Explore Gion and discover the arts of geisha USD 123.39. Take a tour of Kyoto’s famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Your local guide will tell you about the traditions from an insider perspective, as it can be difficult for outsiders to access geisha culture otherwise. At the same time you’ll explore Gion’s beautiful streets, temples, shrines, and shops, for a comprehensive overview of historic Kyoto..
Review the Explore Gion and discover the arts of geisha direct from Ken’s Tours Kyoto.
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20 reviews for Explore Gion and discover the arts of geisha Ken’s Tours Kyoto
Rated 5 out of 5
Monica_O –
Ken’s tour is a must-do if you want to explore the Geisha district of Kyoto in a way that is both enlightening and enjoyable. His knowledge, humor, and passion make him a remarkable guide, and I am grateful for the enriching experience he provided.
Rated 5 out of 5
Cindy_A –
Ken was a terrific tour guide and host for our dinner!! He clearly knows a ton about geisha culture and he is full of energy and information. We loved the whole experience, from the walking tour of the Gion area and our dinner with a Maiko! Lots of great memories from that evening…a special night, indeed.
Rated 5 out of 5
Bruce_H –
We were on the afternoon version of this tour. Ken is an excellent, entertaining and informative guide and encourages questions as he took us round the lovely back streets of Gion. But the highlight of the tour is meeting with a Maiko at the end, which in our case was in an evocative little tea house. Unforgivably I cannot transcribe the name of the Maiko we met but she was lovely, friendly, chatty (via Ken) and danced so gracefully. In our opinion this is an absolutely first class experience and a wonderful way to get an insight into life in the Gion entertainment district and what it’s really like to work there. Thank you Ken’s Tours.
Rated 5 out of 5
Catherine_S –
Ken was an amazing tour guide! I had such a great time learning the history about Geisha culture. The dinner we had was so much fun, the food was delicious and he didn’t mind me picking his brain with tbe many questions I had. I definitely recommend this experience!
Rated 5 out of 5
Veronica_B –
We had a fantastic tour with Ken, our guide. Ken was extremely knowledgeable and had created a wonderful tour around Gion before we met the lovely Su san, the Maiko who came to speak to us and dance. The food was fantastic and we tried drinking games though of course Su san won every time. 🙂
We would highly recommend this tour.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ye_L –
Guide Ken designed this specific tour to observe Geisha’s life from a neighbor’s perspective as he is living in the area. He showed us the a lot of aspects of Gion area only a local can see. We had a wonderful lunch with a lovably Mico who answered many questions about their mysterious way of living. It’s a pity that we had to leave early as we had to catch a train.
We would definitely do it again next time when we are back to Kyoto.
Rated 5 out of 5
Daphne_A –
Ken , our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and cultural aspects of all things Geisha ( or Geiko as they are called in Kyoto ).
Loved the performance and the drinking games we played with our graceful Maiko .
Great tour, had a wonderful time in Gion!
Rated 5 out of 5
Natalia_S –
This tour was one of our highlights on our 3-week honeymoon to Japan. Ken is an incredible story-teller and the things he told us were so interesting! He walked us in and around Gion, showing us small corners and big temples, making us understand the city and the culture and history of Geikos much better.
And then for the dinner, when the Maiko arrived, we were amazed yet again. Amazing food, great little restaurant where we had the top floor just to our selves and the Maiko was so fantastic, answering our questions and playing games with us after giving two beautiful performances. What an honor! I wouldn’t hesitate to book this tour!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Ashley_H –
Ken was a great tour guide! He taught us a lot about Kyoto and kept everything lighthearted and fun. This tour answered so many questions about the life of a Geisha and we had the opportunity to ask our own questions. The food we had for lunch was delicious and the Maiko’s performance was amazing! Would highly recommend!
Rated 5 out of 5
Aniela_M –
While many historic sites have been burned and rebuilt over the centuries, theses ladies carry Japan’s unaltered history.
Our local guide, Ken, took great care walking us through the Gion district while bringing to life the history and traditions of Geishas with his enthusiastic explanation, while also covering history of the sites we were passing.
The evening ended as Ken’s guests for a traditional Japanese meal while seated on tatami mats and a magical private show with an apprentice.
With such an exclusive and mysterious art form, this tour (and Ken) pulled back the veil and gave us an experience of a lifetime.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lawrence_V –
Wow, that was fantastic. Honestly I was worried we hadn’t paid enough to get all that was promised. But Ken delivered even more. We had a walking tour and a lunch with a Geisha. I went in thinking the only part I cared about was meeting the Geisha, as I’m not a tour kind of person. Yet without the great tour, the lunch with the Geisha wouldn’t have been as good. Don’t pass this one up. On a side note, the actual food at lunch was also great. Thanks Ken, we’ll never forget it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Yukiko_M –
Our tour guide Ken was super! We truly appreciated his knowledge on Maiko and Geiko on their life styles in Gion district. Suppose his passion & personality have made him to be such a fantastic guide!! Thanks Ken for the wonderful time 🙏
Rated 5 out of 5
Christopher_M –
Ken was extremely knowledgable about the history of Geiko and Maiko, and made every second of the tour around Gion and Miyagawacho interesting and fun.
The Maiko who came to meet us at lunch, Miyo, was very friendly and happy to answer all the questions that we had for her. At the end of the meal, she performed some dances for us that were fascinating to watch.
If you are coming to Kyoto, this tour if definitely worth your time!
Rated 5 out of 5
Alison_M –
10/10 experience! Ken was fantastic. He has an incredible passion for educating others about the history of geisha, and he was a wealth of knowledge. The amount of walking was perfect (just be sure to wear comfortable shoes), and the meal with the geisha was filling and delicious. Would definitely do this tour again!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jenny_C –
We really enjoyed our experience with the Geiko. Our guide Ken was exceptionally knowledgeable, and passionate.
Rated 5 out of 5
Natalie_H –
Very special experience. Our guide Ken was excellent and very knowledgeable. Best tour I have been on.
Rated 5 out of 5
Leanne_O –
An incredible eye-opening experience to the world of Geisha, firstly with a tour of the Gion district and then lunch with Kimi Sora, a young Maiko (Geisha in training). Ken, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgable and did a great job explaining a Geisha’s daily life before then helping us ask Kimi Sora questions personal to her experience. She was very friendly and happy to tell us all about her story and then performed two traditional dances whilst we ate our lunch. We were fascinated and would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area!
Rated 5 out of 5
Tina_S –
I loved the tour of the Gion with Kevin. He was very knowledgeable. We had tea with an apprentice Geisha, which was intimate and lovely. Highly recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
George_M –
After 40 years of travel, “This”was the most memorable and most exciting tour ever. My wife and I knew of Geisha but we had no idea of the depth and historical significance of Geisha.
Ken, our wonderful tour guide was AMAZING! He brought the World of Geisha “to life” for everyone in our group. We can’t wait to return to Japan and take this incredible tour again.
Thank you Viator and special thanks to Ken!
Rated 5 out of 5
Joanne_S –
Our tour guides were excellent. They gave us a lot of information about how the Geiko and Maiko cultures developed. They also wanted to dispel misconceptions of what these geikos do. They get extensive training daily. They also explained the whole community process of this type of entertainment as we walked through Gion. The lunch was delicious and the maiko gave us a nice performance.
Monica_O –
Ken’s tour is a must-do if you want to explore the Geisha district of Kyoto in a way that is both enlightening and enjoyable. His knowledge, humor, and passion make him a remarkable guide, and I am grateful for the enriching experience he provided.
Cindy_A –
Ken was a terrific tour guide and host for our dinner!! He clearly knows a ton about geisha culture and he is full of energy and information. We loved the whole experience, from the walking tour of the Gion area and our dinner with a Maiko! Lots of great memories from that evening…a special night, indeed.
Bruce_H –
We were on the afternoon version of this tour. Ken is an excellent, entertaining and informative guide and encourages questions as he took us round the lovely back streets of Gion. But the highlight of the tour is meeting with a Maiko at the end, which in our case was in an evocative little tea house. Unforgivably I cannot transcribe the name of the Maiko we met but she was lovely, friendly, chatty (via Ken) and danced so gracefully. In our opinion this is an absolutely first class experience and a wonderful way to get an insight into life in the Gion entertainment district and what it’s really like to work there. Thank you Ken’s Tours.
Catherine_S –
Ken was an amazing tour guide! I had such a great time learning the history about Geisha culture. The dinner we had was so much fun, the food was delicious and he didn’t mind me picking his brain with tbe many questions I had. I definitely recommend this experience!
Veronica_B –
We had a fantastic tour with Ken, our guide. Ken was extremely knowledgeable and had created a wonderful tour around Gion before we met the lovely Su san, the Maiko who came to speak to us and dance. The food was fantastic and we tried drinking games though of course Su san won every time. 🙂
We would highly recommend this tour.
Ye_L –
Guide Ken designed this specific tour to observe Geisha’s life from a neighbor’s perspective as he is living in the area. He showed us the a lot of aspects of Gion area only a local can see. We had a wonderful lunch with a lovably Mico who answered many questions about their mysterious way of living. It’s a pity that we had to leave early as we had to catch a train.
We would definitely do it again next time when we are back to Kyoto.
Daphne_A –
Ken , our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and cultural aspects of all things Geisha ( or Geiko as they are called in Kyoto ).
Loved the performance and the drinking games we played with our graceful Maiko .
Great tour, had a wonderful time in Gion!
Natalia_S –
This tour was one of our highlights on our 3-week honeymoon to Japan. Ken is an incredible story-teller and the things he told us were so interesting! He walked us in and around Gion, showing us small corners and big temples, making us understand the city and the culture and history of Geikos much better.
And then for the dinner, when the Maiko arrived, we were amazed yet again. Amazing food, great little restaurant where we had the top floor just to our selves and the Maiko was so fantastic, answering our questions and playing games with us after giving two beautiful performances. What an honor! I wouldn’t hesitate to book this tour!!
Ashley_H –
Ken was a great tour guide! He taught us a lot about Kyoto and kept everything lighthearted and fun. This tour answered so many questions about the life of a Geisha and we had the opportunity to ask our own questions. The food we had for lunch was delicious and the Maiko’s performance was amazing! Would highly recommend!
Aniela_M –
While many historic sites have been burned and rebuilt over the centuries, theses ladies carry Japan’s unaltered history.
Our local guide, Ken, took great care walking us through the Gion district while bringing to life the history and traditions of Geishas with his enthusiastic explanation, while also covering history of the sites we were passing.
The evening ended as Ken’s guests for a traditional Japanese meal while seated on tatami mats and a magical private show with an apprentice.
With such an exclusive and mysterious art form, this tour (and Ken) pulled back the veil and gave us an experience of a lifetime.
Lawrence_V –
Wow, that was fantastic. Honestly I was worried we hadn’t paid enough to get all that was promised. But Ken delivered even more. We had a walking tour and a lunch with a Geisha. I went in thinking the only part I cared about was meeting the Geisha, as I’m not a tour kind of person. Yet without the great tour, the lunch with the Geisha wouldn’t have been as good. Don’t pass this one up. On a side note, the actual food at lunch was also great. Thanks Ken, we’ll never forget it.
Yukiko_M –
Our tour guide Ken was super! We truly appreciated his knowledge on Maiko and Geiko on their life styles in Gion district. Suppose his passion & personality have made him to be such a fantastic guide!! Thanks Ken for the wonderful time 🙏
Christopher_M –
Ken was extremely knowledgable about the history of Geiko and Maiko, and made every second of the tour around Gion and Miyagawacho interesting and fun.
The Maiko who came to meet us at lunch, Miyo, was very friendly and happy to answer all the questions that we had for her. At the end of the meal, she performed some dances for us that were fascinating to watch.
If you are coming to Kyoto, this tour if definitely worth your time!
Alison_M –
10/10 experience! Ken was fantastic. He has an incredible passion for educating others about the history of geisha, and he was a wealth of knowledge. The amount of walking was perfect (just be sure to wear comfortable shoes), and the meal with the geisha was filling and delicious. Would definitely do this tour again!
Jenny_C –
We really enjoyed our experience with the Geiko. Our guide Ken was exceptionally knowledgeable, and passionate.
Natalie_H –
Very special experience. Our guide Ken was excellent and very knowledgeable. Best tour I have been on.
Leanne_O –
An incredible eye-opening experience to the world of Geisha, firstly with a tour of the Gion district and then lunch with Kimi Sora, a young Maiko (Geisha in training). Ken, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgable and did a great job explaining a Geisha’s daily life before then helping us ask Kimi Sora questions personal to her experience. She was very friendly and happy to tell us all about her story and then performed two traditional dances whilst we ate our lunch. We were fascinated and would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area!
Tina_S –
I loved the tour of the Gion with Kevin. He was very knowledgeable. We had tea with an apprentice Geisha, which was intimate and lovely. Highly recommend.
George_M –
After 40 years of travel, “This”was the most memorable and most exciting tour ever. My wife and I knew of Geisha but we had no idea of the depth and historical significance of Geisha.
Ken, our wonderful tour guide was AMAZING! He brought the World of Geisha “to life” for everyone in our group. We can’t wait to return to Japan and take this incredible tour again.
Thank you Viator and special thanks to Ken!
Joanne_S –
Our tour guides were excellent. They gave us a lot of information about how the Geiko and Maiko cultures developed. They also wanted to dispel misconceptions of what these geikos do. They get extensive training daily. They also explained the whole community process of this type of entertainment as we walked through Gion. The lunch was delicious and the maiko gave us a nice performance.