Miyako Odori is the famous seasonal feature, telling us the spring has come in such gorgeous way! The geisha and maiko (apprentices) of the Gion Kobu district perform traditional spring dances with live musical accompaniment.
Date From : 01 To 30 April 2012
Cost:
¥4,500 (Special Class Ticket including tea service and complimentary gift)
¥4,000 (First Class Ticket)
¥2,000 (Second Class Ticket)
Place:
Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre (Next to Gion Corner at Hanami Koji street)
Performance:
Four performances of one hour each daily
at 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 and 16:50.
2nd of Febrary is one of the important seasonal turning point in Japan. It's called "Setsubun", literally means "division of seasons". In this day we pray for the peace and perfect health throughout the year.
How to celebrate the year is a bit unique... we throw roasted soybeans inside and outside our houses while crying "Oniwa-soto, Fukuwa-uchi!", or "Devils out! Good luck in!".
At Yasaka shrine in Gion, you can enjoy beautiful Maiko's rare traditional dancinzg and also throwing packets of roasted soya beans out into the crowd.
Depending on the date and time, the Maiko/Geiko from different Kagai (Floral City of district) are coming. Don't miss such gorgeous prare from Maiko and Geiko!
Place: Yasaka Shrine.(Access : City Bus No.206 "Gion")
Feb.2
at 1:00PM --- from Ponto-cho district school.
at 3:00PM --- from Miyagawa-cho district school.
Feb.3
at 1:00PM --- from Gion Kobu district school.
at 3:00PM --- from Gion Higashi district school.
In Setsubun, children throw roasted beans in the house to ward off evil spirits and other misfortune. In most of the families, an adult (usually Father) will put on a devil's mask and running through the house while being chased by children! One of the nice chances to enjoy such festive mood in the family. :)
If you have enough time on weekend in your Kyoto travelling, I recommend you to include this Maiko Dancing in your Kyoto itinerary.
The other day, I've guided the tourists from America in Gion and by their request to see Maiko, we've enjoyed 'Meeting with Maiko' tour. She has performed for us the most popular dance at this Gion Kobu school, telling you how Kyoto is beautiful in each season in different way...
She has been just three months since her debut as Maiko, very fresh, but her performance was wonderful. Because she's already trainned for one year before debut.
I was so attracted by her each soft movement of hands and face... Actually this dance includes a small love story, too, so her facial expression includes a little shy sometimes... so cute.
For enjoying dinner with Maiko/Geiko in an authentic way, it's quite expensive like more than 600$ including the dinner, Kyoto Kaiseki. But in this 'Meeting with Maiko' tour is just 4800yen for abt one hour tour in Gion.
You can't have dinner, but enjoy nice green tea (Matcha) and then, authentic beautiful Maiko dancing like in the video up close. and enjoy taking picture with her at the end.
If you have enough itinerary and really interested to see Maiko so close in a relaxed way, not like a paparazzi chasing on the street, I recommend you to enjoy this tour. Maiko doesn't speak English, so you need an interpreter for this tour.
Would you like to know one of the secret places in Kyoto?
Takao is located in the north of Kyoto, a bit remoted area, but very famous for its breathtakingly beauty with full of true nature. Surrounded by great natural beauty and the Kitayama cedars.
Just one hour of journey by train from the central Kyoto, you will be welcomed by these heavenly peaceful nature of beauty.
During the summer months, Takao becomes popular for people to escape from the heat.
The Momijiya, founded in Takao in 1907, is very traditional ryokan with Japanese style rooms.
What is the special feature of Momijiya is their summer dinner plan that includes dance entertainment by maiko.
Spread out through three floors for Kawadoko-style Kyoto special cuisine. You can taste the best of the local cuisine including one of their specialties, "river fish", such as the ayu (sometimes known in English as the sweetfish for the flavor of its flesh).
Enjoy dining on a "kawadoko" platform built out over a scenic river, listen to the sound of the stream and cool off from the summer heat.
Maiko and Kawadoko are almost symbols of Kyoto!
MUST EXPERIENCE that you can't be missed.
Even if you were walking throughout Gion-area for so long, you may need a super luck to come across a real maiko.
But here in Takao, you don't have to feel exhausted from chasing, nor frustrated to take a better view of photo of maiko-san.
After you enjoy a lovely dancing performance of Maiko along with the Japanese traditional Kaiseki cuisine. Maiko will come to your table one by one for pictures with you! Don't forget to carry your camera!! :)
Reservation Needed:
Momijiya Inn - Tel: 075-871-1005
"Dinner Meal with a Maiko"
Price: 12000yen per person.
Only Limited Season: from early June to middle of Sep.
Access
at: 17:25 - Momijiya's bus will pick up you at the bus stop in front of New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.
at around: 18:20 - Dinner starts, enjoy viewing maiko-san's lovely dancing performance along with taking pictures service at riverside pavilion (120min)
at: around 21:00 - Momijiya's Bus drop you off at New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.
As Autumn version; This Maiko event will start again from November!
Takao area is very famous for its fire-like red-color maple scenery in Fall.
Dinner is served Not Kawadoko style (outside is too cold), but inside of the room, at their gorgeous banquet tatami room. Of course Maiko-san will give you a nice dancing performance along with a picture time as always :)
Staying at Momijiya-inn would also give you a special experience. Enjoy their special beauty in each season!
The Gion Corner is now offering a nice warm opportunity for Kyoto visiters to enjoy Matcha green tea and take pictures with Maiko only by One coin (500yen) ! :) Why don't you feel so excited even in this chilly winter season?
Three times a day: 14:00/15:00/16:00
Duration is 30mins.
You will be served Matcha green tea at first directly by Maiko-san each by each! The party will be held in English, too. At the end, you can have a chance to take a picture with Maiko-san.
But noted: only the first come 20 visiters for each party (only 60 per day), no reservation system.
So I just recommend to visit Gion Corner at 13:30 to get in the line to buy the tickets. You can buy any time table of ticket, 14pm, 15pm or 16pm (only on that date, though).
So as one of the choices is that you reserve the 16pm ticket in advance, and enjoy the sightseeing nearby Gion area for a while until 16pm. Such as Yasaka shrine, Chionin temple, Shorenin temple sightseeing or Shijo-Kawaramachi shopping would be nice to spend for a few hours and get back in time! :)
If you visit Kyoto in time of these special dates, why don't you try this wonderful chance!
If you're planning to visit Heian Jingu shrine on Sundays, and have enough time, Why don't you drop in "Freaikan" after lunch time!
The newly built facility, "Museum of Traditional Crafts",
This is the attraction museum, introducing Kyoto's traditional crafts and cultures.
Now they are welcoming the visiters with a special event.
Maiko-san are coming on Sundays to the "Freaikan"!
This event lasts until next year of March, 2010! Please do not miss!
MAI, "Maiko, Kyoto Traditional Dance"
and explanation of Maiko dress, tradition, etc. (sorry, in Japanese only)
Here is sample of explanation;
Ornamental floral hairpins, Nishijin textiles, Kyo Yuzen dyed fabrics, Kyo fans etc... the adornments worn by the elegant Maiko are the result of the long cultivation of traditional craftsmen and each item is a shining example of the artisan's craft.
Come and see the world of the Maiko, the people that wear the beauty of Japan! :)
There are three sessions, each session is around 30minutes.
For each session you have to get in the line to come closer to the stage in the room, and after the show you have to move out.
* I hope you would not be trapped in the large group of powerful asian tourists...
No Admission Charge
Start: Every Sundays Three sessions during 2:00PM - 3:30PM
Traditional Craft Artisans Demonstration is also held.
Times: Every Saturdays and National Holidays 10:00AM - 3:30PM
Fureaikan is located in Miyako Messe, near from Heian Shrine.
After enjoying the Maiko show, you can enjoy those traditional things display such as handicrafts made of silk, bamboo, lacquer ware, paper and ceramic.
You can find some nice souvenir, too.
Please click to enlarge the picture.
Just a nice experience if you have time! Good Luck to take a nice pictures of Maiko-san! If you missed, you can try at night again, but in Gion ! to meet those real Maiko-san. :)
1600yen at Minamiza (Kabuki Theater in Gion) This is Minamiza Orivinal Design! What a Perfect Souvenir Idea!! Or Nice Wall Decoration in your Room! Limited Stock, Hurry to get soon! :)
