Gion Maiko Tour: Explore Kyoto's Traditional Streets

Discover Gion’s maiko culture with a local guide, stroll traditional streets, and dine in a Kyoto-style restaurant. Unveil secrets of maiko history.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Gion - On this tour, participants will explore the captivating streets of Gion, a quintessential district in Kyoto, celebrated for its traditional wooden machiya houses and well-preserved historical allure. As the group meanders through this cultural epicenter, the expert guide will unravel the mystique of the elusive Geisha. Through engaging…
What's Included
  • Photos during the tour
  • English-speaking guide
  • All-you-can-drink
  • Kyoto Style Course Meal (Vegetarian available with advanced request, limited dishes without fish stock)
  • Maiko Performance
Additional Information

In the birthplace of maiko, Gion, stroll through the traditional streets of Kyoto while learning about the maiko culture from a local guide. After gathering at Gion Shijo Station, the tour will involve walking through the beautiful traditional machiya architecture and streets of Gion, the birthplace of maiko. A local guide will provide explanations…

Location
Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni
In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Your guide will be holding a board saying "Magical Trip
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(147 Ratings)
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Z3578gdcarriek
Aug 14, 2025
Dinner with Maiko - This was one of the best experiences of our entire trip! We really appreciated the one on one time with the maiko! She was amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenwc9671bg
Aug 8, 2025
Amazing maiko experience and dinner! - My mother, niece and I met Rika for our geisha experience at the edge of Gion and set off an an amazing experience. As the only three people who had booked that day essentially had a private tour. We first walked around Gion and Rika provided interesting history and insights we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Then it was time to enter the tea house. Up the stairs we went into our private room for dinner, which consisted of 26 amazing courses (& all we could drink). E chatted over dinner and tasted many wonderful Japanese and Kyoto-specific foods. All of the food was delicious, and even the folks who don’t normally enjoy fish loved all of it. (Make sure you bring your appetite!) Eventually our maiko came in and we had a lovely conversation, mostly with us asking lots of questions, Rika translating, and out maiko patiently answering. It was a fascinating window into her life and why sho chose her profession. Finally, our maiko performed a few dances for us and we played a cup game. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thought it was well worth it. (Maiko not pictured per her request.)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ninanarajapan
Aug 8, 2025
Maiko-san, a special presence - I had a very valuable experience! Maiko was a very young person, but she was friendly during the chat, Rin when she was dancing, and bright when playing games, creating the atmosphere of the place. Josh's guide was detailed and easy to understand, and I learned a lot. Thank you very much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y
Aug 8, 2025
Great tour with Josh - Josh was g great guide. Josh was so friendly and knowledgeable with lots of humor. I enjoyed a lot and learnt about Maiko and Geiko with its unique culture and traditions. The food was amazing and the professional dance and fun communication was such a great experience in Kyoto. Would definitely recommend this tour if you plan to visit Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
265dariol
Aug 5, 2025
Magic of Maiko - Magic, simply magic! To be done once in a life, entering Japanese real tradition and costumes, with someone really living it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T3363uhjakeh
Jul 30, 2025
Excellent Meiko Experience - Rika was a great guide. She was a great leader and very informed. The food was amazing. And the Meiko was delightful. Must do experience in Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cristinaov2107je
Jul 30, 2025
Maiko dinner - Amazing experience! I recommend to everyone!! Must see and amazing food! My favorite part was sitting down and getting to know the Maiko. Best tour so far :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Saravwb
Jul 29, 2025
Lovely evening in Kyoto - Fantastic experience! We could do this every day. A lovely explantion regarding Kyoto & the Geiko/Maiko history. We recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephenf520
Jul 22, 2025
Josh absolutely made our experience meeting a Maiko. - My wife had been wanting to meet a Maiko or a Geiko for 20 years, so it made for the perfect birthday present. When I saw we could combine a dinner, instead of just tea, that was even better. We met Josh, our guide, and pleasantly discovered we were the only ones on his tour. He was very informative and engaging about Kyoto and Gion. However, it was his reverence for the history and conduct of the Geiko and Maiko that made the introduction to our very own Maiko, Fukuyumi, all the more spell-binding. We learned loads about the life of a Maiko and the previous life of Fukuyumi. She was fascinating, but it was made all the better because of Josh's build-up and then his translation assistance. I would recommend Josh and Magical Trip for anyone looking to meet a Maiko.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan_f
Aug 16, 2025
It was okay. - Naja 🫤… Very young girl as Maiko. It wasn't a real conversation or conversation. Guide was very friendly. Food was delicious. Location was also very traditional.
Review provided by Viator
From $308
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).