Gion Kagai Art Museum

The most economical and approachable way for most people to see actual geisha (maiko and geiko in Kyoto parlance) is at the Gion Kagai Art Museum. You can see displays of their kimono and accoutrements, learn about the culture, see them perform and even have a picture taken with one.

Gion Kagai Art Museum exterior © Chris Rowthorn

Located just off the famous Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion, just behind the Gion Kaburenjo Theatre, the Gion Kagai Art Museum is a must for those interested in Kyoto’s geisha. “Kagai” is the Japanese word for geisha district, and this museum is in the heart of Kyoto’s biggest geisha district. While you might take your chances in the area hoping to catch a glimpse of a geisha passing by, if you really want to see an actual geisha (not a tourist made up as one), then this is the place.

Maiko kimono display © Chris Rowthorn

There are several large rooms in the museum that display geisha kimono and things like shamisen (Japanese instrument) and kanzashi (hair pins). One of the main rooms looks out over a lovely Japanese garden.

Maiko kanzashi hair pin display © Chris Rowthorn

Five times a day, a geisha (geiko or maiko) will perform on the dance stage for about 15 minutes. Entry to the show costs ¥1600 (this is in addition to the museum’s entrance fee of ¥1500). It’s well worth it for fans of geisha. Twice a day, photo sessions are held with maiko or geiko, which cost ¥2000 per group. Check the museum’s schedule page for times when you are in town.

Display hall with garden view © Chris Rowthorn

For those who want to sample an evening of geisha entertainment, my company offers private geisha entertainment in exclusive Kyoto restaurants. See our Geisha page for more details. And, if you’d like a private tour of the geisha districts, check out my company’s Gion Evening Walk.

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Name in English:
Gion Kagai Art Museum

Name in Japanese:
祇園 花街芸術資料館

English address:
Yasaka Club, 570-2 Gionmachi-minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku

Japanese address:
東山区祇園町南側570-2 八坂倶楽部

Opening hours:
11:00am-7:00pm (admission until 6:15pm)

Admission:
¥1500

Nearest Transport:
4-minute walk from Higashiyama Yasui Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station. Or 10-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line.

Telephone:
+81-50-1720-0155

Website:
Official website (English)

Near To Here:
Gion Kagai Art Museum is located in Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Southern Higashiyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn

• Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
• A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
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