Kyoto: 90-mins Geisha (Maiko) Show in a Zen Temple

Step into an intimate Kyoto maiko show at Kounji Temple, where traditional dances, Japanese games, matcha, and personal interaction bring geisha culture to life.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the designated meeting point and make your way into Kounji Temple, a 13th-century Zen Buddhist temple and Japanese garden near Nanzenji Temple and the Philosopher’s Path. Ordinarily closed to the public, the temple offers a rare setting for this Kyoto maiko experience.

What to expect

• Get to know a geisha-in-training and watch her perform traditional Japanese dances in an intimate group limited to just 10 participants.

• During the maiko’s break, your English-speaking interpreter explains the significance of the song and dance while answering your questions.

• Take part in zashiki asobi, a traditional Japanese parlor game, for a more interactive glimpse into Kyoto’s geisha culture.

• Relax with freshly served matcha before having dedicated time to ask the maiko questions through the English-speaking interpreter.

• Capture the moment during a dedicated photo session, giving you a personal keepsake from this unique Kyoto experience.

• The maiko returns for another traditional dance, rounding out the 90-minute show with a second glimpse of this refined art form.

• After the performance, join your guide for a tour of the Buddhist Hall and Japanese garden, as time allows, before concluding your visit.