Kyoto's Gion District
Geisha have always been an intricate part of Japanese history and culture, they are highly skilled entertainers who are well trained in traditional Japanese instruments, parlor games, and dance. They are characterized by their Snow white make-up faces, vibrant colored kimono, with crimson lips, jet black hair tied at the nape, and soft laughter hidden behind a graceful hand. Kyoto is home to the geisha culture with beautiful teahouses and entire districts dedicated to the art. Here they are called ‘’geiko’’ and are highly respected. Other parts of Japan have adopted the geisha culture for instance you can find geisha enclaves in Tokyo and Yokohama.
An evening in one of these places does not come cheap, Geiko spent at least five years in training, learning how to master the art of entertainment. Their skills range from traditional dance to making flower arrangements, with parlor games and the art of conversation in between. Kyoto is said to have at least 100 professional geiko and about the same number of maiko (geiko in training).
Japan’s geisha are famous worldwide for their skill at mesmerizing guests at social events, they seem to come from a bygone era with mysterious and intriguing skills that have been passed down for centuries to a select few. Visit the Shirakawa or Gion district in Kyoto for the ultimate geiko experience.
