All Reviews for Cultural Experiences

I signed up for the 1:00 PM session, and despite it being the middle of a holiday weekend, there were few participants, so I felt very fortunate to be almost directly in front of the maiko in the front row. The responses during the Q&A were very polite, and I was able to hear enjoyable and interesting stories. The maiko was very cute, and I, as an older man, couldn't help but feel a bit smitten. I would like to take advantage of this opportunity again if possible.

13:00からの回に申し込みました、連休の中日にもかかわらず参加者が少なく最前列の舞妓さんのほぼ正面でとても得した気分でした。質疑応答のお応えもとても丁寧で楽しく興味深い話が聞けました。とても可愛らしい舞妓さんだったので私の様なオジサンは鼻の下が伸びっぱなしでした。また機会があれば利用したいと思います。

Had an awesome time and would highly recommend. The restaurant is gorgeous and the staff extremely hospitable. The kaiseki dishes were very well liked by the three of us and their proprietary sake was excellent.

Our interpreter Peter was super chill and knowledgeable. Lastly our maiko, Kana Sue was fascinating to watch - the makeup, hair style, kimono, and all the meanings behind each intention of dress; the couple of dances she performed; and the hospitality services. Not to mention learning of her and many other girls' extremely committed lifestyle choice and what that entails to become a geisha was an eye opening seminar.

I would have liked to see some singing and instrument playing, but perhaps requesting a geisha over a maiko would have been prudent. An interpreter is necessary unless your fluent. Overall it was a highlight of my trip and I would do again.

We rented a private boat as a family. It was a hot day with a 12:00 boarding time, but the boat had a roof, so it wasn't hot at all, and it felt very pleasant. We had lunch on the boat, bringing our own rice balls and other snacks. Along the way, a convenience store boat came by, and we bought some pickled cucumbers, which made for the perfect lunch with our rice balls and croquettes! They got really close to us, and their maneuvering skills were impressive.

The captain spoke to us gently at key moments, showing consideration for our family's relaxing time. It was a very satisfying hour! Thank you!

家族で貸切で乗りました。12:00からの乗船で暑い日だったのですが、船には屋根もあり暑くなく、とても気持ちよかったです。船の中でお昼ご飯を食べました。おにぎり等持ち込みました。途中水上コンビニの船が来てくださり、きゅうりの浅漬を買い持ち込んだおにぎりとコロッケで最高のランチが出来ました！ギリギリまで近寄ってくれてその操作技術が素晴らしかったです。
船頭さんは要所要所で穏やかに話しかけてくださり、家族でゆっくりしている時間を気遣ってくださいました。大満足の1時間でした！ありがとうございました！

During my short stay in Kyoto, I looked for experiences that would allow me to savor Japan. International guests prefer tours that are not solely for overseas visitors; they enjoy tours that Japanese customers can also appreciate.

The riverside setting wasn't cool, but it was a very lovely location where I could enjoy watching the maiko, making it a truly valuable experience. It became a wonderful memory for my family.

京都での短い滞在期間で、日本を味わえるものを探しました。
海外からのゲストは、海外のゲストばかりのツアーは好みません
日本のお客様が楽しめるツアーを好みます。

川床は涼しくはなかったですが、とても素敵なロケーションで
舞妓さんの鑑賞もでき、とても価値のある体験ができ嬉しかったです。
家族のいい思い出になりました。

Since I arrived early to the appointment, the instructor started the lesson earlier with little preparation needed which was very much appreciated.

The lesson itself was great. Even though English was harder for her, she still communicated well how to play the instrument by demonstrating and giving verbal explanation, which helped me learn quickly. Since I had learned the song she had prepared for the lesson, she was flexible and had two other songs that I could play and I had a great time learning and playing the instrument.

She also gave me small sweets and took the time to talk to me after the lesson. She took the time to accommodate beyond what I had expected from the lesson, and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to learn.

I will keep the name private, but the maiko was very cute and I had a great time. Thank you for the dance and the Q&A session. I was healed by your smile! ♪

お名前は伏せますが舞妓さんがとても可愛い方でとても楽しかったです。踊りも、質問タイムもありがとうございます。笑顔に癒されました♪

Everything was perfect. The beautiful, elegant ambiance, the service, the food and the Geiko performance. We spent a marvelous time. Thank you all.

A really memorable and amazing experience with this Maiko Dance and dinner tour. We were escorted to a beautiful and spacious dining hall at Shozan Resort Kyoto. It is an incredibly lovely resort with a beautiful Japanese garden. A traditional and a delicious Japanese dinner was served. (Menu: Saki dzuke “appetizer”, Ha sun “ha-sun assortment”, Otsukuri “sliced raw fish”, Ipoin “a dish”, Konami “small saucepan”, Agemono “fried food”, Gohan “rice”, Kounomono “pickle” , Mizumono “dessert”, While we were enjoying our dinner, a stunningly beautiful Maiko (her name is Kimisora, the meaning of her name is dream) came out onto the stage and performed a brief dance. Kimosora san talked about some geisha history and her own stories of how and why she becomes a Maiko. Kimosora san was fascinated about geisha and their stories when she was a kid and determined to become a geisha one day. She is a friendly and sweet and elegant lady. Her English is excellent. She also showed us her extraordinary beautiful kimono and her special makeup and hairdo. Surprisingly we were given an extra long Q and A time (at least 30 mins or so) with her and we could ask any questions. She answered every question attentively and precisely. At the end we could all take several photos with her. (A reminder to myself : never touch the geisha hands or their clothes and this is an absolute respect to a geisha). During the whole meeting I could also take many photos freely. Kimisora san gave us her name card at the end of the dinner. It was a really really wonderful and memorable evening. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to meet a maiko in an extremely relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. If I ever visit Tokyo in the future I would join this tour again. A great and joyful life experience. My best wishes to Kimisora san and thank you Veltra for making my dream come true.

We went into it without prior knowledge of the venue, the actual setup or the details of the experience, and i was at awe of the arrangement and the experience, truly a once of a life-time experience you cannot miss if you plan to visit Kyoto!

The venue was superb, the restaurant being reserved solely for us, a genuinely private experience. However, I have to note that the initially, it wasn't a pleasant start due to a misunderstanding by the host restaurant staff. As the lead of the group I approached the front door of the venue, only to be shouted at by an elderly male saying that this is private and i have to leave. I tried to approach him to show him my reservation as i was trying to explain that we are the ones who booked the venue but his attitude got more aggressive and did not want to hear anything i had to say. I was not going to start the experience with conflict so i left and got in touch with the emergency number on the voucher, who immediately resolved the issue and the man later apologized for his behavior. I understand that tourist have been a bit of a hassle lately for Kyoto and hence do not take it personally, however for future reservations, please note of this and don't let it ruin your day.

As for the main experience, there are no words to summarize how magical, pleasant and lovely the rest of the evening was. The translator, an expert in Geisha Tradition was superb, providing us with a detailed history of the tradition and guiding us on how to enjoy the experience as it plays out. The shimasen, Gecko, Geisha and Maikos made us feel like honorary guests and provided us with the most authentic and personal experience we have ever enjoyed, a lovely mix of dance, song, food, entertainment and conversation. Although i say it is a once in a life-time experience, i will definitely book when i visit the country again!

The explanation from the microphone was loud (a common opinion among 13 customers). I wonder why it couldn't be done in English since the maiko spoke softly when addressing us. Although we didn't participate, most of those who experienced the matcha ceremony proceeded without proper explanations, leaving them confused. It hardly felt like a traditional cultural experience. As someone who has practiced tea ceremony for many years, I hope they can find ways to "convey" the true purpose of tea ceremony rather than just scratching the surface. It was nice that we were able to take a group photo.

マイクの説明がうるさい( 13人のお客様共通の意見　舞妓さんに話しかける時は少しソフトなのでなぜ英語でできないのか疑問。　私たちはしませんでしたがお抹茶体験の方のほとんどは何をどうして良いのか適切な説明がないままさっさと進行しわけわからない　伝統文化体験とは到底言えない感じでした。
茶道を長年している者として　表面的ではなく真の茶道の目的を「伝える」よう工夫して欲しい。
グループ写真取れたのは良かったです。

The meal, dance, and game were all incredible. Our translator was great and provided fun facts and history of Geisha culture.

The location of the restaurant was impressive as well as the room, and the kaiseki dinner was really delicious.
Of course, the highlight of the evening was the performance of the amazing maiko san.
It was a unique experience to have maiko san dance just for us and have a talk with us.

Everything was great, we played and won with Maiko.

Todo fue genial , hemos jugado y ganado con Maiko

I was able to enter at the designated time. It was fun to ask questions to the maiko and play games with them. If you lose, you get to drink alcohol. I thought it was a good strategy to lose, so I did. However, since you can also drink if you win, I think it's better to win. You shouldn't miss the maiko's dance either. For the final photo opportunity, it's good to bring two cameras. Since there were only a few people that day, I was able to experience everything. At the end, the maiko waved goodbye as I took a taxi home.

入店の時間で入場することが出来ました。舞子さんに質問したり、舞妓さんとのゲームが面白いです。負けるとお酒がのめます。負けるが得策に思い負けました。しかし、勝ってもお酒が飲めるので勝つのが良いと思います。又舞妓さんの踊りも見逃せません。最後は記念撮影はカメラを２個持っていくと良いです。この日は少数でしたので全体験することが出来ました。最後に舞妓さんのタクシーで帰る所につき手を振ってくださいました。

Thank you very much for this valuable experience! Meeting a maiko has been a dream of mine for many years, and I was so happy to finally meet one! I truly appreciate your kind and attentive service! I hope to have the opportunity again in the future!

この度はご貴重な経験をさせていただき本当にありがとうございました！
舞妓さんに会うことが長年の夢だったのですが、お会いできてとても嬉しかったです！とてもご丁寧なご対応ありがとうございました！
また機会がありましたらよろしくお願いいたします！

We took a private yakatabune (houseboat) ride for the first time with four people. What was great was not only the scenery but also the kindness of the boatman, who spoke to us at just the right distance, neither too close nor too far. He was a wonderful person.

We brought our own bento, but along the way, a shop boat came by, and we purchased some mitarashi dango (sweet rice dumplings). It was such a nice surprise. I plan to recommend this experience to others as well.

四人で貸切の屋形船に初めて乗船しました。
何が良かったかって、景色もさることながら、船頭さんが優しくて、付かず離れずよい距離感でお話ししてくださったことです。とても良い方でした。
お弁当は持ち込みましたが、途中、売店の船が来てくれて、みたらし団子を購入。こういうのもすごく嬉しいです。周りにも勧めようと思います。

The staff are very warm and welcoming. Also, the view of the river and mountain was beautiful.

The staff are very warm welcoming. Also the view of the river and mountain was billions:)

The weather was perfect with no wind, and we enjoyed the view of Arashiyama from the yakatabune (houseboat). The boatman kindly explained the surrounding scenery with a touch of humor. Since it was a private charter, we spent a luxurious time eating the lunch we brought with us.

風もなく天気最高で屋形船の上から嵐山
の景色を堪能しました。
船頭さんも親切にユーモアを交えながら周囲の景色を説明して頂きました。
貸し切りなので自分たちで持ち込んだお昼を食べながら優雅なひとときを過ごしました。

We truly had the boat to ourselves and enjoyed a leisurely time on the water. My friends were also happy to enjoy the conversations and scenery inside the yakatabune for an hour.

本当に貸し切りで、ゆっくり舟遊びを楽しめました。
友人達も一時間の屋形船の中での会話や風景を楽しめたと喜んでいました。

I was assigned to the second row, but since the first row had empty seats, I ended up in the front row. I was moved to see the maiko up close. The maiko was cute and had a wonderful smile. The experience was quite fulfilling with tea ceremony, photo opportunities, a Q&A session, traditional games, and performances. Both photos and videos were allowed. However, I was surprised by the strong tone of the host when addressing foreign guests, even though their English was fluent.

2列目指定でしたが1列目が空席でしたので結果的に最前列でした
すぐ近くで舞妓さんを見れて感動しました
舞妓さんは可愛くて笑顔が素敵でした
お点前、写真撮影、質問タイム、お座敷遊び、舞
とかなり充実していました
写真も動画もOKでした
ただ司会の方が流暢な英語なのですが外国の方を注意する時の口調が強くてびっくりしました

We were taken care of during a three-generation girls' trip. At my daughter's request, we had the experience of wearing life jackets and operating the boat with a single rod! We also had the chance to feed the ducks on the water. We could buy mitarashi dango and amazake at the water-side convenience store.

The conversation with the boatman, who shared trivia about Togetsukyo Bridge, was very enjoyable, and the hour flew by. We were lent thick cushions and blankets, allowing us to relax comfortably. It was a luxurious experience that only a private charter can offer.

I felt really lucky to have booked this plan with Veltra.

親子3世代女子旅でお世話になりました。
娘の希望でライフジャケット着用で一本竿で船を操る体験もさせて頂きました！水上にいる鴨への餌やり体験。水上コンビニでみたらし団子、甘酒を買うこともできました。
　渡月橋雑学を交えた船頭さんとの会話がとても楽しくあっという間の1時間でした。
　厚めの座布団に膝掛けまで貸していただけたのでゆっくりと過ごせました。貸切ならではの贅沢をさせていただきました。
　ベルトラさんのこのプランで予約を取れて本当にラッキーでした。

I was able to interact with a real maiko in Kyoto. It was truly a fulfilling experience and has become a lifelong memory.

京都へ行って本物の舞妓さんと触れ合う事が出来た事
本当に充実した体験になりました。
一生の思い出になりました。

On the fourth day since her debut as a maiko, Kanrin came to visit. We enjoyed watching the dance and took individual commemorative photos. Although I quickly lost at the games in the Hanamachi, it was a lot of fun. I would like to use this service again.

舞妓さんデビューして、４日目の叶鈴さんが来てくれました。踊りを鑑賞したり、個人記念撮影など、花町遊びもすぐ負けましたが、楽しかったです。又、利用したいです。

この体験は全体的にとても素晴らしかったです。舞妓に質問をするのが面白く、彼女のパフォーマンスを見ることもできました。彼女の千社札（名刺）を受け取るのもユニークな体験でした。英語のサポートがあるとは思っていなかったので、これは大きな助けになりました。リストには翻訳があるとは書かれていなかったので、私は日本語を話し、グループのために翻訳するつもりでした。

さて、いくつか改善できる点があったと思います。SS席には誰も座っていなかったので、イベントが始まる前に購入の機会を提供してほしかったです。予約をしたときにそのオプションがあった記憶はなく、可能であれば購入していたと思います。また、参加者の中には失礼な行動をする人もいました。一人の男性の携帯電話がずっと鳴っていて、子供たちが歩き回っていました。スタッフが彼らに携帯電話を静かにするようにお願いし、座っているように促してほしかったです。

それ以外は素晴らしい体験で、また来たいと思います。

This experience was overall pretty great - it was interesting to ask the maiko questions and to see her perform. Receiving her senjafuda (business card) was also a unique experience. I didn’t expect English support as the listing gives no indication that they will be translating everything - I speak Japanese and planned on translating for my group, so this was a big help.

Anyway, a few points I thought could have been better. Nobody was sitting in the SS seats, so I wish they had offered the opportunity to purchase them before the event began - I don’t remember having the option when I booked the reservation, and I would have bought them if possible. Additionally, some of the attendees had some rude conduct - one man’s phone kept chiming throughout, and some children were walking around. I wish the staff had asked them to silence their phone and remain seated.

Otherwise, it was a great experience and I’d come back again.

I thought there would be a large number of people, but there were just a little over ten, so it didn't feel too cramped. The Kyoto cuisine was delicious, and the performances by the geisha were entertaining, which made me very satisfied. If I have the opportunity to go to Kyoto again, I would like to participate once more. I believe anyone who is interested should definitely join, as I think they will be satisfied.

人数が多いかと思ったが、１０人ちょっとであまり窮屈に感じなかった。
京都料理は美味しく、舞妓さんの芸も面白く、満足だった。京都に行く機会があれば、また参加したい。
参加すれば満足すると思うので、気になる方は是非参加すべきだと思う。

My relatives from abroad came to Japan. Since it was their first time in Kyoto, I wanted to create a special memory, so I made a reservation. My child and I had just traveled to Kyoto five months ago, so I thought it would be nice to experience something we wouldn't normally do on a typical trip. Since it was summer, we opted for a riverside dinner. I had always wanted to go to a riverside dining experience in Kyoto during the summer. I planned it as a surprise for my relatives without explaining the details of the dinner, as it was also a day when they could meet a maiko.

The sukiyaki we chose was very generous in portion. The meat was tender and delicious. The riverside was cool, and the sound of insects was refreshing. The lanterns reflected beautifully on the river surface, adding to the ambiance. The charming maiko greeted us with a smile, and we were able to take many photos. The staff were also quick to take pictures for us and were very accommodating with refills of tea and other requests. The bus driver was also very friendly. My foreign relatives and my child loved it, and it was a great decision. Being able to see the maiko's dance up close created wonderful memories. I would love to go again!

海外からの親戚が来日。初めての京都ということで、何か特別な思い出になれば、と申し込みました。同行する私と子供は５ヶ月前に京都旅行をしたばかり。。私たちにとっても普通の京都旅行では経験しないことを、と思い、夏ということもあり、川床の夕食にしました。夏に京都に行くなら川床にいきたい、と常々おもっていました。舞妓さんにも会える日程ということで、親戚にはどんな夕食か詳しく説明せず、サプライズにしました。
選んだすき焼きはボリュームたっぷり。お肉も柔らかく美味しい。川床も涼しく、虫の声が涼しげ。川面に写る提灯も情緒たっぷり。そして可愛らしい舞妓さんがにこやかに応対してくれ、写真もたくさんとらせていただきました。スタッフのかたも写真を撮ってくれたり、お茶などのおかわりも、すぐ快く対応してくれました。バスの運転手さんもとても愛想のいいかたでした。外国人の親戚にも、子供にも大好評で、大正解でした。舞妓さんの踊りを間近で見ることができ、素敵な思い出になりました。またぜひ行きたいです！

I live in Kyoto and often have the opportunity to visit Gion and the geisha districts. This time, a friend from out of town wanted to meet a maiko, but since a real okiya experience costs several hundred thousand yen, I made a reservation for a beginner-friendly option. Surprisingly, the maiko's dance, the tea ceremony, and the traditional games were all very enjoyable and highly recommended for first-timers. Plus, it's affordable, so feel free to give it a try!

私は京都在住の者です　日頃から　祇園や花街に行く機会がありますが
　今回は地方からの友人が　舞妓さんに会いたいと言うものですから　本物のお座敷では数十万の費用が掛かりますので　初心者向けということで予約しました　ところが　案外と舞妓さんの踊り　茶道のお点前　そしてお座敷遊びなどなど　初めての方の入門編としてとてもお勧めです　おまけに安価ですので　お気軽に、、、、

The pillar was in the way.
I arrived a bit early and got in at the top, but there were already attendees from the previous program, and we ended up on the side. Additionally, the front seats required an extra fee. We also ended up with a group of students who stood right in front of us while we were sitting. Of course, there was no warning.

柱が邪魔でした。
また、少し早めに行ってトップで入りましたが、すでに前のプログラム入場者がいて、端の方になり、前の席は別途料金がいりました。また、学生の集団と一緒になってしまい、私たちが座ってる目の前で立たれました。もちろん、注意はありませんでした。。

It was very good.
I have experienced private dinners with maiko several times, but this option tour was excellent.
The sunset in Arashiyama was beautiful, the maiko were adorable, and the garden of the restaurant after the rain was very beautiful as well.
It was a tour that felt very reasonably priced.

大変良かったです。
舞妓さんと貸し切り夕食など、何回か経験しましたが今回のオプションツアーはとても良かったです。
夕暮れの嵐山も良かったし、舞妓さんも可愛かったですし雨上がりの夜の料亭のお庭もとても美しかったです。
とても割安感のあるツアーでした。

I arrived a little early, but thank you for your assistance. Since it was just us, we were able to take our time and enjoy the experience.

少し早めに着いたのですが、ご対応いただき有難うございました。私どもだけなので、じっくり拝見できました。