- Duration2.5 hours
- Group sizeMax 12 · from 2
- Guided inEnglish, Japanese
- Physical levelEasy
Destination photography via Wikimedia Commons. Operator photography for this product is held in the supplier record and released to contracted partners.
Cultural Experiences
Maiko Dinner and Ozashiki Games in Gion
Overview
A kaiseki dinner in a Gion teahouse with a maiko in attendance — dance, conversation through an interpreter, and the drinking games of the ozashiki.
An ozashiki is normally unavailable to visitors: teahouses accept introductions, not bookings. This supplier holds an arrangement with a Gion okiya that allows a table of up to twelve, and it is the closest a traveller gets to the real thing.
Dinner is a seven-course kaiseki by a Kyoto chef. A maiko arrives partway through, performs two dances, then sits with the table — an interpreter makes the conversation work, and the questions guests actually want to ask (how long is the apprenticeship, what is in the hair, how heavy is the kimono) all get answered.
Confirmation takes up to 48 hours because maiko schedules are set by the okiya, not the restaurant. Worth flagging to clients as the single most requested Kyoto evening.
Highlights
- A genuine ozashiki in a Gion teahouse
- Seven-course kaiseki dinner
- Two dances performed at your table
- Interpreter for the full conversation
- Ozashiki drinking games with the maiko
- Photographs with the maiko included
What happens, step by step
-
18:00
Arrival at the teahouse
Shoes off, private tatami room, opening course served.
-
18:45
The maiko arrives
Introductions and two dances accompanied by shamisen.
-
19:30
Conversation and games
Konpira fune fune and tora-tora, played with the table through the interpreter.
-
20:15
Dessert and photographs
The final courses and photographs before the maiko leaves for her next engagement.
What is and is not included
Included
- Seven-course kaiseki dinner
- Maiko attendance, dances and games
- English interpreter throughout
- Sake, beer and soft drinks
Not included
- Transport to Gion
- Gratuities (not customary and not expected)
Where it starts
Meeting point
The teahouse on Hanamikoji-dori, Gion. The exact address is issued with the confirmation.
Exact coordinates, the supplier’s on-the-day phone number and the driver or guide allocation are released with the booking voucher in the agent workspace.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start time. Between 72 and 24 hours, 50% is refunded. Inside 24 hours the booking is non-refundable, and a no-show is charged in full.
Traveller reviews
Who operates this
Kyoto Cultural Tours
Kyoto Cultural Tours Gōdō Kaisha · Kyoto, Japan
- Supplier rating
- 4.8 from 706 reviews
- Products in the catalogue
- 8
- Operating languages
- English, Japanese, French
- Typical response
- Within 24 hours
- Contracted since
- June 2025
- Confirmation
- On request, within 24 hours
Supplier disclosure policy: the trading entity, its location, its verification status and its service record are published. Direct supplier contact details are released to contracted agency partners only — every booking, amendment and payment runs through NNomadic so that one party carries the operational liability.
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