Kyoto Gion Geisha Secrets - 5 Star Walking Tour & Kyoto Snack

We can’t say enough about our nighttime “Geisha” culture tour with Richard. It was easily the highlight of the time we spent in Kyoto and Richard showed us a side of Gion, the geisha district and culture we would never have known, seen or experienced on our own. Richard has vast knowledge which he shares in a manner that makes his extensive tour both educational and incredibly entertaining. While the idea of doing an evening tour was at first “questionable” it turned out to be completely the opposite. The beauty of the area at night, with little tourist activity was something to behold. Walking down “back alleys” with Richard as he explained the history and architecture and seeing Gion off the tourist track was absolutely magnificent. At the end of the tour, Richard was kind enough to escort us to his favorite Gion Gyoza plus restaurant. An amazing experience we cannot recommend highly enough. 5 stars +. We have friends coming to Kyoto in March and they are already going to add Richard’s tour to their itinerary.

This tour showed me the real Kyoto with fascinating information and stories. It was the best tour ! Fun, interesting…..very well done !! Don’t miss it.

Richard gave the best tour ever. We learned so much about the history and area of Gion - we got to see so many spots and learn about history we would’ve never known or spotted on our ow. We even got udon noodles for a mid snack tour! This night time tour is a must!

A historic cultural experience of the Gion area. Richard was a wealth of information. A nice way to actually understand the community you decided to visit.

Richard was our best guide yet. Gion at night was less crowded, and Richard led us to beautiful spots off the beaten path that we returned to the next day. They were hidden gems right in the midst of Gion that even in the daytime were bereft of crowds. Not going to mention them here, as they should remain hidden.

my husband and I have been fortunate to travel the world and frequently hire tour guides to enhance our visits. I found this tour, led by Richard, thanks to TripAdvisor and it may be the best we’ve ever experienced in our travels. I HIGHLY recommend it to all who viait Kyoto!! We were lucky that the tour included only four guests so we had an intimate view into Gion, the Geisha/Maiko life, and Kyoto. Richard is super smart, knows his history, and is warm. He knew just where to take us in Gion and explained the Geisha culture beautifully. And touring Gion at night was magical! We also appreciated that Richard was willing to answer questions about life in Kyoto and more generally Japan further enhancing our visit to Kyoto. If you are travelling to Kyoto, you MUST book this tour. Worth every penny. Thanks Richard!!

Richard was an awesome guide. His knowledge of the geisha history and explanation of their way of life was engaging. Loved walking all around Gion! The stop for traditional Japanese desserts was great.

A very enjoyable and informative experience with a knowledgeable guide, who took great trouble to share his insights into the world of the Geisha. Thank you so much Richard!

We had a great time on this walk. Richard was an amazing guide and we could tell how passionate he was about showing us around his city and sharing its history and culture. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kyoto!

Great tour of the Geisha area, with Richard !! His knowledge of the area and the world of Geisha was incredible. Saw and learnt so much !! Other sights along the way were also great. Thank you Richard 🙏

I’ve taken many tours around the world over the years and this ranks as one of the best. Richard was phenomenal and brought Kyoto’s history and culture to life with in-depth personal knowledge about geisha training, fashion, and life, the city’s temples and shrines, and the quiet streets of Gion with hidden gems tourists don’t know about. Richard treated us to a delicious, refreshing, and beautifully plated dessert of mochi and matcha ice cream at a local restaurant as a mid-tour snack. Overall, we didn’t want it to end. Richard is a master storyteller and passionate about Kyoto. He does these tours because he loves sharing his city with visitors and it shows. He also gave us amazing restaurant recommendations. I cannot recommend this tour enough!

Richard is an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide. My family and I learned an enormous amount and had fun doing it. I highly recommend the night tour—after the crowds go home, the geisha district is a magical place.

I was so lucky that this small-group experience was totally small-group, just myself and the tourguide. And what a wonderful walk that was. So much new information about Geishas and everything that having to do with Geishas. Tourguide totally knew what he was talking about. I enjoyed the whole time we was walking around different places.

Richard did an amazing job explaining the Geisha culture and lifestyle. We even got a chance to see several Geishas during our tour. In addition, we were able to see many different sights of Kyoto. Is English was great. He provided our group with a traditional light snack. Would highly recommend Richard and this tour as it was extremely interesting and informative.

Ayatana rest Japanese Death poems Our afternoon tour of Gion with Richard was truly one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto and an experience I would recommend without hesitation. From the very beginning, Richard impressed us with his impeccable English, warmth, enthusiasm, and incredible knowledge of Kyoto. He gave us a fascinating introduction to the world of the maiko and geisha, explaining their traditions, training, daily lives, and the history surrounding Gion in a way that was both respectful and absolutely captivating. His insights into the lives of these remarkable women gave us a much deeper appreciation and understanding of this beautiful part of Japanese culture. But the tour was so much more than that. Richard brought Kyoto to life through wonderful samurai stories and fascinating details about both old and modern Kyoto. He has a gift for storytelling—you don’t feel as though you are simply being given historical facts; you feel transported into the stories and traditions of the city. And just when we thought the afternoon couldn’t get any better, the delicious snacks toward the end of the tour were such a wonderful and unexpected surprise! We learned an incredible amount, laughed, asked countless questions, and came away feeling that we had experienced Gion on a much deeper level than we ever could have on our own. We would honestly do this tour again in a second. If you are considering this tour, don’t hesitate—and if you have the opportunity to request Richard, DO IT! You will be so happy you did. He made an already special place absolutely unforgettable. Richard rocks! Five stars simply aren’t enough.

One of the best tours I’ve ever taken. The guide was extremely knowledgeable - more than any other tour guide I’ve ever had. Cannot recommend Richard enough.

Richard was extremely informative,energetic and organized. One of the best tours in a long time. The history of Geisha is very interesting.

Richard (the tour guide) was very knowledgeable of the history of Kyoto and was very pleasent to learn from. He provided a very nice meal for us during our tour. We had also very nice and allowed us to add on an additional person. Overall a fantastic experience and I recommend it if you are in the Kyoto area!

I did quite a bit of research before booking Richard. I knew we were going to finish in Kyoto and wanted something that would really stick with my grown kids. Richard is a local and bilingual. He is superman as we walked our butts off and I nary saw him break a sweat or take a swig of water. He has exceptional knowledge and appeared to have prepared ahead of time for some of what he presented and answered with our kids. We were quite lucky to actually see some geisha during the walk, but doing this in the evening was simply beautiful. He showed us famous places known for the best photographs, explained the stories of the samurai and the divisions, and what led to what shrine being built. He even took us to an evening dessert in a local cafe we would have never known existed and also to a shrine that was open for only a few evenings of the year. In karmic fashion, back in the states, I happened upon a book on the Geisha and have been devouring it ever since this experience with Richard. The geisha really are a direct link to old Japan and something unique to learn about. A tour like this is not to be missed. I hope to one day return and enjoy some more sake with Richard.

Mariko was a delightful and incredibly knowledgeable guide. The shrine was an absolute must-see - the most impressive we’ve visited in Japan, with its breathtaking 10,000 bright orange torii gates. Along the way, Mariko shared wonderful local insights, from teaching us how locals say thank you (“ōkini”) to recommending great restaurants. We learned so much and had a fantastic time. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Mariko!

This was one of the best tours I've ever taken. Richard turned our walk into not just an interesting story, but a book with a plot. He gradually introduced me to the city, showing me different areas, photos, and providing historical information. It was such a deep immersion into the culture that it felt like I was watching a historical movie. Thank you so much for this experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Absolutely great experience! Richard is very knowledgeable and shares cultural insights that you wouldn't learn just walking around on your own. He took me to areas and views I wouldn't have found on my own, and knew the best photo spots and what time to go to those spots to avoid the crowds. I learned a great deal more than I would have on my own, and had such a good time that I booked two more tours with him! Highly recommend!

Richard brought us to multiple interesting locations throughout the Gion district and explained the history of the Japanese culture. Given the itinerary is free-formed, we walked through shrines, quiet streets and famous sites to learn about the meaning behind the structures, different businesses supporting the geisha ecosystem, and the history of the religions practiced in Japan. Richard is very knowledgeable and thorough with his explanation. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the Japanese culture and the geisha industry. Wear comfortable shoes.

Great experience Richard is knowledgeable and friendly. He had many insights into the lifestyle of the Geisha and the history of the area.

Richard was absolutely the best guide! His knowledge, compelling insights and stories kept the group engaged and active. He didn’t just “explain” and move on, but took the time to give a rich overview of the Geisha history, but also what life is like for a modern Geisha. He brought Kyoto to life as we traversed the streets and shrines. Would give this tour 100 stars if I could!

Richard is the best! He personalized our experience and helped us navigate the Geisha district sharing his expertise of the culture and history. He shared some fantastic locations to take pictures and helped us find some quiet streets to visit to soak in the ambiance of the district away from the crowds and craziness. He even shared one of his favorite ramen-ya locations with us and we enjoyed a fantastic bowl of Kyoto style ramen. Highly recommended for anyone who has a chance to visit Kyoto and wants to learn more about the Geisha culture.

We ended up with a private tour today and Richard went out of his way to show us all of the highlights and the best views of the city as well! We had an incredible time and learned so much.

We were so fortunate to book this tour. We experienced Gion in the evening, wandering through the streets with Richard, who was a wealth of local knowledge and insights. Truly magical.

Loved this night tour, we were lucky enough to be the only couple this night, so got a very personal tour with Richard who was very knowledgeable about Kyoto and the Geishas. Gion Geisha area was really beautiful to visit at night (with less crowds). Highly recommend doing this tour with Richard.

Richard war ein unglaublich herzlicher, netter und zuvorkommender Guide. Die ganze Tour war voller spannender Informationen über Geishas und deren Leben. Man hat die geheime und verborgene Seite der Welt dieser Frauen kennengelernt und so viele faszinierende Geschichten gehört wie noch nie zuvor bei einer Tour. Trotz unserer nicht perfekten Englischkenntnisse konnten wir alles sehr gut verstehen, weil Richard mit viel Leidenschaft und sehr verständlich erklärt hat. Durch diese Tour erschien uns Kyoto plötzlich noch magischer und atmosphärischer. Wir können wirklich jedem empfehlen, diese Tour bei Richard zu buchen. Es war eines der schönsten und erinnerungswürdigsten Erlebnisse unserer Reise. Richard was an incredibly warm, kind, and attentive guide. The entire tour was filled with fascinating information about geishas and their lives. We learned about the hidden side of the women’s world and heard so many exciting stories unlike anything we had ever experienced on other tours. Even though our English is not perfect, we were able to understand everything very well because Richard explained everything clearly and with passion. After this tour, Kyoto felt completely different to us — even more magical and full of atmosphere. We highly, highly recommend booking this tour with Richard. It became one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

Richard is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide, with a wealth of information about the modern-day world of the geisha. His English is perfect and he is very personable. He took us down some very quiet streets and made sure we got the best photo opportunities. Best tour we have ever taken - and we’ve been on a lot over the years.

This is one of the best tours we have done in Japan. Richard is a fabulous guide with a deep knowledge of Kyoto and the culture of Geisha.

You will be very lucky if your guide is Richard! This was an excellent tour, and he truly brought Kyoto to life. His knowledge of Kyoto’s society and culture is impressive, and it made such a difference in how we experienced the city. He shared fascinating stories about specific shops, the history of Gion, the subtle details of geisha walking style, and many small insights that made Kyoto feel unique and special. The group size was small, which made the experience feel personal and relaxed rather than crowded. Richard also knew how to navigate away from busy areas and showed us great spots for photos. Evening is definitely the best time to explore Kyoto. We didn’t particularly enjoy the matcha snack, but that’s just personal preference—everyone else in the group seemed to enjoy it very much. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and highly recommended.

Richard our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Geisha lifestyle and history, as well as local history of Kyoto. Highly recommend the tour!

Insightful walking tour with Richard. It was magical exploring Gion at night, the matcha food stop was a pleasure and his restaurant recommendations were spot on. highly recommend this tour!

I’ve been on many tours and this one was one of the best. Richard is so well versed in Kyoto’s society and culture that he really brought the whole place to life. We wandered around on our own on our first day in the city; it was pretty and nice to see. But our second day was so much better when you have Richard pointing out the little things, the stories of a specific shop, the history of Gion, the nuances of how Geisha walk, and all the details that make Kyoto so special. The group size is kept small so it feels nice and intimate and not like a herd of cattle parading through the tiny alleys. He knows the good detours to avoid the large crowds. He also points out all the best spots for photos. Honestly, the evening is the best time to see the city. Don’t be put off if it says it’s gonna rain - we were rained on a little but it added a cool moodiness to the whole tour. Thank you for such a great experience!

I thoroughly enjoyed my Geisha tour with Richard and our small intimate group. We were able to see and learn a lot about the “true” inner history & art of being a “Geisha”, Historic Kyoto, and Japanese culture. I totally recommend this tour for the history, culture, and experience, if when you travel to other countries you really want to learn, understand and experience the countries history, norms, and nuisances. Richard has put together a really quality, one of a kind walking tour. Looking forward to recommending to anyone I know headed to Kyoto and personally looking forward to my return. 🙌🏾 Thank You for an Experience I never will forget as I grew up reading and watching “Memoirs of a Geisha” Wishing You Continued Peace, Love, Abundance Prosperity and Light. 💛 Namaste

Richard’s tour was absolutely excellent! Very informative about geisha history in life and the Guyon area. He also provided excellent recommendations for other things in the area. His explanations and stories were easy to follow and very engaging. Highly recommend this tour!

Phenomenal experience! Couldn’t possibly be better! Richard is immensely knowledgeable about geisha as well as Japanese culture/history and he was gracious about answering questions. The tour is perfectly timed and locations clearly methodically planned. He is naturally bilingual so non-native English speakers will has no trouble understanding along the tour. Wandering the streets at night was magical. There were many tour highlights but the stop for a taste of mochi desserts was an unexpected joy. This tour was a highlight of our time in Kyoto.

Richard is an extremely knowledgeable and helpful guide. He took us through the Geisha district and covered other important shrines and temples in a night walk. Ended with a complementary matcha snack. It is 10 stars out of 5 trip

Nice to see on night on geisha history nice scenery and beautiful place.i really remote and enjoying in walking tours in night. Very guide guide and very interesting. He knowledgeable and very friendly

This is probably the best tour of the Kyoto Geisha Quarter. The guide is excellent and the group is small. You will walk the quarter and learn about the life of the geisha, her education and training, the hard work it takes to become a geisha. You will get a special look at that mystical neighborhood. We were lucky , the sky was clear and the moon was beautiful.

One of the best tours completed in Kyoto. Our guide Richard was amazing with all his knowledge about the area and showing us sights off the main streets.

Richard was a wonderful guide! I learned so much! It was a lot of walking but worth it. Unfortunately we didn't see any Geishas.

Our guide Robert was amazing - It has been the best tour guide thus far. His knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile was not taken for granted. Thank you Robert!

Richard was a great host and very knowledgeable. He made our experience very personal and was great with all our questions. Learned heaps about the Geisha culture. Definitely recommend.

This is an absolute gem of an experience and 6 star rating from our perspective. Richard is super knowledgable and structures the tour in a proffesional fashion so you go from Geisha specifics to Kyoto's and overall Japan history smoothly. Time flew really fast for us and even our teenage kids were not bored and this is a sign of a really interesting experince.

This Tour fulfilled all my expectations. The tour guide, Jasper, profound knowledge of the society and gives deep insights. I warmly recommend this tour.

Richard gave a very in depth explanation of the geisha tradition linking it back to the wives and concubines of the samurai. Very entertaining and he had an obvious affinity with the city and its history.