For the event Kyo no Tanabata, a festival to celebrate the stars in August, the Ponto-chō Kaburenjo theater 先斗町歌舞練場 organizes evening Maiko Chaya 舞妓茶屋 , literally it means Maiko tea house. In fact it is an hour in the company of 2 Geisha apprentices who are called Maiko . During this time, guests can eat and drink, chat with Maiko, take pictures with her and see their dance. Rather exceptional event when we know that in order to approach a Geisha, they must be paid for their hours of entertainment in tea house or a particular restaurant and the time price is quite exuberant. Moreover, they only trust their customer circles then to invite them, you must be co-opted by one of their clients.
Here the Ponto-chō Kaburenjo theater, in collaboration with the Kyoto Tourist Office, offers the opportunity to meet them for the price of 1,700 yen per person when you book your ticket in advance (in Nippon travel agency, there is 1 in Kyoto station), otherwise 2000 yen. In the ticket price is included the meeting of Maiko, the permission to take photos of them and with them, discussion, dance, a drink (beer, soft drinks or iced tea Matcha) and snack (snack or Japanese dessert Anmitsu). There are 3 performances per evening (5.30 p.m. , 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and each night the two maiko change. In our party, we have the honor of meeting Mitsuhana and Momihina. Each maiko pass on each table, takes pictures with everyone present, discuss and gives their business card with their name. The last 15 minutes are devoted to their dance performance. They interpret 2 dances on a small stage set up for the occasion. The evening's host will also present their kimono. If you get hungry, there are a few snacks like Edamame beans or cheese or sushi, which are available for 500 yen. All drinks are 500 yen except your first drink included in the ticket price.
Well! This is a very interesting experience awaits you at the Ponto-chō Kaburenjo theater. The same experiment proposed by the tourist office but with a much larger audience, will cost at least 5,000 yen per person and I even saw 19,000 yen per night (small dinner included).