Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover Kyoto's captivating Geisha culture with the Kyoto Night Walking Tour. Led by local guides steeped in tradition, this journey unveils the world of Geisha and Maiko.

Stroll through Kyoto's night, where elegance and grace come to life. Learn Geisha secrets, their training, and artistry. Encounter Geisha and Maiko en route to appointments, offering a rare glimpse into their world.

In an intimate setting, ask questions and engage with this enthralling tradition. The Kyoto Night Walking Tour immerses you authentically, connecting you to Kyoto's Geisha culture.

Join us on this enchanting journey to illuminate the captivating world of Geisha, revealing the history and thriving traditions that come alive in Kyoto after dark.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

The Izumono Okuni Statue in Kyoto is a bronze sculpture dedicated to Okuni, a legendary figure considered the founder of Kabuki theater. Located in the Gion district, this statue pays homage to Okuni's pioneering contributions to Japanese performing arts. Okuni is believed to have originated Kabuki in the early 17th century, and her statue serves as a symbol of the art form's rich history in Kyoto. Visitors to the Gion district can admire this iconic statue as they explore the area's cultural and historical attractions.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Minamiza Theater

Minamiza is a historic theater in Kyoto, Japan, renowned for hosting traditional Kabuki performances. Kabuki is a unique Japanese theater art known for elaborate costumes and dramatic storytelling, often featuring historical themes. At Minamiza, visitors can experience the rich cultural heritage of Kabuki in a historic setting, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in Japanese culture and theater.

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

All Fees and Taxes

Bottled water

Options

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Reviews

4.84

1,441 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1309

Kenji was so informative and passionate
Kimberley F,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Kenji was so informative and passionate about the Geiko and their craft. He showed so much respect for them. We had a grandma and two teens in our family group and he kept all entertained with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Thanks for a great night Kenji.
Relaxing and easy
242dashad,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very nice and relaxing tour, lovely guide Akari softly moved all of us into Japanese culture and opened a veil of geiko and Maiko story
Great tour of one of Kyoto's prettiest areas
F4011WCmarcusd,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide, Nami, gave a great tour of Gion and some of the hanamachi there. It was a really cold night but she didn't rush the tour even though we were a very small group. It made for a really nice end to our first full day in Kyoto since it felt like getting a private tour of the area. She told us about the history of the geiko profession and of the Gion district. A few nights later we explored Gion again by ourselves and noticed a lot more details on the other streets in the area thanks to the info we picked up from Nami.
Great tour - very informative!
Michelle C,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great walking tour, through lovely parts of Kyoto. Our tour guide Shin was very informative and very happy to answer all our questions. A genuinely interesting tour which we all learned a lot from.
An evening in historical Kyoto
Dmitri D,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Deborah is a great guide with in depth knowledge of the subject and related history. A very enjoyable walk and great pictures for the evening.
Great informative tour
103drews,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Deborah,was a great guide ,very passionate about the history of the Geisha.So easy to talk to and full of information.We even saw a Geisha on a very cold night.We were a family of 4 and all had great time.
Great experience
Stobhan R,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was such a great tour! Our tour guide, Melanie, was very down-to-earth and well-informed about everything regarding both the life of a geisha, and Japan in general. We had a geisha performance/cultural experience already booked the next day, so it was great to have the chance to receive plenty of background info about the history and lives of geisha. Thank you again for the great tour Melanie, and we highly recommend booking a tour!
Very informative and enjoyable experience
sandrasZ268KS,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very informative, Deborah was a great guide. Lots of knowledge and passion about the topic and Japanese culture.
LOVED this experience!!
Amy P,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Manuel was an incredible tour guide! His knowledge of the Geisha history was very detailed. We could see his passion and interest in Japanese culture. I really loved this tour. A highlight of my trip!
Beautiful night time tour of Gion
leitrips,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Yukari was a wonderful guide. She was knowledgeable kept the group engaged during the tour. She patiently answered the questions from the group. The walk was beautiful and quiet through Gion, other than the loud scooters. We were fortunate to see both a Maikosan & Geikosan during our tour. Would definitely recommend.