Entertainment

Traditional performing arts and hospitality

Synonymous with traditional entertainment in Kyoto are the maiko, who undergo a long and strict period of training before stepping up on to the stage of omotenashi(Japanese hospitality). The dazzling image of the maiko, dressed in kimono, with distinctive white makeup, and floral decorations swaying amid a traditional hairstyle, is the very essence of purity. Maiko entertain guests in tatami rooms with enchanting dance performances and traditional games. They are consummate professionals who revere traditions and offer attentive and dedicated hospitality. The dinner parties hosted by maiko offer the chance for a more profound experience of the spirit of omotenashi that so characterizes Kyoto.

Another form of traditional entertainment is the form of musical theatre, Noh. Said to be the oldest form of theatrical art in the world, Noh beckons the viewer into a supernatural and mystical world. It is also possible to enjoy a Noh performance whilst dining, an experience that adds a further dimension to the spirit of omotenashi.

Encounter the beauty of the maiko