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As a travel destination, Kyoto is a popular choice as it combines the serenity of the Japanese lifestyle and the magical flavor of a tradition, most Westerners are fascinated with — the tradition of Geisha.
The Gion district is the most famous of the five Hanamachi (areas where local Geisha live & work) in Kyoto. In these five Hanamachi, it is said that there are a couple hundred Geisha and most entertain in the many O-chaya (tea houses) which line the narrow streets in the Gion district. O-chayas are not regular tea houses, but rather they are old Japanese style buildings with wooden doors and tatami mats. Some even have traditional Japanese gardens. Most O-chayas are located along Hanamikoji Street and some, even though small, do actually house Maiko (Geisha in training), where the Maiko can live and work. The banquet type tatami clad rooms are used to entertain guests as well as to serve meals.
Many of the O-chaya are located near local shrines and temples — making a stroll in the Gion district a wonderful opportunity to step back in time! If you visit the Gion District in the early evening hours, it is not unusual to see Geisha and Maiko making their way along the maze of alleyways and streets, toward their appointments in one of the many O-chaya or restaurants in the area.
We hope you will enjoy your tour in Kyoto, where the traditional houses & artistic shops still exist. |
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| For more information about KYOTO, click here. |
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* Package price is based on: 1) Departure from New York's JFK Airport (we can re-price this package based on your departing city/airport) 2) Availability 3) Twin-occupancy room 4) Weekday departure and returns (M-TH) and 5) Does not include airfare tax and fuel surcharge.
* Single Supplement: $365 |
| The price includes - roundtrip economy class airfare on American Airlines, 4 nights stay at New Miyako Hotel with daily breakfast, 1 night stay at Yachiyo Ryokan (includes breakfast and dinner), Kyoto 1 Day Tour with lunch, Kyoto Special Night Tour with dinner, a 5-day Kintetsu Rail Pass, luggage tags, destination maps and brochures. |
| Day 1 |
US Departure by American Airlines |
| Day 2 |
Arrival into Osaka Airport and transfer to Kyoto via Kintetsu Rail Pass
Overnight in Kyoto at New Miyako Hotel |
| Day 3 |
Day: Kyoto 1 Day Tour with lunch - Tour highlights:
Nijo Castle, Golden Pavilion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center, Heian Shrine, Sanju Sangendo and Kiyomizu Temple
Overnight in Kyoto |
| Day 4 |
Free at leisure in Kyoto
Evening: Kyoto Special Night Tour - Tour Highlights
Enjoy a delightful pageant of seven Japanese traditional arts: koto music, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, Gagaku (ancient court music and dance), kyogen (classical comic theater), kyomai (Kyoto-style Japanese dance), and Bunraku (puppet drama).
Overnight in Kyoto at New Miyako Hotel |
| Day 5 |
Free at leisure in Kyoto
Overnight in Kyoto |
| Day 6 |
Free at leisure in Kyoto
Overnight in Kyoto at Yachiyo Ryokan |
| Day 7 |
Japan Departure via Osaka by
American Airlines |
The Geisha special supplemental program offers you the chance to explore the world of traditional Kyoto and the Geisha lifestyle! This 2-day program, along with the 7-day package in Kyoto, lets you experience some of the daily rituals of Geishas living and working in Kyoto; including trying on an authentic kimono and attending a Japanese tea ceremony!
Day 1 Experience the enchantment of Kyoto
Begin your two day journey around Kyoto on foot with an English-speaking guide.
Morning: Visit Ninna-Ji Temple which features a large variety of different buildings and gardens, which was built as an Imperial residence in 888. Next stop is the world's most renowned Zen garden at Ryoan-Ji. This Zen garden consists of rocks, moss and neatly raked gravel. Enjoy an authentic Kyoto tempura lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: The tour will continue to the Gion area, the home of Geisha.
Day 2 Catch a glimpse of “Geisha Life”
Morning: Try on a Kimono and join in a tea ceremony. Kaiseki lunch will be taken at a local restaurant. Kaiseki may be considered the ultimate Japanese cuisine. It comes in courses of small portions, decorated and presented in such a gracious manner that it's hard to believe everything there is edible!
Afternoon: The tour continues to Yasaka Shrine --- Nene's path (Tycoon Hideyoshi's wife) --- Ninen-zaka and Sannen-Zaka where many of the traditional houses & artistic shops still exist.
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