Kyoto Geisha Show Calendar
To see Geisha show in Kyoto, the daily shows in Gion Corner, reserved private dinner performances in teahouses, and the irregular or monthly shows by theaters are all accessible. The easiest way is going to Gion Corner. Compared with the first 2 choices, the regular Geisha show held in 5 theatres outstand by its large scale. In some months like February and June, the best Geisha artists from major Hanamachi would perform on the same stage.Daily Popular Geisha Show in Gion Corner
The easiest way to watch geisha show in Kyoto is going to Gion Corner Theater. You can watch 7 performances at once performed by Geisha and other artists, including: Tea Ceremony, koto music, flower arrangement performance, bugaku dance, comedy, Kyomai dance, and puppet play. In addition, the last performance would also be changed in different seasons to bring you a new experience.
Gion Corner Theater
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Duration: about 1 hour
Performance time: 18:00 – 19:00 every day except from 29th December to 3rd January
Prices:
| Adult |
5,500 yen |
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Aging 16 – 22 |
3,850 yen |
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Aging 7 – 15 |
3,300 yen |
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Aging below 6 without a seat |
Free |
Irregular or Monthly Geisha Show Calendar
February
1. Theater Geisha Show
A Dream in Early Spring – Different Shows by 5 HanamachisA Dream in Early Spring is an annual Geisha show performed by the best Geishas chosen from the 5 Hanamachis.
Location: Minamiza Theater
Date: later than mid-FebruaryTicket Price: 3,000/7,000/8,000 yen (with prices in 2024 for reference) based on different seating areas
Duration: 1.5 hours
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Minamiza Theater
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2. Free Geisha Show in Festival Celebration
Setsubun Festival: Setsubun Festival is to celebrate the coming of spring and the end of coldness. During the festival, Geisha would be invited by some shrines to perform dancing. During the show, these girls throw beans to visitors, wishing them the best.Date: early February (2nd or 3rd in the past few years)
Location: Yasaka Shrine and Heian Jingu Shrine
Plum Festival: Similarly, when plum blossoms in spring in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Geishas would also be invited to dance, enriching the festival atmosphere.
Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Date: 25th February
March – April: Theater Regular Geisha Performances
1. Miyako Odori
Miyako Odori is performed by Geishas in Gion Kobu. It consists of 8 scenes, symbolizing the change of 4 seasons and depicting the natural beauty of Kyoto. With the soft music of Taiko Drum and Shamisen (a Japanese stringed instrument) & and dance movements of Geishas, you will see many characters in Japanese legends.
Date: 1st – 30th in 2025 except 15th
Duration: 50 minutesLocation: The Gion Kobu Kaburenjo
Ticket: 4,000/6,000/7,000 yen (based on seat class)
2. Kyo Odori
Kyo Odori has been very popular since 1950. It is featured by 2 different themes. In the first half of the show, the dancing concerns the classic literal works and Kyoto’s traditions; while, in the second half, it deals with flowers, birds, wind, moon, and folk songs.
Date: 2 weeks in April (6th – 21st in 2024)
Location: Kyoto Art Theater ShunjuzaImportant Note: The construction of the new theater has not yet been completed, so the Kyo Odori in 2025 will be postponed to 2026.
Ticket: 7,000 yen including a Tea Ceremony
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3. Kitano Odori
Kitano Odori has 3 events in each performances: a multiple-scene story play, themed dances, and the Kamishichiken Serenade music. Each year, the first 2 events would change except the last one.
Date: twice at 14:00 and 16:30 from mid-March to Early April
Location: Kamishichiken KabukaiTicket: 6,000 yen/7,000 yen including a Tea Ceremony
May - Theater Geisha Show: Pontocho Kamogawa Odori
In Pontocho Kamogawa Odori, you can see parts: dance drama and pure dance. After appreciating the Geisha performance, it is also a pleasing thing to take a leisure walk along the beautiful Kamo River or stroll in the ancient alley of Pontocho.
Date: 1st May – 24th May in 2025
Location: Kyoto Ponticho KaburenjoPrices: 4,000/6,000/7,000 yen with a Tea Ceremony
June – Another Grand Theater Geisha Show by 5 Hanamachis
“The Bustle of Capital” was performed to celebrate the long history of Kyoto. About 70 Geishas or Maikos (the junior Geisha) from different Hanamachis would come here. The highlight is that each hanamachi would bring 3 – 5 events. You can enjoy about 20 events in the whole performance.
Date: late June (with 2024’s on 29th and 30th for reference)
Ticket Prices: 6,500/13,000/14,000 yenLocation: Minamiza Theater
July – Geisha Show in Gion Matsuri Celebration
Gion Matsuri is one of the 3 major festivals in Japan and usually lasts for the entire July. The celebration activities are held on 2nd, 10th, 14th – 16th, 17th, 21st - 23rd, 24th, 28th and 31st. Among them, you can watch Geisha’s Parade on the 24th. At that time, Geishas in different Hanamachis will take turns performing on the stage.
Date: 24th
Location: Kawaramachi, Shijo, and Oike streets.Ticket: Free
October
Theater Show
Onshukai: Onshukai dedicates to display the achievements of Geisha’s daily practice. The best thing is that the 6 day’s performances are all different, so you can choose your favorite performer to watch her show.
Date: for 6 days in early October (2nd – 7th in 2024)
Location: Gion Kobu KaburenjoTicket: 6,000/8,000/10,000 yen
Suimeikai: Suimeikai Show consists of 4 events performed by 38 Geishas and each event would include the classic music.
Date: for 4 days in late October (24th – 27th in 2024)
Location: Pontocho Kaburenjo TheaterTicket: 5,000/8,000/10,000 yen
November – Theater Show: Gion Odori
The theme of Gion Odori is to appraise the four seasons of Gion Kobu and each events combines the songs and dances peculiar to local Geishas.
Date: 10 days (1st – 10th in 2024)
Location: Gion KaikanTicket: 6,000/7,000 yen
Apart from geisha shows, Kyoto has more colorful Geisha activities, like visiting Geisha Museum and Geisha makeup. You can read our Kyoto Geisha Experience to know more.