Geisha Beer Garden in Kyoto - Miyagawacho Summer Festival 宮川町 芸者

Miyagawacho is one of the five geisha districts in Kyoto. In the August, they light lanterns along the street and hold a beer garden where geisha, maiko (geisha apprentices), and their musicians walk around and talk to the guests. At the end, they do a dance performance. They don’t wear the white make up or heavy kimono because Kyoto’s summers are nigh unbearable in the lightest of clothing. The beer garden admission is ¥5000 ($50) with a box dinner and all you can drink beer, sake, and Chu-hi. It runs to