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Geisha Walking Lecture
Please Note:
The walking lecture is now only held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.Geisha Culture and Photography Hints
Time: 4:30-6:00 PM
Dates: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Meet in front of the Minamiza Kabuki Theater (map).
Peter MacIntosh is a professional photographer and world-leading expert on geisha culture. His photographs of geisha have been exhibited around the world and will soon be released world-wide in his first book entitled "Geisha: Through Blue Eyes" (to be released this Autumn). Also, his photographs have been used by the Japan National Tourist Association for their international promotion of Japan. He has also lectured in many countries about geisha culture, and is the first non-Japanese to take geisha abroad without the use of a native Japanese intermediary. In order to share his knowledge and explain his photos to his customers, Peter will take them on a walk through his neighbourhood (an active geisha district), while giving them advice on how to take photographs of this world. The walking lecture will last approximately 90 minutes and will take you through streets lined with old wooden houses and hidden alleyways in Kyoto’s world-renowned geisha districts as the geiko/maiko make their way to their evening’s engagements. While answering your questions, Peter will give you an insider's view into the past, present and future of this unique and exotic world.
**Please note that Peter is not a licensed tour guide. This is a walking lecture for people interested in his photography of geisha and taking pictures themselves.**
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You will see geisha schools, ochaya, okiya and traditional artisan’s shops. There are some great photo opportunities, so don't forget your camera. Price: 3,000 yen per person. Included in this fee is a set of postcards, a maiko's name sticker, the walking lecture and a chance to ask Peter questions about photography and geisha culture.
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Children under the age of 6 need not buy postcards to participate.
Reservations required.
Important: In the event of rain after 2-3pm, the walk will be called off and re-scheduled for the next day. In our past experience, nobody enjoys getting wet and photo oppurtunities are limited, so please call or send an email to re-schedule.
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What to Expect When Walking Through the Geisha Districts With Peter
You will see beautiful alleyways and architecture, the geisha schools, ochaya (tea houses), and okiya (boarding houses). We worked with the Memoirs of a Geisha production crew during location scouting. Along the way you will see exactly what they saw, and you will learn more in the 90 minutes about geisha than even most Japanese people know. Peter MacIntosh is a world renowned foreign expert on geisha. We will tell you about the history and culture of geisha, as well as his personal experiences about geisha in general. Please feel free to ask many questions on the walk.
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How to Reserve a Spot for the Walking Lecture
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2. Send an email reservation with your name, number of persons, and request date. (top) Guidelines and Requirements for Walking Lecture
They are usually fine with pictures while they are walking by. However, if they look like they don't want their photo taken, please don't. I know most of the women in the districts and if they have time they will probably stop for a very quick photo. Always remember that we are walking down streets. Therefore bicycles and scooters and sometimes even cars will be passing. There is a minimum of 2 people for the lecture to take place, but no maximum. However, in busy season, such as April, there can sometimes be over 20 people. In this case you might want to come back another day if you feel the lecture would not be personal enough. (top) Walking Lecture Q&A
A: Licensed tour guides are for the most part, not native English speakers. To be a licensed "Bilingual Tour Guide" they have to take a very difficult test which only about 10% of takers pass. This test is about Japanese language, geography and history. They have answer questions about all 47 prefectures of Japan, be able to recite facts such as the heights of various temples, be able to read difficult kanji (Chinese Characters), as well as answer questions on general knowledge. They are also tested on their ability to translate from a foreign language to Japanese and vice-versa. Q: Will I see a geisha? What's the best time of year?
A: You will almost definitly see a geisha, as they work every day. Times you might not see one (or so many) include: (top) Map of Minamiza Kabuki Theater
Important: Even though we meet in front of the Minamiza theater, they are not responsible for contacting me. If there is a problem, or you are worried that you are not in the right place, please use the pay phone to the right of the theater near the vending machines. You will be calling my cell phone so a 10 yen coin will not provide sufficient time to have a conversation. 100 yen should suffice. (top)
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1. Peter is available to do a walking lecture only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. (In the event of rain it will be held the next day but you need to contact us to reschedule your booking).
Photos are fine. There is some beautiful architecture and charming narrow streets along the way. If we are lucky enough to see a 
Q. What is the difference between taking a tour with a Licensed Japanese tour guide and taking Peter's MacIntosh's walking lecture?