I wish to see a maiko

There is very little opportunity to encounter a maiko even
in the Gion area.
However, the chance would be higher if you are around Ichiriki
Teahouse on Hanami-koji street, or the Gion-shinbashi area.
You may sometimes see a maiko going to work in the evening. But it normally
happens in a moment. You may want to let her go instead of asking her to stop
for a photograph, because it is the time for her to go to work at a Japanese
restaurant or teahouse. It may be possible for you to take her photograph from a
distance without being noticed.

I wish to see a maiko 2

When walking around the Shijo-kawaramachi area,
we occasionally happen to encounter geiko and maiko in everyday
dress. Sometimes, they are very cool-looking in summer wearing a
yukata; at other times, they are dressed in an ordinary kimono.
Needless to say, geiko and maiko look gorgeous when dressed up
in formal kimono. However, they also look lovely in another sense
when they wear everyday clothes. We feel a special atmosphere when
they walk down the street in a gorgeous manner, wearing light-make
up and traditional Japanese hair style. Undoubtedly, they naturally
can produce Japanese style (wa) atmosphere because they are dressed
properly in a komono and behave gracefully. Geiko and maiko are
beautiful whenever and wherever they are.

Attention

It is often heard that people tend to mistake a tourist using maiko
style rental service for a real maiko. If you are a local person or someone who
engages in the kimono industry or other industries related to the Gion district,
you will tell the difference in an instant. But if you are from outside of Japan,
it won’t be easy.Below, I will share with you some key features that distinguish a
real maiko from a tourist.

• Wig: A real maiko always does up her own hair in Japanese style.
• Kimono: A tourist wears kimono which looks cheaper or on which you will
  find wrinkles.
• Hairpin: A tourist wears hairpins in a way that lack a sense of the season.
  For example, they wear a hairpin with cherry trees designed on it in autumn.
• Ride in a rickshaw: Normally, a real maiko doesn’t ride in a rickshaw.
• Eat food: A maiko never eats while walking when dressed in the maiko costume.

Tourism and maiko

You might think that it is an impossible dream to play with maiko
at the teahouse, because that seems only for those who are rich and
have a broad range of personal connections. Yes, that’sright.
Then, how can an ordinary person like us get a chance to see maiko?

1.Go to public events

The presence of maiko is essential at some large festivals in Kyoto.
As we discuss in the “Annual Schedule of Maiko” section,
we recommend you participate in festivals and other public
events where maiko are present. It may be hard to take a
front row seat with a nice view of maiko. But if you are
determined and make an effort, it won’t be impossible..

2.Go to dance (odori) events

This option will cost you some amount of money, but you
certainly can watch maiko dancing. Like the event that
has continued for a long time, these dance events have a
unique atmosphere that you will never forget.

3.Take an optional tour

It is surprising that only few people know about optional tours
offered by local travel agencies. These tours give you the
opportunity to watch maiko in the Gion district at affordable
rates. It is worth to try!!