Special Experience
Tokyo
Private Geisha Tea Time with Japanese Traditional Dance and Shamisen Performance in Tokyo
Overview
Arakicho in Yotsuya, Tokyo, is known for its history as a thriving geisha district. In this Wabunka exclusive experience, you will get to meet geisha in a private tatami room at Onnoza, a Japanese cultural salon in Arakicho. Geisha are talented women who entertain guests through singing, dancing, and musical performances at gatherings. While deeply rooted in Japan, their dwindling numbers make interactions increasingly rare and precious.
In this experience, you can enjoy an intimate, private, and luxurious geisha encounter, as if in her own home, and witness mesmerizing Japanese traditional dance and shamisen performances up close.
Key Features
・A Wabunka exclusive experience that allows you to book the tatami room at the Japanese cultural salon Onnoza for a close and personal interaction with geisha
・Savor Japanese tea, prepared by a geisha, along with traditional Japanese sweets, while engaging in conversations with geisha
・Add on a lesson on Japanese traditional dance or a performance on a traditional Japanese musical instrument. The choice is yours to make your visit truly special
Tokyo
from
¥213,000 /group
1 - 8 participants
90 min
Available in English
Cancel free up to 6 days before
Details
A Rare Geisha Experience in a Former Kagai District
Arakicho in Yotsuya, near Shinjuku, is a lively street lined with restaurants and eateries. Once a bustling kagai (geisha district) where numerous geisha used to thrive, this locale still retains the echoes of its historic charm. It is here that you can immerse yourself in a geisha experience that is exclusive to Wabunka. The setting for this special encounter is the Japanese cultural salon known as Onnoza, conveniently located within walking distance of Yotsuya-Sanchome, Akebonobashi, and Yotsuya stations.
The owner of Onnoza, Fumie Shiomi, is a geisha herself and will be your guide. For 15 years, she worked as a geisha in the vibrant district of Akasaka, Tokyo. Today, she leverages her experience to pass on traditional Japanese culture through her restaurant.
Enjoy a Relaxed Chat with Geisha over Japanese Tea
Your geisha experience unfolds within the restaurant's zashiki, a room with tatami mats for entertaining guests. Once seated as directed by your guide, take a moment to appreciate the elegance of this traditional Japanese setting. For groups of eight or more, there is also an option to host the event at Tsunokami, the sister establishment of Onnoza, which features a tatami room live house.
Begin your experience with a relaxed tea time, where you can savor tea and sweets while engaging in pleasant conversation with geisha. You have the choice of matcha or sencha (a Japanese tea variety prepared by steaming tea leaves), and the geisha prepares the tea in front of you, allowing you to admire their grace. Complementing your tea, you will be served nerikiri, a sweet that reflects the beauty of Japanese seasons.
From here on, you can enjoy a pleasant chat while sipping tea brewed by the geisha. Accompanying you are Fumie and Yoshiko, the latter an experienced senior geisha. Yoshiko has been a geisha in Akasaka, Tokyo, since her late teens, making her a seasoned expert in the geisha world. Feel free to ask her about her profession, artistic skills, or even her everyday life, as if you were chatting with a close friend.
Immerse in a Refined, Traditional Art Form Up Close
Next, you will be treated to captivating Japanese traditional dance and shamisen performances delivered by Fumie and Yoshiko. Fumie takes on the role of the tachikata (dancer), while Yoshiko assumes the role of the jikata (performer). Being able to witness these two performers at such an intimate distance is an exclusive privilege reserved for just one group at a time, providing a truly luxurious and precious experience.
Japanese traditional dance conveys the music's emotions through intricate hand and finger movements, neck and shoulder expressions, as well as the use of gaze and small props like fans to depict diverse scenes. The accompanying shamisen music adds a deeply emotional layer. Fumie's graceful dance and Yoshiko's captivating sound create a harmonious and spellbinding performance that will captivate you.
Tailored Experience for Exclusive Reservations
The rest of the experience can be customized to your preferences, whether you would like to try your hand at learning Japanese traditional dance, playing a traditional musical instrument, mastering fan handling, or simply enjoying some fun ozashiki games.
We highly recommend opting for a personalized experience of learning Japanese traditional dance and musical instruments from Fumie and Yoshiko. This unique opportunity is sure to create unforgettable memories for you and your group.
You are welcome to take photos or record videos throughout the experience. Do not miss the chance to capture the beauty of the unique and exquisite kimonos and hairstyles, which are only visible up close during your time with the geisha.
Experience the Spirit of Japanese Hospitality through a Geisha Encounter
Geisha are highly skilled in the art of customer service and hospitality. Throughout the experience, you will sense their meticulous attention to detail, care, and genuine concern, qualities that are uniquely offered by geisha. One of the best aspects of this experience is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the enduring spirit of Japanese hospitality through your interaction with the geisha.
Onnoza
Onnoza
This versatile tatami room is a cafe by day and a bar by night, serves as a venue for Japanese cultural classes and events, and provides Japanese-style room rentals. The owner is Fumie Shiomi, who is also known as geisha Fumika of Akasaka. In the same Arakicho area, she also owns Tsunokami Ozashiki Live House, a performance arts rental space.
Location
Onnoza
Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Request for booking
* Required
November 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
17
Available
17
Full
17
No Events
If your first choice is not available, we will confirm your booking based on your other preferred dates and times.
Additional Options
If you would like to have your photo taken by a professional, please select the option below.
Commemorative photo / group
JPY 28,600
0
Experience fee
Group fee (1 participants)
JPY 213,000
Price may change after date is selected.
Additional options fee
Interpretation in English
JPY 0
Other
Service fee (5%)
JPY 10,650
Total Price
JPY 223,650
tax & service fee incl.
Extra charges may apply for the following
- ・Interpretation / Dependant on experience schedule and language
- ・Optional add-ons / Souvenirs, delivery, etc.
Tokyo
from
¥213,000 /group
1 - 8 participants
90 min
Available in English
Cancel free up to 6 days before
Things to know
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact us using the form below.
We also accept bookings from corporate clients and travel agencies.