In Kyoto there are restaurants that offer opportunity to
dine with and be entertained by Geisha (artisan) and
Maiko (apprentice Geisha). One of the most popular and
common place to see Geisha is in the Gion District,
which is next to the Yasaka Shrine. The meal served will
be kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that will reflect
the flavors of the season. The geisha and maiko have
been trained in literature, tea ceremony, poetry, dancing,
and Japanese traditional instruments. Being privately
entertained by Geisha can be experience, but luckily
there are cheaper options that will not cost you $900 or
more. By joining groups people can experience the
chance to be hosted by maiko. During the meal you can
engage in conversations with the maiko.
A great part of the evening with the hosts is the games
that are played with the involvement of the guests. If you
win against the girls then you get a small prize for them
otherwise you will have to drink a shot of beer instead.
There are two games that are usually played called
Konpira Fune Fune and Tora Tora Tora. The first game,
Konpira Fune Fune, tests your rhythm, memory, and
reflexes to the music played on a shamisen. There is a
bowl in the center of the table that both players can take
back and forth. If on your turn the bowl is not there then
you have to show rock (a fist) and if it is there then you
show paper (flat hand). Tora Tora Tora is a form of rock,
paper, scissors, but instead it is old woman, samurai, and
tiger. Old women beats samurai, tiger beats old woman,
and samurai beats tiger.
