Geisha Makeover Experience

We will introduce you to some Japanese sweets recommended by real maiko and the scenery of Hanamikoji!!! Please give it a try! ♡

Hello everyone~ 😉 

This is Yoshida, and I'm secretly happy that the hot sunshine has gotten a little more bearable recently.

September is almost here... my favorite season, autumn, is just around the corner...

I hope it gets cooler soon

When you think of Kyoto, you think of Japanese sweets.

Most of the people who come to Aya are from outside the prefecture.

They seemed to be overwhelmed by Kyoto's matcha sweets and desserts.

This time, I would like to introduce it to both first-time visitors and those who have been here many times.

Easy access from SaiExquisite Japanese sweetsI would like to introduce to you 😀 

The place I went to this time is within a 10 minute walk from Aya.

Kyoto's largest entertainment district,Gion Kobu Hanamikoji Alley will be important.

On this premises, real maiko train every day.

It has existed since the Edo period, and it is said that in its early days there were over 1,000 Geisha and maiko.

However, as time passed, their numbers steadily decreased, and now there are only about 5 maiko in all five geisha districts.

There are also TV programs that feature maiko, so their numbers may continue to increase.

The stone pavement, buildings, and Edo period scenery are all still there, making it really beautiful.

After passing through the main street, it takes about five minutes to walk down a narrow alleyway.

Yes, there is. Today I would like to introduceKyoto KinanaMr. is.

What is this shop?It's a popular restaurant, and is a favorite haunt of maiko 🙄 

Freshly made kinako ice cream is the highlight of this shop, and they also have ice creams with matcha and black sesame.

After much deliberation, I decided to order this

Kinana Japan 1,100 yen (tax included)

The ice cream was mugwort and black sesame...I think it also had warabimochi in it.

Anyway, everything was delicious (a very rough food review)

After debating whether to go with kinako ice cream or not, I decided to add a half-sized ice cream as well 😳 ♡

The kinako ice cream was also delicious and very smooth.

This is a taste that will make you want to come back again and again, so please give it a try.

With my stomach feeling happy, I decided to take a stroll around the surrounding area.

Is this a brothel?

As you can see, Hanamikoji is dotted with houses where geisha live.

Maiko will live here for about five or six years.

This sign shows the precautions to take at Hanamikoji, a place that is unique not only in Japan but in the world.

There is a maiko on the sign, and it is the only one of its kind here, so foreign tourists gathered around it to take photos.

I joined the group and took a photo.

The main street is always crowded with tourists.

There are fewer people on the streets other than the main roads, so you can experience the Kyoto atmosphere even more.

There are many tea shops and restaurants.

The name of the brothel is written in front.

It is a famous geisha house in Gion Kobu and has produced many popular maiko.

While I was taking photos...A real maikoI saw

I took a photo from behind as long as it was not too intrusive.

In the evening, it is rare to see maiko going out to the establishments where their customers are waiting.

The maiko are at work, so please resist the urge to talk to them and leave them alone 😎

(I was screaming in my heart too: "This is the real deal...!!!")

Her tied hair, her loose obi, and the red that stands out against her white makeup.

It's really wonderful that they are preserving the traditions of Kyoto.

What did you think? This time we introduced sweets and Gion Kobu 😉

Next time, I'll introduce you to a different entertainment district. Look forward to it!

This is the end of Yoshida Rina's blog. Thank you for reading.