Geisha were professional entertainers in the past but geisha culture has changed significantly in the last hundred years.
While these beautiful women can still be found in large cities across Japan, modern geisha have adapted to the new age.
In this article, we find out where you can find modern-day geisha in Japan and how you can take part in a geisha dinner.
Are There Still Geisha In Japan Today?
Yes, there are still some geisha living and entertaining in the larger cities of Japan.
While many women are trying to keep this tradition alive, the number of geisha in Japan shrinks every year.
Geisha entertain guests during banquets, meals and a range of other occasions.
They are highly skilled in different traditional Japanese arts, including dance, playing and instrument and even the art of conversation.
A geisha’s role is to ensure that guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
Where Can You Find Geisha In Modern Day Japan?
You can find geisha is several large Japanese cities, including Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo.
Kyoto
Saying this, Kyoto is one of the biggest centers of geisha culture where many geisha have settled. Geisha are known as geiko in Kyoto.
The city has five major geiko districts, which are known as hanamachi. The four main districts are Gion Higashi, Gion Kobu, Pontocho and Miyagawacho.
These areas are all centered around the main Gion district of Kyoto. The fifth geiko district, Kamishichiken is close to the popular Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
In these districts, you will be able to see geisha and can even dress up as a geisha for a day.
While it seems that there are still a lot of modern geisha when you wander around a geiko district, outside of these areas, maiko and geisha or a rare sight.
Geisha live in and around these districts because this is where most tourists come to see geisha, and where they can offer dinner entertainment for a fee.
Tokyo
Tokyo has six geisha districts, including Kagurazaka, Akasaka, Asakusa, Mukojima, Yoshicho and Shimbashi.
Tokyo is said to be the birthplace of geisha culture. The first female geisha in Japan was based in the Fukagawa district in Tokyo.
As the modern capital city of Japan, Tokyo has seen a lot of change, especially when it comes to the presence of geisha and maiko.
After WWII, many geisha districts and other parts of the cities were in decline.
This has changed only since the year 2000 when the city and Tokyo prefecture started to invest more in traditional Japanese heritage.
Niigata
The port city of Niigata has a long-standing geisha tradition which goes back all the way to the Edo period.
In Niigata, geisha are known as geigi. You will be able to find most geigi in the Furumachi neighborhood because it has the most restaurants and tea houses.
Many geisha districts across Japan were in decline during the 1980s. This was also true for Niigata.
However, Niigata geigi follow more flexible traditions and rules than geisha in other parts of the country.
This has helped to bring back geigi culture to Niigata in the modern day.
Regional Geisha Districts
While many regional hanamachi aren’t usually big enough to be mentioned, there are also other geisha districts around the country.
As a rule of thumb, larger tourist spots usually are also places where modern geisha live and work.
For example, you might also meet geisha in onsen towns, such as Atami. Although these districts aren’t very prestigious, geisha often work there to entertain traveling customers.
Wherever you meet a geisha in modern day Japan, these women are always professionally trained in traditional arts and culture.
How Can You Meet Geisha In Japan?
The best way to meet a modern day geisha in Japan is by joining a traditional geisha dinner.
These dinners used to be extremely expensive and exclusive to only a certain group of Japanese people.
However, the economic downturn in the past years meant that many tea houses and ochaya are opening up to tourists.
This allows everyone on a budget to enter an ochaya and be entertained by a geisha.
If you use a travel agency or stay at a local hotel, then you will likely be recommended a traditional geisha or maiko dinner.
It’s good to bear in mind that these dinners aren’t traditionally held in English. A geisha is only trained in specific Japanese dialects.
However, if you book with a travel agency, then the agency may be able to arrange an interpreter.
Usually, tourists are charged for the meal per person, the entertainment of the geiko or maiko and an additional fee for the interpreter.
Changes In Traditional Geisha Culture
Traditionally, maiko and geisha live in special houses in geisha districts. This is still the case today.
Young girls are taught in hospitality skills, communication and traditional arts from the age of 15.
Once the girl passed her initial training and an exam, she will become a geisha apprentice, known as a maiko.
With additional training, maiko graduate to become geisha after a few years.
While the training process has stayed the same for geisha, modern day geisha culture is very different to the traditional image of a geisha.
Non-Japanese Women Become Geisha
In the past, only Japanese citizens were allowed to become geisha (see also ‘What Do Geisha Wear In Their Hair?‘). However, this has changed with modern times.
In recent years, also foreigners and non-Japanese women can now train in the art of being a geisha.
Geisha Are More Public Facing
Geisha were a core part of exclusive events. When a geisha entertained guests, then this was only for special occasions and high-class events.
This meant that many geisha would only face people of the upper classes of society who could afford to entertain lavishly.
However, this has drastically changed since World War II. Geisha culture declined together with the disappearance of tea houses and other businesses.
Female geisha had to adapt to this change. They entertain a lot more tourists at lower key events for a small fee.
Geisha Entertain In Different Places
In the past, geisha entertained exclusively in tea houses and other high-class locations.
However, modern geisha also work in hotels, beer gardens and other tourist spots where they can perform.
Westernization Of Geisha Culture
Traditional geisha lived in relative prosperity and they used to have a high standing in society.
With the economic decline after WWII, many parts of Japans’ traditional heritage disappeared or changed.
In addition to the difficult economic situation, geisha also faced tougher regulations after the war.
However, one of the biggest problems for geisha culture began during WWII when American soldiers started to meet geisha.
They would often misunderstand what these women had to offer, turning the reputation of the geisha from an entertainer to a nightclub hostess or prostitute.
A true geisha doesn’t work as a prostitute. However, during the post-war years, some women dressed up as geisha to offer sex services to Western men.
This reputation has sadly stuck to the image of the geisha until today.
Final Thoughts
You can find modern geisha in geisha districts around Tokyo and Kyoto. However, there are also some regional districts where geisha live and work.
