Kyoto Private Maiko Entertainment with Tea Ceremony & Photo Op reviews, Kyoto tours & activities, fun things to do in Kyoto (With pictures only) | VELTRA

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Kyoto Private Maiko Entertainment with Tea Ceremony & Photo Op

Overall Rating

4.86 4.86 / 5

Reviews

84 reviews
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Fabulous experience

Reviewed by: Michelle, 2020/03/28

We had a wonderful time as a family watching the tea ceremony. It was very interesting and lovely to be able to ask loads of questions. My only criticism is we couldn’t find the venue without the help of locals but that too added to the experience.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2020/03/05
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Mesmerizing experience with our Maiko

Reviewed by: Michael T, 2020/01/27

Our tea ceremony with the Maiko was truly one of our favorite things that we did in Japan. She was truly mesmerizing, fascinating, welcoming and so very kind. She was engaging us in really wonderful conversation and gave us such a wonderful glimpse into her life and the hard work it takes to become a Maiko and Geiko. I highly recommend this service and would definitely go back next time I’m in Kyoto. Thank you so much for such a wonderful and memorable experience.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2020/01/18
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Very appreciate

Reviewed by: Mono, 2019/11/24

I book for 9 people and got 2 Maiko. 1 maiko name Tomie is very good in English she teach us play a game and answer our questions very clear. The owner is good in English too. We got a warm welcome and best experience everyone love it. Tea is quite bitter but they have a Japanese sweet that you can share with your friends. And you have permission to take a picture all times. After tea ceremony they come to send you and take a picture in front of a restaurant.

You can follow google map from VELTRA website and please save a picture of the restaurant because they don’t have a name in English and cannot search in google map apps

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2019/11/22
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Great experience!

Reviewed by: Roxana, 2019/08/11

It was a great experience for me and my family! We realy enjoyed the time with mayko-san: the dance, the tea ceremony, the conversation or the pictures.

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2019/08/09
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Amazing experience-highlight of our trip

Reviewed by: EmilyJ, 2019/07/01

I am so thankful to have found this experience online. I have been fascinated by Geisha culture and history for a long time and to be able to have this chance was amazing. The tea house owner spoke wonderful English and gave us a very quick, but thorough history of Geikos and Maikos. She also took some photos for us during the tea, and outside the teahouse before we began, which was nice.

Tomichie, the Maiko, was a complete delight. She also spoke wonderful English and really was breathtaking during the dance. You can tell how much practice goes into the work that she does. During the Q&A session she gave thoughtful answers and was interested in ours too. I think we could've chatted with her much longer, but sadly our time went by so quickly. Watching her with my son, 6, was heartwarming. He said that this experience was the highlight of our trip in Kyoto (and I don't disagree with him)!

  • He was so excited

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2019/06/26
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Once in a lifetime experience exceeded expectations

Reviewed by: Meghan, 2019/03/05

It was wonderful to have this authentic experience. Great environment both the teahouse mother and the geiko-san were gracious and accommodating. They're truly dedicated to the geisha art and educating people about.

We learned so much and enjoyed our time at the Tomikiku tea house.

I would highly recommend. This is one of the highlights of our trip!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2019/02/27
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Wonderful experience. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by: hqd, 2018/04/15

It has been my wish for a while now to meet a maiko/geiko in person, and I finally got a chance to meet Tomichie-san. My family of eight really enjoyed watching Tomichie-san performed the traditional tea ceremony, and we really appreciate our host explaining the different aspects of the ceremony to us. After the ceremony, Tomichie-san performed a dance, then Q&A, and we had some time to play a little game with her. Tomichie-san graciously showed us her beautiful kimono and hairstyle, and was so patience with all of the photos that we were taking. If/when we come back to Kyoto again, we will definitely do this again.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2018/03/18
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Warm-hearted Japanese people

Reviewed by: Joe, 2018/03/25

The address is not easy to find out but the warm-hearted Japanese old man guided us to the shop. Tidy and clean. Unforgettable experience to meet Maiko and tea ceremony for the our all family.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2018/03/06
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wonderful first experience

Reviewed by: Dominique, 2018/03/03

Our Maiko prepared tea and performed a spring dance. Later she came to sit with us and was willing to answer all of our questions and we were welcome to take whatever picture or video.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2018/02/27
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Kyoto Hospitality not to be missed.

Reviewed by: Nicole, 2017/12/31

This experience was Kyoto culture and hospitality at its finest. Everyone we met went above and beyond from the moment we arrived. As at all tea houses, guests are required to remove their shoes, but I had a broken foot and was not allowed to walk without my walking boot. The tea house mother kindly accommodated by finding a bag to tie over the boot. We enjoyed watching Maiko perform the traditional tea ceremony while an interpreter explained the process. We learned the proper way to enjoy the tea as well. After a wonderful dance we were given time for a question and answer session with Maiko followed by a photo opp. Maiko even came outside for photos need the tea house door. She was absolutely a pleasure to spend the afternoon with as was the interpreter. Highly recommended. Tip: the directions given on Veltra are quite accurate, but the door is unmarked (or at least unmarked by English). Just find the door by location and go through the curtain.

  • Maiko performs the tea ceremony.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/12/05
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perfect for everyone

Reviewed by: giulya, 2017/10/18

was a great experience and we had a great time,was so beautiful and so speachless.

  • was very beautiful

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2017/10/16
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Beautiful experience

Reviewed by: Benjinito, 2017/09/23

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We were slightly concerned that this would turn out touristy, but we had a beautiful and authentic experience that we will always remember. The price might seem a little high on the surface, but it is very rare to get a chance to meet and have a private conversation with a maiko. The maiko that we met (Tomitsuyu) spoke perfect English and shared so many interesting things with us: her childhood, her daily life as a maiko, her aspirations. Videos and photos were encouraged throughout the entire experience.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/08/28
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A dream come true!

Reviewed by: Maricarmen, 2017/08/06

I had always wanted to see a real Maiko and, although a bit expensive (considering that I was traveling alone) I decided to do it. It was worth every single yen I paid for it!!
First, the owner of the Tea House is a very kind person. She explained everything to me in fluent English, I learned about tea and she introduced me to Tomitsuyu, the beautiful girl who performed the ceremony.
The sight of Tomitsuyu, the maiko that I met, was breathtaking. She performed the tea ceremony with the utmost care and then she danced a piece. Again, the owner of the Tea House explained to me some details about that dance.
Then it was time for questions. This provided a great insight of this awesome world. Tomitsuyu was very nice and she smiled all the time.
being a photo-addict I took a lot of pictures and she was kind enough to let me take as many as I wanted. The owner of the tea house even took my picture with her both in and outside the tea house.
I am seriously considering doing this again. It was an incredible experience and a moment of pure beauty and wonder. Two of the most fascinating Japanese traditions (tea ceremony and Maiko dances) combined.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2017/07/21
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Tea time with a Meiko

Reviewed by: Alayna, 2017/07/12

This was an amazing and intimate experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cultural experience. Tommikiku was very welcoming and talented. Her dance was so precise and beautiful. My group and I were all mesmerized

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2017/07/10
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Highly recommended - highlight of our trip to Japan

Reviewed by: Japan2017, 2017/04/28

We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and feel so honoured to have been able to meet and talk to Tomitsuyu who is a wonderful and dignified maiko-san.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/04/21
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Amazing experience!

Reviewed by: Kristi , 2017/03/16

This experience was everything I thought and more! Four of us attended a tea ceremony that included delicious treats beforehand. Our Maiko was beautiful. I enjoyed every moment of her dance, how the tea was prepared, a fun game, conversation and a few photos afterwards. Our English translator was so friendly and made us feel comfortable. She took time to explain things, answer questions and take a group photo. This was one experience I was looking forward to the most coming to Gion, Kyoto. It was one of my favorite experiences from our trip and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a glimpse into Gion's rich history and tradition. Okini!!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/03/09
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Amazing experience not to be missed

Reviewed by: Michael, 2017/02/26

Went as two couples and was a great experience that we all enjoyed. We all learnt so much and we felt so privileged to see Tomitsuyu perform a dance and tea ceremony. We were also very glad that she could speak fluent English so that we could speak to her and ask all kinds of questions. Perfect Japanese experience we will never forget!!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/02/24
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Amazing amazing tea ceremony

Reviewed by: Lynn, 2016/12/20

First of all, most of the group was late but Gion Tomikiku was soooo accommodating! I also asked if I could add more children to the group and they were fine. The hostess met us out on the corner to make sure we would make it! Our hostess made sure the toddler had some cake to keep her busy. And then we had a geiko entertain us and make us tea. We got to ask questions. This is something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl so a dream came true and it was an amazing experience!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2016/12/19
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Up close and personal

Reviewed by: Taylor , 2016/08/26

Never imagined to be sitting next to and speaking to a real geisha. Tomitei (hope I spelled that correctly) is truly beautiful and graceful. Its hard to believe the sacrifice and training these young girls go through. My kids really enjoyed this experience. Short and sweet.

  • Performing her dance

  • Playing games

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2016/08/22
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Experience of a lifetime

Reviewed by: Angela, 2016/08/22

I'd waited a long time to do this! The Maiko was charming, interesting and put us at ease immediately. Fascinating experience with memories to last a lifetime.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2016/07/27
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Amazing

Reviewed by: Neeuqia, 2016/05/16

It was simply amazing. The maiko-san prepared a tea ceremony with grace and poise followed by a fan dance.
The best part for me was when we got to speak to her and take photos.
She shared a lot about the maiko and geiko culture and traditions.
I still cant believe we managed to take photos with a real geisha.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2016/04/18
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Memorable Experience in Gion, Kyoto

Reviewed by: Luchi Villarica, 2016/04/06

Among all our cultural activities in Japan, the tea time with Maiko is the most memorable. Although they only serve the guest one type of tea and traditional Japanese sweets per guest, the experience was still memorable. Guests first witness how tea is produced from scratch by the Maiko and this is followed by any traditional dance number. The Maiko's elegance and grace is perfectly showcased. Her business mother is also very adept at explaining basic facts about the Maiko and the Geisha's way of life. The last part of the tea time is an interview with the Maiko wherein guests can ask questions.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2016/03/23
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富津愈 Hope you fine and the best

Reviewed by: KuangYueh , 2015/08/31

My sister
Hope You Could
Stay longer and better
No matter
Where you stand

  • Beautiful and Elegant Always

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2015/08/29
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Very good!!

Reviewed by: Renata, 2014/09/20

The tour was really good! we enjoyed it very much. The only thing I'd say is that for a moment there, the English translator stepped out of the room leaving us to talk to the maiko in Japanese. I think she did that because she saw I could speak a little Japanese, but my mother, who didn't, was kind of lost - I had to try to make conversation with the maiko and translate it myself for my mother. But it was only for a few minutes and I'm sure you can ask for the translator to stay with you the whole time. The explanations were very thorough and interesting and they answered every question we had. They were really kind and nice. we enjoyed it very much! I recommend!!!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2014/08/28
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