Local tells Top 5 best Places for Geisha & Maiko Makeovers in Kyoto! Dress up like a real Geisha!

Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!

Did you know that, in Kyoto, there are places that you can have a geisha or maiko makeover?

You can dress like a geisha or maiko, have a professional photographer capture your makeover in picturesque streets of Kyoto.

You can even walk around Kyoto’s scenic spots in your geisha or maiko attire.

Be cautioned that many tourists might mistake you for a real geisha or maiko and approach you for a photo!

This will for sure be one of a kind experience for you.

Here are top 5 places for Geisha & Maiko Makeovers in Kyoto.

Local tells Top 5 best Places for Geisha & Maiko Makeovers in Kyoto! Dress up like a real Geisha!

1.Maiko Henshin Studio SHIKI/舞妓変身スタジオ四季

Located along the scenic cobble stoned street of Ninenzaka near Kiyomizu temple, Shiki offers any tourist a dream experience of maiko makeover.

Shiki has a vast stock of silk kimono robes for you to choose from.

I am sure you will find your dream kimono.

Shiki is known to be excellent with their make-ups and photographs, and it is also my personal favorite.

It has been a “go to” place for concierges of Kyoto hotels to endorse their guests.

Just like any other place, it will usually take 1-1.5 hrs for you to get dressed and have a maiko make-up along with a hairstyle, then you will proceed to a photo session.

Make sure to reserve in advance.

Due to their excellent services, their price point can be quite high.

However, Shiki usually has campaigns during which they can offer the discounted price.

Currently they are offering 36th anniversary campaign until June 10th in 2018.

Their studio plan (where photos will be taken inside a studio) starts at ¥14,900, and a strolling plan ¥18,900.

Don’t miss this great discount!

2.Kayoo/華陽

Kayoo offers various plans for your makeover.

Generally, anything you want, they can make it happen for you, be it you want an accompanying staff, or prefer a simple kimono instead of an extravagant makeover.

Their basic plan starts at ¥13,000, which is a maiko makeover and photographs inside their machiya style shop.

They also offer a maiko makeover without any photo-session at ¥7,600, which may be a perfect plan for a group or a couple who want to take their own photos.

For a strolling plan, you can choose from several places where you want to go.

A great option to add is a kimono for a male at ¥3,300.

If you visit as a couple, or with your children, all of you can have a makeover.

Kayoo is a few minutes walk from Shijo Omiya Station on Keifuku Arashiyama Line.

3.Gion AYA/ぎをん彩

Aya is located in a gorgeous machiya (traditional teahouse) that used to be an authentic teahouse before, where the actual geisha and maiko used to serve.

It is located in the picturesque area that has the “Kyoto” feel.

The skills of their professional camera men and make-up artists are highly regarded here.

They can take great pictures of you in a nice teahouse setting, garden, or during the your stroll of nearby streets.

The plan starts at ¥11,500, including picture taking inside a teahouse.

You can also have an option of having a photographer accompany your stroll around a tourist spot of your choice.

All the staff here are trained in basic English, so you can feel free to communicate any of your concerns to their staff.

It is recommended to take a taxi from Kyoto Station to Gion Aya, which takes around 15 minutes.

For further information or to make a reservation, please visit here



Next,let’s dress up like a real Geisha in Arashiyama!

4.Kyoto Arashiyama STUDIO KOKORO/嵐山本格舞妓体験処「STUDIO心」

This is a great studio located in Arashiyama.

For those who want to experience geisha or maiko makeover while touring in the most scenic spots of Arashiyama area, this is the place for you.

Their basic plan starts with ¥11,500 including make-up, kimono rental, photos, etc.

It will be around ¥13,500 with a stroll.

Their unique feature is that you can have an option of an oiran makeover that is more of a Hollywood movie style: mysterious, dramatic and exotic.

Studio Kokoro is a 2 minutes’ walk from Arashiyama station on Keifuku Line.

Here is a video of Studio Kokoro.



For further information or to make a reservation, please visit here

5.Pension Gion/ペンション祇園

Pension Gion is located near Kennin-ji Temple in Gion.

This location makes it perfect for a quick photo session, right outside of their shop.

As the name suggests,this is B&B yet they offer Geisha&Maiko makeover experience as well.

This is the first shop that started the Geisha& Maiko makeover in Kyoto.

People who experienced geisha makeovers here praise their makeup and hairstyle to be more natural than others.

Pension Gion offers thoughtful services to make your experience more comfortable.

You can wear authentic Kimono that are used by the actual geisha and maiko here.

Their make over starts at ¥15,500, which includes make-up, hair, kimono rental,strolling and pictures.

Summary

Top 5 best Places for Geisha & Maiko Makeovers in Kyoto

1. Maiko Henshin Studio SHIKI・・・ Shiki has a vast stock of silk kimono robes for you to choose from.
2. Kayoo・・・Their basic plan starts at ¥13,000, which is a maiko makeover and photographs inside their machiya style shop.
3. Gion AYA・・・The skills of their professional camera men and make-up artists are highly regarded here.
4. Kyoto Arashiyama STUDIO KOKORO・・・For those who want to experience geisha or maiko makeover while touring in the most scenic spots of Arashiyama area, this is the place for you.
5. Pension Gion・・・This is the first shop that started the Geisha& Maiko makeover in Kyoto.

You can also make a reservation at Maiko and Geisha Makeover Experience from Voyagin:here.Right now Voyagin is running a $15 off promotion.

I hope you’ll Geisha & Maiko experience in Kyoto!

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