How to Hire Geisha in Japan

Hiring geisha in Japan is often believed to be virtually impossible for an outsider to their world, especially a foreigner, to pull off...but not always. These artisans work hard to make a party a success and want to be sure that their efforts to entertain are appreciated. If you are ready for an unforgettable glimpse into Japanese culture, here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Hire a geisha through your hotel if you are staying at an upscale establishment. This will be easiest to do in Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital, or in Tokyo. Most of the hotels have connections in the geisha community and can arrange the whole evening for you.
2. Ask if a teahouse that has hired geisha in the past would be willing to host your evening. The teahouse mistress is usually the one who will call the okasan (head of the geisha house) or central office for geisha affairs on your behalf to set up the event.
3. Reserve a space on a geisha tour. A company called Kyoto Sights and Nights will arrange a tour of the geisha districts that ends with dinner and drinks with a geisha and maiko. They will also customize trips for you if you prefer to spend more time with them.
4. Strike up a friendship with a person who has already hired geisha and see if they are willing to introduce you around. Promise them that you will be on your best behavior, since their reputation in the geisha world will be damaged if you act like an idiot or are rude to the geisha.
5. Call the okasan of a geisha house directly. This can be very tricky for an outsider to the geisha world to pull off correctly and is generally not recommended. Do not be surprised if you are rejected or are questioned as to your honorability. The geisha must trust you not to embarrass them or yourself with boorish behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• A geisha will not eat or drink with you, but she will keep the party going by telling entertaining stories, dancing, singing, playing music, keeping the sake cups full and making sure that the conversation flows smoothly. She will do everything possible to make sure all the guests at the event feel welcome and content.
• Hiring geisha for your own private event is not cheap, but then again, nothing is in Japan. Expect to pay several hundred dollars per hour for their services.
• You will be billed by the local central office for geisha affairs, so do not attempt to pay the geisha afterward for the night's entertainment. Don't forget to tip!
• Geisha are not prostitutes, as is sometimes believed in the United States. She will be highly offended if you think that she is a prostitute. You are strictly paying the geisha for her time and her entertainment, not for anything else.