Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko

Experience a live interaction with a maiko. Drink tea, asking her questions, take a photo!

Maiko are young women that must climb up the ladder of hierarchy to become an official geisha. These young artists are trained for years before finally reaching their debut as a professional geisha. They are strictly taught under masters of different arts for many years and study various instruments, conversation, and dance.

You can spot a maiko by paying close attention to the details of their appearance. Firstly, their hair is elaborately styled, and they often wear ornaments dangling from their head. They also do not wear wigs, so you should be able to see unpainted skin near their hairline. In a maiko’s makeup, they will typically have their bottom lip painted red and their eyebrows painted red. They wear long-sleeved, colorful kimono with a wide obi (sash) that reaches their feet and is tied into a bow in the back. Their embroidered collar is often red, gold, or cream colored. Maiko are often seen wearing very high wooden sandals, also known as “okobo”. Another way to distinct a maiko is by their age, since they are quite younger than their counterparts, but this is not the most accurate way to tell! Since they hold celebrity status, maiko are only seen in the evening time and often avoid crowded places. Maiko are also paid for their time, so they will not be seen taking photos with tourists.

The minimum age for a girl to become a maiko is sixteen. This means that she must have at least passed middle school for her to begin her training. However, it is very tough to train as a maiko. For instance, new trainees who aim for the premier geisha level must train often and focus on their studies. On top of learning about arts and refineries they must master, they also have to face adjustments to their new lifestyle. They must restrain from having contact with their family and friends for some time after their training begins. Habits they once had like messaging, calling, or visiting their loved ones must now be placed aside for their career. Of course, maiko are not allowed to marry or have boyfriends as part of their life decision. Consequently, their schedules are focused on strict hours for their lessons in art, music, dance, and other lessons that require much detail. One of the many lessons taught focuses on traditional tea ceremony as well.

On some of our selected tours, you will have a chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony with a real maiko. You will also have photo-taking opportunities and a chance to interact with the maiko. The tea ceremony is a basic practice that a maiko can perform for her customers.

In conclusion, maiko are entertainers that undergo intense training for years before they are deemed geisha. Maiko are placed in strict conditions in order to reach their goals with a mastery of arts to entertain their patrons.

Please see below for tours that include Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction: