Ochaya basically don't do business with newcomers without the proper referral, especially in Kyoto. This system is called "ichigensan okotowari". Unless you are referred by someone who is already a customer of ochaya, you can't enter ochaya. Since the charge is billed to customers from ochaya later, it's important for ochaya to have trusting relationships with their customers.
When customers of ochaya want to have geisha parties in ochaya, they are charged for the food and geisha service besides the room charge. They can also invite geisha for entertaining at dinner in restaurants, hotels, or Japanese inns.
For tourists or first-timers, it's not impossible to have a party with geisha. Well-known Japanese inns, hotels, or restaurants in the cities that has geisha districts often have some kinds of connection to ochaya and can arrange geisha parties for their customers. Make an inquiry to hotels you are staying.
The cost for a party with geisha varies depending on the number of geisha, food, drink, hours, and so on. You might be able to have a party with geisha beginning at about $150 per person. Also, there are guided tours, which include dinner or lunch with geisha in Japan. Please contact a Japanese travel agency. If you want to see gorgeous performances of geisha in Japan, visit one of the best Japanese geisha shows.
Where to Meet Geisha in Japan
- Hotel Nikko Princess - The hotel can arrange dinner with geisha for guests. Please make an inquiry to the hotel.
- Hotel Centnovum - The hotel can arrange a geisha party at ochaya. Please make an inquiry to the hotel.
- Kyoto Gion Shinmonso (Japanese inn in Kyoto) - Guests can have geisha parties and enjoy geisha performances.
- Kyoto Gion Hatanaka (Japanese inn in Kyoto) - It offers Kyoto-style dinner parties with geisha performances.
- Kanazawa Kaikarou - It's ochaya in Kanazawa-city.
1-14-8 Higashiyama Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa
Phone: 076-253-0591 / email: info@kaikaro.jp - Kyoto Kokusai Hotel - Geisha dance shows are held in the garden every Friday and Saturday.
- Sayuki - Geisha in Asakusa
Sayuki-san is the first Westerner to become a geisha in Japan. She arrange inexpensive banquets with geisha in Asakusa, Tokyo. - Kyoto Maiko Museum and Cafe
- Kamishichiken Beer Garden - It' a place to enjoy drinking beer with geisha.
Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Kamigyo-ku Kyoto
5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. (July 1 - September 5, 2009) - Meeting Geisha in Kyoto
Offers walking tours to the Gion district with an English-speaking guide and arranges geisha parties. By Kyoto Sights & Nights
In Kyoto, there are five hanamachi (geisha districts). The most famous is the Gion district located on the west of Kawaramachi, Shijo-dori street. The Gion district retains old Japanese-style buildings and the atmosphere is different from other part of the city. The best area to meet geisha is the Hanamikoji Street in Gion, where many ochaya (geisha banquet house) are located. If you visit the area in early evening, you might be able to see beautiful geisha walking to their appointments. Other than Kyoto, Asakusa and Shinbashi in Tokyo, Kanazawa-city, Atami-city, and Niigata-city are well-known places with geisha districts.
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Japanese Geisha: How to Become a Geisha in Japan
