Maiko practices in the morning and closes in the afternoon until around 3 p.m., when she applies her cosmetics and gets dressed.
In the evening, go to Ozashiki, where Maiko entertains guests.
Well, where is the best place to meet Maiko? How can you see Maiko?
Ozashiki, where Maiko entertains guests.
Where to see: Hanamikoji
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “a place where you can find maiko” in Kyoto is Hanamikoji-dori in Gion.
However, when there are a large number of international tourists, it becomes extremely crowded. You may not be able to meet Maiko at leisure.
Hanamikoji Map
About a 3-minute walk from the city bus Gion bus stop A (blue bus mark), about a 3-minute walk from C stop
About a 3-minute walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station, Exit 6
About a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, 1B Exit
About a 6-minute walk from the southeast corner of the Shijo Kawaramachi intersection
Where to see: Miyagawacho
The best place to see Maiko is Miyagawacho.
When Hanamikoji in Gion is packed with tourists, Miyagawa-cho is recommended. There are much fewer visitors than Hanamikoji.
It is about a 5-minute walk from Hanamikoji-dori in Gion.
The cobblestoned street is lined with teahouses, and you can enjoy the typical Kyoto scenery.
Teahouses are residences where people have a Japanese-style party, invite Maiko or Geisha, and enjoy her performances.
You may also find Maiko practicing in the morning or during breaks!
Miyagawacho Map
About a 10-second walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station, Exit 1
About a 4-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, 1B Exit
Where to see: Pomtocho
There are also Maiko in Pontocho.
Pontocho is close to Keihan and Hankyu stations and bus stops, making it more convenient to access than Hanamikoji and Miyagawacho.
However, it is not as crowded as Hanamikoji, but there are more tourists. And the street is narrow.
Even in Pontocho, you may see Maiko going out to practice or taking breaks.
The photo above was taken at Pontocho around 2 p.m.
If you go between 2 and 3 p.m., you might see some Maiko out on their break.
Pontocho Map
About a 30-second walk from Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, 1A Exit
About a 2-minute walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station, Exit 1
Where to see: Another alternative
Kamishichiken, which has the same entertainment district as Hanamikoji and Miyagawacho, is slightly further from the city center but has significantly fewer tourists.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is nearby and can be visited as well.
How to be sure to see Maiko
Even if you go to places like Hanamikoji or Miyagawacho, there is no guarantee that you will be able to meet Maiko.
Even if you are lucky enough to see Maiko, it may only be for a moment.
Some people might say, “I want to meet Maiko in a more relaxed and reliable way!”
But you need to hang out with Maiko at the teahouse.
Teahouses are residences where people have a Japanese-style party, invite Maiko or Geisha, and enjoy her performances.
However, the teahouse does not accept first-time customers, so it is impossible for tourists to enter without an introduction.
So, is there no choice but to give up?
If you are staying at a Kyoto ryokan and it has connections to the entertainment districts Hanamikouji (Gion-Kobu) and Miyagawacho, you can have Maiko call to your stay.
Dinner Plan with Maiko in GION SHINMONSO
The Kyoto Ryokan Gion Shinmonso is located in Kyoto’s Gion district.
How to see Maiko in other ways
Gion Corner
This show provides a great opportunity to enjoy seven traditional performing arts on one stage. You can also see Maiko’s Kyomai dance.
Kyomai dance is a sophisticated Japanese dance form that originated in Kyoto.
Where Maiko is: Kyoto-Gokagai (Kyoto Five-Hanamachis)
There are five Hanamachies in Kyoto.
Kamishichiken, Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho
Hanamachi is a place where Maiko and Geisha live in Kyoto.(Maiko and Geisha districts)
Maiko are apprentices training to become Geiko, and Geiko is the term used for Geisha in the old capital Kyoto.
Kamishichiken
Kamishichiken began when Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was rebuilt during the Muromachi period, and seven teahouses were built using leftover lumber.
In 1587, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a tea party in Kitano, he presented the famous dango, and Hideyoshi apparently liked the taste.
This is why Kamishichiken uses the five-dango emblem.
Gion Kobu
Gion Kobu is located on Hanamikoji, as introduced above.
This is the first place that comes to mind when you think of a place where you can find maiko in Kyoto.
Gion Kobu is the largest of the Kyoto Gokagai and has the largest number of Maiko.
It is said that teahouses originated around the beginning of the Edo period, when a teahouse in front of the gates of Yasaka Shrine began offering tea and dango to worshipers and cherry blossom-viewing visitors.
Teahouses spread out in front of the gates of Yasaka Shrine and eventually formed the Hanamachi, such as Hanamikoji.
Gion Higashi
1881: Separated from Gion Kobu and became independent. At first, Gion Higashi was called Gion Otobu, but after the war, the name was changed to Gion Higashi.
Pontocho
The construction of the Kamogawa river bank in the early Edo period marked the beginning of Pontocho.
At first, it was a business for sailors on boats going back and forth between Fushimi and Kyoto, but in 1859, permission was obtained, and it began to develop as Hanamachi.
Today’s Pontocho is a narrow street lined with teahouses and restaurants.
Miyagawacho
Miyagawacho is located to the west of Kenninji Temple.
It has a history of about 260 years and currently boasts the second-highest number of Maiko after Gion Kobu.
Additionally, Miyagawacho is especially focused on training Maiko among the Kyoto-Gokagai (Five Hanamachis).
Summary: Where is Maiko in Kyoto?
Gion Kobu on Hanamikoji Street is famous for its Maiko.
However, there are many tourists, and cars pass through Hanamikoji, so it can be a little dangerous.
If you want to see Maiko in a calm environment, Miyagawacho, which is about a 5-minute walk from Hanamikoji, is recommended.
The best place to see Maiko is Miyagawacho.
The streets of Miyagawacho are laid out in an elegant cobblestone style, and the streets are lined with “Kyomachiya townhouses” on both sides, allowing you to fully enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto.
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