I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I am absolutely fascinated with the story of the Japanese Geisha. Ever since reading Memoirs of a Geisha, I was determined to see one in real life.
So when I heard about the Gion District in Kyoto, I made sure to add it to the top of my “to see” list.
The streets of Gion made me feel like I had been transported in time back to the 18th century. Take a look at this picture and tell me that you don’t feel the same way:
Here, if you’ve got the money, you can dine with geisha and maiko (geisha in training). “How much does it cost?” you might ask. Well, if you find a good deal, you’re looking at $500 USD easy. Most restaurants require you to reserve and pay in advance. Some places are so exclusive that the only way to get in is if you personally know a customer of the restaurant who can put in a good word for you. So if having a private dinner and being entertained by a geisha is on your bucket list, you better start saving and reserving now!
And now, for a little bit of history…because ignorance is not bliss my friends. Take every opportunity to learn something new!
The origin of the geisha we know today can be traced back to courtesans who used to entertain warriors in pleasure houses. That’s where we get the negative stereotype that geishas are prostitutes. But if you haven’t guessed it already…they are not. Geishas are simply skilled entertainers. In the past, they were hired by wealthy men to entertain them during social events or private dinners. Geishas are skilled in the art of conversation, dining, art, music, dancing, and singing. The tradition of geishas began in the 18th century and reached its peak by the 1920s.
Fun fact: Did you know that geisha were originally men? It was men who began the tradition of entertaining at parties with dance and music. But, women soon followed suit and became more popular.
These days, there are only 1 to 2 thousand practicing geisha left.
So if you don’t happen to have an extra $500 laying around to have a private dinner with a geisha, what do you do?
Well I would recommend going to Yasaka Hall at Gion Corner to watch their geisha performance. It’s basically a show that lasts about 1 hour. Best part, it’s only 3,150 yen (~30 USD). You don’t need to make a reservation, but you will need to show your passport. There are only 2 shows. One is at 6pm and the other at 7pm. So you’re going to want to get there early to wait in line for the ticket box to open.
You will not only get to see geisha and maiko dance, but you will also see other traditional Japanese arts such as traditional music, a comedy play, flower arrangement (aka, perfect time for a bathroom break), tea ceremony, and puppet theatre.
Seriously, if you want to experience geisha on a budget…this is the way to go.
Okay, this puppet show was supposed to be VERY dramatic…but it came across as hilarious. You could clearly see the people holding the puppets. And just LOOK at the way the puppet climbs the stairs. LOOK! I promise you will not be disappointed!
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Click here to see my other post about Kyoto: https://steemit.com/travel/@wlsghwjd/come-with-me-to-kyoto-japan
With much love,
~ Jay