Have you ever fantasised about becoming one of the exotic geisha or maiko girls of Japan? You can actually do that in Kyoto without giving up your real life. Just step into your imagination and become one of the renowned and revered geisha ladies for a day.
Several stores and studios in Kyoto facilitate your transformation, complete with traditional kimonos, makeup, obis sashes, wigs and adornments. Most offer to preserve the memory with photographs, and allow you to strut your stuff through the neighborhood before turning back into an ordinary pumpkin again.
Geisha and Maiko, a Brief History
So what exactly is a geisha? We all know that these fascinating females are exotic, seductive and highly revered in Kyoto society. But it’s not just because of their beauty; the geisha girls are extraordinarily skilled and trained in the ancient Japanese art of entertainment. From traditional dance to singing, acting, games and playing musical instruments, they are the ultimate hostesses and purveyors of cultural arts. They even cultivate and perfect the art of conversation.
Geisha’s-in-training are known as maikos and typically live in a okiva boarding house for up to six years, studying under a fully titled geisha, referred to as Okansan. To add another layer of distinction, geishas are known as geikos in the Kyoto dialect.
Geisha Makeover and Henshin Studios
Though the word henshin crops up in modern society when referring to superheroes, it actually just means “transform” in the Japanese language. That’s why you’ll hear some of the geisha makeover shops called henshin studios.
The maiko makeover is more youthful, with decorative hair ornaments, silk flowers, sparkling pins and jewels, as well as the signature platform wooden wedge shoes called okobo. If you prefer to be a geisha, the look is more mature, with a wig and full painted lips.
Kyoto has some of the best geisha makeovers in the country, with packages ranging in price from about 12,000 yen to as much as 32,000 yen. Here’s a look at the stand-out studios and what happens when you sign up for the day.
Maiko make over experience in Kyoto AYA
Once an authentic teahouse and maiko performance studio during the Taisho Period, Ayo Maiko Makeover Studio in the historic Gion Quarter lets you become either a maiko or a geisha for the day. Individuals can choose between five different courses, which all include makeup, kimonos and photos, and most allow walks in the Gion Quarter while dressed in full garb. They also offer couples and family courses, and a male samurai course with a kimono and katana sword.
Website: http://kyoto-maiko.com/english
Address: 499-8,Shimogawara,Higashiyama,Kyoto,Japan
Kyoto Arashiyama Hime
In the Arashiyama area, Kyoto Arashiyama Hime offers the traditional makeovers and photo sessions, but stands out for its Oshima Tsumugi textile kimonos. This is an elegant, distinguished style for the more sophisticated geisha-wannabes. They also have a lovely collection of summer kimonos known as yukatas. Drop-ins are welcome here, so you can become a geisha on a whim, without an appointment. The dress-up plans here are available for both adults and children, and you don’t need to make prior reservations.
Website: http://akahime.com/eng/
Address: 3-56 Babacho Susukino Tenryuji Saga, Ukyo Ward, 616-8385
Walin
The Walin shop, located inside the Mizuho Building in the heart of Kyoto, is where to go for a chic, contemporary geisha look. The kimonos have modern designs and fabrics, but you can also ask for more traditional textiles such as Komon and Tsumugi cloths. Walin is primarily a rental service for those who want to wear their kimonos all day or for several days, but they do have a professional hair stylist, makeup artist and consultant. Men are welcome, too, so make it a date night adventure.
Website: http://walin.jp/en/
Address: 3rd Floor Mizuho Building, 444 Matsubaradori Karasuma Higashi Iru Jyunzeicho, Sagyo Ward, 600-8417 Kyoto
Kyo Gokoro
Kyo Gokoro sits in the Nakagyo Ward and is a favorite for locals, due to its non-profit status and community involvement. It’s also one of the only geisha dress-up stores that offer a dining plan. After getting decked up in your new identity, they send you off for fine dining in an upscale Japanese restaurant. They have more than 100 kimonos from which to choose, and you can even rent them for the duration of your stay in Kyoto. A concierge service picks them up from your hotel when you are done with your cultural adventure in the city.
Website: http://www.kyo-gokoro.com/pdf/e.pdf
Address: 457-2 Tsuboya-cho Oike-kudaru Ogawa-dori Nakagyo-ku Kyoto 604-8276 Japan
