The Geisha have remained in Japan for many centuries and as the world has entered into modernity, the public interest concerning Geishas have increased. They are often misunderstood by the uninitiated. There are various reasons why Geishas have increasingly become popular these days. They appeared in various movies, anime, fiction, manga, advertising and music videos. When you spot a Geisha in Japan, it is like chasing a rock star. In the future they are likely to get more attention as their ways of life has still remained since this art has started in feudal Japan.
The flower street or known locally as Hanamachi are the traditional districts of entertainment which features the geisha houses or okiya and the tea houses or ochaya where geishas entertain guests with their learned arts. The primary geisha district mentioned in Kyoto travel guides is Gion but there are four geisha districts you can find in Kyoto.
- The most exclusive and largest geisha district in Japan is Gion. This is where all the important guests, foreign dignitaries and most of the wealthy are entertained in the ochaya situated here. For the public who will have difficulty getting entertained by the geisha, they can spot the geiko (full-fledged geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) in Gion either rushing to work or going home from one. You will also witness their annual event performed by all the geishas in Kyoto which is the Miyako Odori or Cherry Blossom Dances. This festival is held each night in the month of April in Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. This festivity has been celebrated yearly since 1869.
- Miyagawachou consist of a large entertainment district that can be found along the banks of the river Kamo. You can find several ochaya establishments in this area. The Minamiza Theater is in this place as well, which holds Kabuki plays done by traditional artists. It also often feature performances by the geishas.
- Kamishichiken has about ten ochaya running to this day. You will find around 25 maikos and geikos in this district and are widely known for their excellent skill with music.
- Pontocho is a very narrow street about 600 meter long which has served as a nightlife area since 712. The geishas here practice at the Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater. The geishas hold an event twice a year here called the Kamogawa Odori.
While geishas are a sight to behold, there are fake ones that come and go in the streets of Kyoto. This is allowable as some geisha houses offer visitors a chance to dress up like one.