Interactive dinner with Maiko

19,600 JPY

Starts at 6:00 pm on every Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat.

What you can expect with us

The guests will be having a very rare opportunity whilst they are experiencing some of Kyoto’s everyday moments.

The event takes for 2 hours during the evening in the beautiful Gion district in the middle of Kyoto, and after your busy daytime, it is a chance to enjoy a show and simply relax.

You will be discovering Japanese culture, and also Kyoto’s organic traditions, such as what the difference between a Geiko and a Maiko is; what kimono is, and what tatami is? all by simply joining us.

You will also be gaining very rare experiences to chat with a Maiko who sits down just next to you and to play Ozashiki games and capture precious moments on your camera with a Maiko.

The time you will be spending at the event will be created by combining our guests, a Maiko, and our excellent staff.

How we are different from others

Basically, most tourists visit temples and shrines for sightseeing in Kyoto, which is not an interactive experience, so that is why there is not much communication between Kyoto people and tourists, as the language still makes things difficult to get to know more about Kyoto culture properly.

But here is the Enchanted time with Maiko, a totally different experience as you will have our staff, who have an excellent English skill, to hand offering wonderful hospitality for our guests.

The communication is the most important key for the guests.

It is a very local Kyoto-ish experience for you to enjoy – something very rare but also informal.

Menu

We can accept your food restrictions such as allergy, vegetarian, halal and more.

When you make a reservation, please fill out the food restriction column and then we will prepare the menu for you.

※No menu alternations, options for those with dietary requirements are available.

Program

Guest from the U.S.

Guests from Spain

Do you know how difficult meeting Maiko is?

In Kyoto, visitors, including Japanese, seek opportunities to bring their dreams to life by meeting Maiko. But there are some complicated and traditional obstacles such as Ichigensan okotowari*, the need for an invitation from another regular customer, it is very difficult to meet a Maiko in private.

Even if you do get the opportunity, it is a very formal event and can be very expensive.

There are other ways available, and that is by watching Maiko’s performances, but photo opportunities, having dinner and chatting together are simply not available, and in most cases, there is little or no English translation service available, and very few staff are able to speak English.

 Hence, at “Enchanted Time with Maiko” we have considered what is the best way for foreign tourists to experience and enjoy the company of Maiko. We have started providing such a service, taking out the obstacles, but leaving all the enjoyment and experience.

Would you like to know how?

Firstly, Maiko. You are able to have a private conversation with a real Maiko, and with a guide who can help as an interpreter. Maiko will answer generously all your questions, such as why she became Maiko; what kind of schedule she has. The opportunity to have a private conversation with Maiko is a most unique experience.

Secondly, Staff. You can chat with the staff who have many experiences abroad, not only about Kyoto, but also about Japan and the local culture, as they are proud of what they do and have extensive knowledge.

Lastly, the customers themselves. The customers come from many different countries, and all have traveled to Kyoto to spend time together, and they’ll share stories and experiences about their trip with you, what they have done so far, and about their plans from now on, so that should be very interesting! 
 

 The event also includes Japanese cuisine and drinks (all you can drink) so it is a full package, you don’t need to look for a restaurant for dinner.

There is 100% guarantee if you choose “Enchanted Time with Maiko” for a great night-time experience in Kyoto – your dream will certainly be fulfilled!

*Ichigen-san Okotowari - Kyoto tradition

The trust from an Ocha-ya to their customers is absolutely not about money. How an Ocha-ya puts trust in their customers is by observing those customers manners and their personality, and then they decide whether they are able to look after them. An Ocha-ya will take responsibility for their customers, but they can’t do that on their first time, and it is difficult for an Ocha-ya to find out how they should treat a customer who is a stranger.

Hence, an Ocha-ya will use Ichigen-san Okotowari to those who come for the first time, for this reason. There are many places in Kyoto, not only Ocha-ya, who keep to this tradition of ichigen-san Okotowai, so it could be difficult for Japanese, even Kyoto locals, to see Maiko, as they are sometimes refused entry.

There was an episode that even a Government minister was refused entry on the grounds of Ichigen-san Okotowari!

Who are Geisha and Maiko?

Contrary to a still persistent misconception in some parts of the world, geisha are not, nor were they ever, prostitutes.

They are in fact artisans – not courtesans – being highly trained practitioners of traditional Japanese arts and customs of hospitality. As accomplished performers, story-tellers, singers, dancers and musicians, their services have long been revered and coveted by the Japanese elite. Although geisha is today a generic term throughout Japan, these women are still known as geiko in Kyoto.

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Maiko, on the other hand, are apprentice geiko (who might otherwise be known as hangyoku in Tokyo). Much about the lengthy five-year training they undergo to become geiko remains a closely guarded secret.

STAFF

Our staff, who speak English, are very friendly and very definitely happy to support you at the event.

We are proud of the staff who have lots of experiences abroad and in many different countries.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, such as sightseeing spots both in Japan and Kyoto, or about your next plan on your trip to the staff. They are here to try their best to help you as they all love to communicate with our guests.

We believe that you will find our staff very good at looking after guests, and try their best to make your trip very special, and go towards making the special night that you will never forget.

We all look forward to meeting and chatting with you.

MIKA

MC/INTERPRETER

Welcome to Enchanted Time with Maiko, everyone! I’ll be your interpreter for your night with Maiko. We are here to make your night in Kyoto awesome and I will make sure my team and I do our best to have you a wonderful and valuable time with us. 
Please feel free to ask us anything, we would love to give you some travel tips as well. 
I’m looking forward to seeing you all very soon!

Location

Restaurant name:

Yasaka-Dori Enraku

594 Komatsucho Yasakadori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811, Kyoto Prefecture

Famous Landmarks nearby

Do you have questions?

-Question examples-

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• How can I check for and available reservation on a certain day?

• How much will it cost for each adult and for each child?

• Is it possible to accommodate for food allergies and food preferences such as (veg, gluten-free, and etc)?

• What are the specifications of this event?

• What is the complete list of the foods and drinks provided?

• What happens at this event?