Experience Maiko Entertainment At Yasaka-Dori Enraku In Kyoto

A Breathtakingly Elegant Dance

Next is the maiko dance, which we've been so anxiously waiting for!

The sight of her long, loosely trailing obi sash as she dances is wonderful.

We were charmed by the dance’s elegance that was so evocative of Japan, with its brilliance and its graceful, gentle feel.

The Centerpiece of the Program, Having a Chat with a Maiko

The most special part of the program is the chance to spend time chatting with your maiko directly. The maiko and her interpreter will go around the tables in order, as she is asked various questions by the guests. Here we’ll introduce a bit of our conversation.

What do you do on your days off?

Fukuno: I like pastries, so I go around and visit various bakeries.

How did you enter the world of maiko?

Fukuno: When I was eleven, I visited Kyoto, saw maiko and thought “Wow.” I really admired them.

What have you enjoyed about becoming a maiko?

Fukuno: It’s fun to be able to talk to people who do all sorts of different jobs. I’m happy to be asked to take photos together when people see me in town.

Has anything caused you problems or made you uncomfortable?

Fukuno: It’s scary to be touched and grabbed when I’m walking around outside. There are signs in Gion that say not to touch the maiko.

Fukuno was kind enough to answer our questions in detail. Her reserved, elegant Kyoto manner of speech and her voice were charming, too.

The Entertainment

After the talk session, it’s time for the entertainment, known as zashiki-asobi in Japanese. This form of recreation has long been enjoyed at restaurants and tea houses in Japan, and you can experience it here for yourself.

This is rock-paper-scissors, played on separate sides of a screen known as tora-tora.

Both men and women are welcome to join in.

This is “konpira fune fune,” a rhythm game.

Lose and you have to drink green tea or beer. At that time, the maiko will sing along with the rhythm. Finish your drink and she will praise your drinking prowess, which keeps your spirits high even if you lose.

There are even prizes if you win!

A Final Photo Opportunity With the Maiko

At the end of the program, it’s time to take photos with the maiko. Look at everyone’s smiling faces and you can tell that the program was a success.

This family came from America.

These two ladies came from New York.

Their friends will be astonished when they share their selfie pics they took with the maiko.

In Closing

After the performance, we asked the other guests for their impressions.
“I saw the maiko dance from up close, and I talked with her. It was so different from TV, and really amazing! She’s so beautiful and elegant. Her performance was lovely, too.”
“She was really personable when talking up close, it was great. I thought she would be like someone from a different world, but she’s a regular girl. I realized that this was part of the culture.”
“It’s important to experience things. I was moved by the Japanese culture here.”

Everyone enjoyed the program, and made new discoveries about Japan. If you’re going to do something in Kyoto, we highly recommend it! You must make a reservation to join, which you can do here, so by all means, check it out if you’re interested.