All Reviews for VELTRA Exclusives

The maiko was a very cute and skilled performer named Tomitsu Yu. She even said "You're cute and smart" to my 2-year-old baby and shook hands with him. When we left, she saw us off outside. I want to go again.

舞妓さんは富津喩さんという、とても可愛いくお点前、踊りの上手な舞妓さんでした。2歳の赤ちゃんにも「可愛い、賢いなぁ」と言って握手してくれ、帰る時は外まで見送ってくれました。また行きたいです。

We booked the evening not being so sure of what would be the evening since i think the description of the product is not good, you cannot be sure if it a party or dinner.
We spent a wonderful evening with our Maiko in a tea house which in Japan means a private club house.
Dinner was the high Kaseiki Kyoto cuisine, sake was pouring freely.
Our Maiko was delightful, she entertained us and was cute, funny and her dancing was exquisite.
I booked the translation services in order for us to fully appreciate the evening and it was worth every penny, since we could communicate with our Maiko and Peter was very knowledgeable of the Japanese culture.
Great value for money evening, away from the crowed evenings.

We attended the performance with a group of 11 Germans. The maiko and geiko performed dances right in front of us, followed by a tea ceremony demonstration. During the Q&A session afterward, we were able to understand everything correctly, and it was worth it just to share Japan's traditions and culture with them.

If possible, I think it would be great if the application process could be simplified on the website. The Germans were very impressed. I wish you continued success in the future.

Eiko Iikura-Benz

ドイツ人グループ１１名で鑑賞させていただきました。舞妓さん、芸子さん達が目の前で、踊りを披露してくださり、その後お茶のお点前を披露、また、その後の質疑応答等で、正しく理解することだ出来、日本の伝統、文化を知ってもらっただけでも、ご案内した買いがありました。
出来れば、もう少し、HPで簡単に申し込みが出来ればと、考えます。
ドイツ人達は大変感激していました。これからのご発展をお祈り申し上げます。
英子　飯倉ベンツ

I visited with my grandmother and mother. The location of the tea house was easy to find, and we arrived without getting lost. The service from the staff was wonderful; they talked with us and greeted us with smiles from start to finish. The geisha, Tomita Ai, was incredibly charming, and both her dance and conversation were fantastic. We were taught traditional parlor games that we wouldn't normally experience, and we were very satisfied. I also appreciated the staff's thoughtfulness towards my mother. On our way back, they saw us off until we were out of sight in the cold, and I was so moved that I almost cried. I definitely want to visit again. This is truly a recommended plan! Thank you for a wonderful time that will remain in our memories.

祖母、母の3人で利用しました。お茶屋さんの立地も分かりやすく迷わず到着出来ました。
おかあさんの接客が素晴らしく、色々お話ししてくれたり最初から最後まで笑顔で対応して頂きました。
芸妓さんの富多愛さんがとっても可愛いらしくて、踊りもお話しも素晴らしかったです。
普段体験出来ないお座敷遊びも教えて頂き、大満足でした。
おかあさんの母への心遣いも嬉しかったです。
帰りも、寒い中姿が見えなくなるまでお見送りして頂き、感激で泣いてしまいそうでした。
また必ずお邪魔したいと思います。本当にオススメのプランです！
思い出に残る素敵な時間をありがとうございました。

Excellent experience and insight into Japanese culture at first hand. Opportunity to ask questions to the maiko. Would highly recommend

Although it was a mama-chari type and there were a few scratches on the body, it didn't quite give me the "feel-good vibes" from the appearance (laughs), but the maintenance was excellent, so the ride was fantastic! From 12 PM to 7 PM, I was able to zip around Kyoto efficiently, visiting all the places I wanted to see, which was refreshing. The highlight was enjoying the autumn foliage illumination at Eikando, deep in Nanzenji, until 6 PM, and then racing down to Kyoto Station's return terminal in just 45 minutes. For someone like me who gets lost easily, a bicycle is definitely the way to go in grid-like Kyoto! Perhaps due to the autumn foliage season, the 1-day plan I used for 1,300 yen was fully booked on the day, so I was really glad I made a reservation in advance. Since I was taking a night bus home, I wanted to maximize my exploration time, so I would have been happier if there was a plan available until 8 PM instead of 7 PM.

ママチャリタイプだったのと、本体に少しキズがあったので、「見た目からして気分アゲアゲ」とはいきませんでしたが（笑）、メンテナンスが行き届いているので、走りごこちは最高！12時から19時まで、京都市街を縦横無尽に走り回って、行きたい場所を効率よく回れたのは爽快でした。中でも痛快だったのは、18時まで南禅寺のさらに奥、永観堂で紅葉ライトアップを堪能してから、一気に京都をかけ下って、45分で京都駅の返却ターミナルにつけたこと。方向音痴なワタシでも、碁盤の目状の京都なら【自転車】に限ります！紅葉シーズンのためか、私の利用した1day1300円のプランは当日、全車貸出中だったので、事前に予約しておいて本当に良かったです。夜行バスで帰る身としては、少しでも散策時間を長くしたいので、欲を言えば19:00まででなく、20:00までのプランがあると嬉しいですねぇ。

We had booked for 3 and there was only the 3 of us at the session and we were lucky enough to meet the Geisha not the Maiko, but the english speaking host was on her mobile phone the whole time we were there, speaking very loudly and coming in and out of the room. There was also construction noise going on the whole time we were there, not their fault but distracting.

We visited with eight people, and I thought they might have forgotten our reservation. We arrived a little early and called out, but there was no response. When the reservation time came, I shouted "Excuse me!" loudly, and after a while, the innkeeper appeared looking flustered in casual clothes. Even though she said, "I'm sorry for my appearance," we were taken aback as we had imagined her in a kimono.

Furthermore, we were looking forward to enjoying tea served by a maiko, but what was presented to us were mismatched sweets that seemed like leftovers, which we didn't feel like eating and ended up taking home.

However, Futsumi Yu was very cute and a great conversationalist! She kindly answered various questions about the life of a maiko, and we were able to have a fun time.

On our way home, we joked, "They must have forgotten our reservation," but it was disappointing, especially since the maiko was so wonderful.

８人で伺いましたが、予約を忘れられたのかと思いました。
予約時間より少し早めに着いて声をかけましたが、返事はなく、予約時間に再度「ごめんください」と大きな声で叫んで「はーい」と返事があり、しばらくして普段着姿の女将さんがあわてた様子で現れました。「こんな格好ですみませんね」と言われても、着物姿を想像していた私たちは唖然としました。
さらに、舞妓さんのお点前でお茶をいただくのを楽しみしていた私たちの前に出されたのは、ありあわせとしか思えないバラバラのお菓子で、食べる気にもならず持ち帰りました。

ただ、富津愈さんはとても可愛くて、話上手！舞妓さんの生活等、いろんな質問にも丁寧に答えてくださり、楽しい時間を過ごす事ができました。

「きっと、私たちの予約を忘れていたんじゃない？」と話しながら帰りましたが、舞妓さんが素敵だっただけに、残念でした。

Seeing performance by Geisha is a must do in Japan. In the past you need to know someone from the tea house to arrange such activity and a private dinner. It's very nice that we can book private performance and dinner with a Maiko (geisha trainee) via the internet nowadays with English translator. Highly recommended activity.

I went with six friends! We were able to take two-shot photos with everyone, and we had fun dancing and playing traditional games.

I realized that there are not only sightseeing opportunities in Kyoto but also ways to enjoy it like this! It became a wonderful memory.

友達と6人で行きました！
全員とツーショットと写真も撮れて、踊りやお座敷遊びもできて楽しかったです(^^)

京都は観光だけでなく、このような楽しみ方もあるんだと思いました！
すごく思い出になりました。

There are plenty of experiences, including tea, traditional parlor games, and first-time activities, all taught carefully by the maiko and their mothers. Both foreigners and Japanese people can enjoy it.

お茶にお座敷遊びと初体験が盛りだくさんですが、舞妓さんとお母さんが丁寧に教えてくれます。外国人はもちろん、日本人も楽しめます。

We thoroughly recommend meeting Tomikiku. Amazingly gracious, beautiful and entertaining. The children were made welcome and our little girl taken care of when she felt poorly. The house is in a lovely neighbourhood with very kind neighbours who helped us find our way. This was a lovely experience, very memorable and definately a must. The tea is also the best you will taste.

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.

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.

Our guide was great, safe riding and nice places to see (good variety)

We visited with six colleagues from work. It was the day of the Gion Matsuri's Hanagasa procession, and it seemed that the maiko and geiko were busy and bustling, but they graciously entertained us for the entire time. Although it was a small tea house, we were captivated by the beauty of the maiko and geiko's postures and movements up close. It was a very luxurious experience to have the place to ourselves as a group. It was also fascinating to hear the owner explain the traditions. With only an hour, we enjoyed tea, watched a dance, and asked various questions, and before we knew it, time was up. Just as we were hurriedly learning a simple tea house game (Konpira Funefune), our time ran out. However, considering the price, I think it was very reasonable. It was a valuable experience, and I was very pleased.

職場仲間6名でおうかがいしました。祇園祭の花笠巡行があった日で、舞妓さん・芸妓さんも忙しく慌ただしかったようですが、時間めいっぱいもてなしていただきました。小さなお茶屋さんでしたが間近で見る舞妓さん・芸妓さんの立ち姿や所作の美しさにうっとり。我々のグループだけで独占できて、とても贅沢な時間でした。女将さんが伝統について解説してくださるのも興味深かったです。1時間しかないので、お茶をいただき、舞を見せていただき、いろいろ質問していたら、あっという間に時間がなくなります。慌ててお茶屋遊び（こんぴらふねふね）を簡単に教えていただいたところでタイムアップ。でもお値段を考えるととてもリーズナブルだと思います。貴重な体験ができ、とてもよかったです。

Great experience. Very personal and intimate. Learned a lot. Would highly recommend to anyone!

This was such an amazing experience as we had a private audience with our lovely maiko and hostess. We began with a small tea ceremony where our maiko prepared the matcha tea in one of the traditional ways. We were then given a sweet to enjoy with our tea and left in private. During this time we were able to talk with our hostess and owner of the Ochaya. She explained many things about the process of becoming a geisha and told us a little about her life. The maiko then returned and performed a summer dance for us, which was lovely and very elegant. Finally, we were given time in private to speak with her and ask any questions we had. We spent about 20 minutes talking to her as she explained why she decided to pursue this path and answered all our questions in perfect english. When we were finished they both gave us a very fond and kind farewell and walked us out. In true Japanese hospitality as we were leaving they even gave us an umbrella since it was drizzling outside and we had left ours in a cab earlier that day. I cannot say enough about this experience. Everything about it was top notch and above expectation. I highly recommend it to anyone that's interested in geishas, Japanese culture or just wants to try something different.

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.

We had a great time with Maiko! Watching tea ceremony and Maiko dance was very interesting and having a conversation with Tomitsuyo-san helped us to better understand the art of Geiko and Maiko! Thank you so much!

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.

We want to thank Veltra for their efforts to find a Maiko available to meet with us for the making of tea, dance, chat and photo opportunity. This was done at short notice and in peak season when other agencies were not able to help. The event itself was very memorable. It would have helped if the person who oversaw activities at the tea house explained what was going to happen and when we would know it would conclude.

It has been one of my life ambitions to have a Tea Ceremony with a Geiko/Maiko in Kyoto and it exceeded my expectations in every way.

The booking system with Veltra was simple and easy although it took a few days to get confirmation of the booking from the venue itself.

The directions to the Tea House were perfect (especially required with the nature of the Gion area of Kyoto with so many small back streets) and the greeting by the Okasan of the Gion Tomikiku Ochaya (Tea House) was pleasant and informative and she gave us lots of information all through the time of the visit, in good English.

The Tea Ceremony and Dance by the Maiko (Tomitsuyu) was beautiful and exquisite and we had the chance to speak to her for some time after the formalities were over. Tomitsuyu spoke perfect English and was very patient and honest with all the 'obvious' questions we asked of her, which I am sure she has been asked many times before.

There were plenty of opportunities for pictures and videos during the entire visit, which were in fact encouraged by the Okasan and the whole experience was designed to ensure the customer was happy with the event.

The dedication that Tomitsuyu has and the training required to perform so perfectly is a credit to such a young girl and we were in slight awe of the commitment is takes to take such a path in life.

The whole experience will live with me for the rest of my life and was definitely worth the wait and I would recommend anyone who is interested in this to make it a priority during your visit to Kyoto. You will not regret it.

Our family of three had a wonderful experience with the Maiko - green tea and sweets were served in a traditional tea ceremony, our Maiko performed a beautiful dance, talked with us at our table about her life as a Maiko in Kyoto, and then allowed us to have photographs taken with her both inside and outside the venue. Our 13 y.o. son was fascinated and very impressed with the experience, as were we. Highly recommended!

I was able to talk with the maiko and experience traditional entertainment. My friends from Singapore, a couple, were also thrilled and very satisfied with their first experience.

舞妓さんと色々お話しでき、お座敷遊びも体験できました。シンガポールからの友達夫婦も初めての経験に大興奮、大満足。

We have small children and wanted to introduce them to both tea time and Maiko traditions. This was perfect. They could try things, or not, participate or not. they were engaged. Everyone loved this. It was worth the splurge.

I experienced this with two foreign friends. We gathered and dispersed at a quaint, charming tea house near Gion Kaikan. The maiko was Tomiai from Gion Higashi. Upon entering the tea house, we were guided in Kyoto dialect by a trainee woman and treated to sweets. Before long, the maiko appeared and prepared tea for each of us. She also performed a dance, and we had a delightful time chatting. The maiko was polite and adorable, and both my foreign friends and I were very satisfied with the experience.

外国人の友人と三人で体験しました。祇園会館近くのこじんまりした風情あるお茶屋さんで現地集合・解散です。舞妓さんは祇園東の富多愛さん。お茶屋に入ると見習いの女性（？）に京言葉で案内され、お茶菓子をもてなされます。ほどなく舞妓さんが登場。三人それぞれにお茶をたててくださいました。踊りも一曲披露していただき、歓談タイムでも楽しくお話できました。丁寧で可愛らしい舞妓さんで、外国人の友人はもちろん私も大満足の内容でした。

I used VELTRA so that my partner and I could experience teatime with a Maiko (trainee Geiko) when we visited Gion, Kyoto. Finding Tomikiku, the actual teahouse, on the street was a little hard (a few pictures of the teahouse itself on the VELTRA site would be helpful), since all the signage is in Japanese, naturally, but once there the actual experience was incredible. The owner of the teahouse was a lovely lady who talked us through the ceremony and explained the history of the Geisha. The Maiko herself, by the name of Tomitsuyu, was elegant and refined, and, once she had come out of formal Maiko deportment, was a delight to talk with. My partner and I left the teahouse feeling we had experienced a bit of old Japan, something few others ever have.

The only thing that marred the experience was that, perhaps through no fault of her own, the owner of the teahouse had double-booked the experience through another operator. She was very sorry and asked if we would mind sharing the experience with the English family who arrived shortly after us. Since it was an experience of a lifetime we didn't feel we could turn them away, so they joined us.

My point in explaining that occurrence is that when I explained this to VELTRA they were incredibly understanding and sorry, refunding us half of the cost of the experience. I've rarely had customer service so good, anywhere, so if you are thinking of using VELTRA, perhaps for the first time, and you're not sure, don't be: this is a company that looks after its customers well. I know, having looked at their other experiences, that I will be using VELTRA again.

Great trip, very organised and informative. We had a brilliant experience, the guide was excellent, knowledgeable, told us all the local history and where best to go. Keiko was very polite, friendly and kept us very safe on the roads. We highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Kyoto. What a beautiful place to visit.

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