Photos: 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Accoseki · CC0 · HAGAT hOMSZE · CC0 (3, 4, 5)
Kyoto's five hanamachi each stage a public dance season: Miyako Odori (Gion Kōbu, April) and Kamogawa Odori (Pontochō, May) both date from 1872; Kitano Odori (Kamishichiken, March to April), Kyō Odori (Miyagawa-chō, spring) and Gion Odori (Gion Higashi, November) complete the set.
Why it's unique
Only Kyoto has five geisha districts staging public dances on this scale, two of them running since 1872. The city lists the dances among its annual customs.
These are the occasions when anyone can buy a ticket to watch geiko and maiko perform, and with the tea-ceremony ticket be served tea by them before the show.
Before you go
Take the tea-ceremony ticket: a geiko performs the tea before the show, maiko carry the bowls, and you keep the sweets plate (¥7,000 for Miyako Odori 2026 with a Toraya sweet). No photos in the tea room.
The autumn Gion Odori is the one visitors miss: 1 to 10 November 2026, 13:30 and 16:00, same-day tickets at the Gion Kaikan box office 11:00 to 16:00; ¥6,000 viewing or ¥7,000 with tea, online sales close 28 October. Read the programme before the show; about an hour, eight scenes. Under-3s not admitted. The Miyako Odori 2027 overview was posted on 1 October 2026.
