is a great addition to any stay in the former capital.

Geisha Dances
Every year the four geisha districts of Kyoto stage dance festivals, a tradition which stretches back through the generations. These seasonal performances take place in spring and provide a dramatic spectacle for those lucky enough to obtain tickets. Dressed in elaborate, brightly coloured kimono and accompanied by the staccato strains of the shamisen, the maikos’ graceful and highly stylized movements tell out eternal stories of life, love, death and the simple pleasures of the changing seasons. For those traveling in April we can arrange tickets to the dances including a tea ceremony demonstration before the performance.

Drinks with a Maiko
We are offering you the unique opportunity to meet and spend some time with a Maiko. It is only through our partnership with Peter Macintosh that we are able to offer this service as a formal introduction is needed. Peter will take you on the walking tour as detailed above then accompany you to a local bar or restaurant. With Peter interpreting you will spend ninety minutes having drinks with a maiko who will also perform a traditional dance for you-a chance to experience something of the fascination of this historic and highly exclusive service.

Geisha Party
For small groups we are able to organize a tailor-made evening being entertained by geisha and maiko over traditional meal in a local restaurant. During your sumptuous meal, the geisha and maiko will pour your drinks and talk with you (using Peter Macintosh as an interpreter) after which they will perform traditional songs and dances accompanied by the shamisen (a traditional stringed instrument). This will be an exceptional opportunity to be entertained by these highly skilled women of the arts as a genuine customer and not as a tourist- truly the very cream of Japanese entertainment.

Geisha Dress Up
We can offer you the chance to transform into a geisha, with full make up, geisha wig, choice of kimono and several photo options -a fantastic souvenir of your stay in Kyoto. Men need not feel left out as you can join in too and wear a men’s kimono for that full samurai look!