From Machiya Inns & Hotels and Kyoto VIP Experience
Bespoke tours with access to authentic cultural experiences!
We are happy to offer an exclusive tour of Kyoto through a partnership between Machiya Inns & Hotels and the Kyoto VIP Experience.
Explore Kyoto on a private and fully customized day of discovery, with countless options, to make for a day you'll remember for years to come.
This is not just a day of sightseeing but a chance to really dive in and partake in activities giving you a cultural immersion into the unique traditional arts and culture of Japan. We can start by taking you to see some of the highlights of the city and with our insider knowledge we know the best way to get around town and the ideal times to visit each place. For those who wish to get off the beaten path we can also take you to discover the lesser known but equally beautiful hidden gems. After we learn about what makes you tick as a traveller, we can plan out a course of action with the balance that suits you best.
One thing we offer that other tours don't always have is a choice from a wealth of VIP extras to add some fun and cultural appreciation to the day with everything from calligraphy classes to kimono dress up photo shoots. We also have local connections with artists who can give you a look behind the scenes and a deeper appreciation of local craftsmanship. And for those looking for a more spiritual experience, we can arrange private sessions with monks for tours of sacred sites or even meditation practice.
Once you have booked, we get started by having you fill in a little questionnaire so we get a better sense of the type of traveller you are. Then we will get started on the perfect plan of action for your special day in Kyoto. Let us create a handcrafted bespoke experience for you and yours to truly get the most out of your precious time in this beautiful city we call home and discover Kyoto with the VIP Experience.
Kyoto VIP Experience day course
VIP Extras:
Explore Kyoto on a private and fully customized day of discovery, with countless options, to make for a day you'll remember for years to come.
This is not just a day of sightseeing but a chance to really dive in and partake in activities giving you a cultural immersion into the unique traditional arts and culture of Japan. We can start by taking you to see some of the highlights of the city and with our insider knowledge we know the best way to get around town and the ideal times to visit each place. For those who wish to get off the beaten path we can also take you to discover the lesser known but equally beautiful hidden gems. After we learn about what makes you tick as a traveller, we can plan out a course of action with the balance that suits you best.
One thing we offer that other tours don't always have is a choice from a wealth of VIP extras to add some fun and cultural appreciation to the day with everything from calligraphy classes to kimono dress up photo shoots. We also have local connections with artists who can give you a look behind the scenes and a deeper appreciation of local craftsmanship. And for those looking for a more spiritual experience, we can arrange private sessions with monks for tours of sacred sites or even meditation practice.
Once you have booked, we get started by having you fill in a little questionnaire so we get a better sense of the type of traveller you are. Then we will get started on the perfect plan of action for your special day in Kyoto. Let us create a handcrafted bespoke experience for you and yours to truly get the most out of your precious time in this beautiful city we call home and discover Kyoto with the VIP Experience.
Kyoto VIP Experience day course
- fully personalized plan for a full day to discover Kyoto
- insider knowledge on the best places that suit your travel personality
- in depth and entertaining explanations for each place we discover
- access to places and activities that can't be found in the guidebook
VIP Extras:
- discover the art of the tea ceremony
- enjoy a deep tissue shiatsu massage or spa treatment
- take a rickshaw ride through the hidden streets
- electric assist bicycle hire with option of hotel drop off & collection
- try your skills in a calligraphy class
- take part in meditation classes with a Zen monk
- enjoy getting dressed up and having a photo shoot at a kimono studio
The Geisha Experience at a members only tea house
Enter the hidden world of the Geisha. The world of the Geisha and the apprentices with full whitened faces called the Maiko are part of the living legacy of Kyoto's traditional arts. More than just a companion these girls are fully trained artists who possess skills of dance, music and of course conversation. Be dazzled by the beauty of their dress and appearance and enjoy not only the chance to converse with them about their daily life, but also pose for photos with them and even enjoy fun lighthearted drinking games together.
Geisha Introductions
The teahouse is a place that is not so easy to gain access to. Even the Japanese locals need an introduction and someone to vouch for them in order to be allowed to enter. We have over time built a special relationship with a couple of select tea houses over the years and finally are able to extend invitations to our select VIP guests.
The only other way to meet a Geisha or Maiko without an introduction is at large banquets or dinners with groups and in my mind it really takes away from what should be an intimate meeting for just you and those special to you. We offer only private meetings and can take your requests, whether you prefer to have just one geisha or maiko and enjoy a few drinks with them, or even a full performance of song and dance with several ladies in attendance.
Experience an Evening with Geisha
The usual course of events is that we start with a stroll through the geisha district while pointing out some of the beauty of the area and perhaps getting a glimpse of some of the girls off to their appointments.
We then make our way to the discreet teahouse and open the hidden door to the world of the geisha inside. This is a beautiful stylish bar with low light and comfortable seats. Be greeted and treated like royalty by the lovely kimono-clad waitresses while we wait for the door to open and the amazing Maiko and Geisha to arrive.
Once the girls arrive we can we can enjoy conversation and drinks or continue upstairs with a special private performance just for you depending on what was pre-decided. After our time at the tea house it's time to go back out into the Gion streets and once the door closes it is time to go for a nightcap at a quiet and classy bar and reflect on what a wonderful night we had.
An exclusive experience in the heart of Gion and a chance to meet a geisha or maiko. Let us open the door for you so you can have a night to remember for years to come.
The details:
The Geisha Experience with Kyoto VIP includes, hotel pick up, taxi shuttle, a 1.5hr walking tour and orientation of the Gion District, dinner arrangements, access to an exclusive members only tea house, a private audience with a geisha and/or maiko, a guide & interpreter with you all evening, taxi service back to your accommodations and a summary report of the evening sent by email within a few days of the tour. This is an authentic visit to a tea house and is exclusive to Kyoto VIP. Experience an evening at a tea house as the elite society of Kyoto has been doing for centuries. Take the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime experience with us by your side.
Optional VIP extras: luxury vehicle transfer, VIP drink options at the tea house (champagne, vintage wine, award winning whisky etc.), professional photography, additional geisha, dance performance and musical accompaniment by geisha
Non-inclusive: costs of your meal (allows a wealth of options), costs of your guide’s meal (if asking them to join you)
Geisha Introductions
The teahouse is a place that is not so easy to gain access to. Even the Japanese locals need an introduction and someone to vouch for them in order to be allowed to enter. We have over time built a special relationship with a couple of select tea houses over the years and finally are able to extend invitations to our select VIP guests.
The only other way to meet a Geisha or Maiko without an introduction is at large banquets or dinners with groups and in my mind it really takes away from what should be an intimate meeting for just you and those special to you. We offer only private meetings and can take your requests, whether you prefer to have just one geisha or maiko and enjoy a few drinks with them, or even a full performance of song and dance with several ladies in attendance.
Experience an Evening with Geisha
The usual course of events is that we start with a stroll through the geisha district while pointing out some of the beauty of the area and perhaps getting a glimpse of some of the girls off to their appointments.
We then make our way to the discreet teahouse and open the hidden door to the world of the geisha inside. This is a beautiful stylish bar with low light and comfortable seats. Be greeted and treated like royalty by the lovely kimono-clad waitresses while we wait for the door to open and the amazing Maiko and Geisha to arrive.
Once the girls arrive we can we can enjoy conversation and drinks or continue upstairs with a special private performance just for you depending on what was pre-decided. After our time at the tea house it's time to go back out into the Gion streets and once the door closes it is time to go for a nightcap at a quiet and classy bar and reflect on what a wonderful night we had.
An exclusive experience in the heart of Gion and a chance to meet a geisha or maiko. Let us open the door for you so you can have a night to remember for years to come.
The details:
The Geisha Experience with Kyoto VIP includes, hotel pick up, taxi shuttle, a 1.5hr walking tour and orientation of the Gion District, dinner arrangements, access to an exclusive members only tea house, a private audience with a geisha and/or maiko, a guide & interpreter with you all evening, taxi service back to your accommodations and a summary report of the evening sent by email within a few days of the tour. This is an authentic visit to a tea house and is exclusive to Kyoto VIP. Experience an evening at a tea house as the elite society of Kyoto has been doing for centuries. Take the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime experience with us by your side.
Optional VIP extras: luxury vehicle transfer, VIP drink options at the tea house (champagne, vintage wine, award winning whisky etc.), professional photography, additional geisha, dance performance and musical accompaniment by geisha
Non-inclusive: costs of your meal (allows a wealth of options), costs of your guide’s meal (if asking them to join you)