Indulge yourself in a little make believe and become a part of old Japan. There are a number of locations in Kyoto where you can try on the elegant makeup and intricately patterned kimono of the Geisha or test your mettle as swordfighter in Samurai wear. Most locations will allow you to take photographs to commemorate and share your experience with friends and family back home. Details of locations and the experiences they offer are listed below.
<Shops for Becoming a Samurai or Maiko (Maiko Henshin)>
You can wear the kimono, traditional hairpiece, and makeup of a Geisha.
Shu Katsuyama
Address: 57 Bunki-cho, Sanjo-agaru, Higashiyama, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075-751-1818
Access: 1-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Subway Line
7-minute walk from Gion
Fees: 12,000 yen-
Hours: 10:00-22:00 (information and reservations)
<Swordsmanship Workshop>
You can also wear a kimono and become the hero in your favorite samurai show!
Address: 10 Uzumasa-Higashihachigaokacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8586
Tel: 075-864-7788 (Event Information) Tel: 075-864-7750
Fees: 8500-16000 yen/person
Time required: 1 hour
<Experience Kimono>
Try on a Maiko/Geiko Kimono, 12-layered Kimono or a normal Kimono.
Fees & Time required: Maiko/Geiko & 12-layered Kimono: 10,000 yen about 60 minutes
Normal Kimono: 3,600 yen about 20 minutes *Advance reservations necessary
Address: Horikawa- Imadegawa Minami-iru Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto JAPAN 602
Tel: 075-451-9231 FAX: 075-432-6156
Wak Japan (*Arranges all programs!!)
Address: 412-506 Iseya-cho, Kawaramachi Marutamachi sagaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 602-0873
Tel: 075-212-9993 FAX: 075-212-9994
Fees: 3,500 yen-(Kimono Wearing)
