As of: March 13, 2024, 4:49 a.m
By: Franziska Kaindl
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The geisha districts in the Japanese city of Kyoto are a popular tourist magnet.
Unfortunately, holidaymakers often don't know how to behave - which is why they are now threatened with fines.
The ancient imperial city of Kyoto is for many the center of Japanese culture: full of Buddhist temples, historic palaces and charming gardens that are particularly popular during the cherry blossom season in spring, it attracted more than 22 million tourists last year.
The city's oldest districts, Gion and Higashiyama, are also important attractions for travelers from all over the world because of their original buildings - but not only because of that.
The districts are known as geisha districts; between the narrow streets, holidaymakers often catch a glimpse of the elaborately made-up faces and magnificent robes of the Japanese entertainers.
Apparently not all tourists know how to behave - because the city is forced to ban them from entering in the future.
Tourists should stay away from private streets in geisha districts
The Gion district in Kyoto is known for its geishas.
© Lucas Vallecillos/Imago
"We will ask tourists in April or thereafter to stay away from narrow private streets," Isokazu Ota of the city council told AFP on Thursday, referring to the geisha district of Gion.
“We don't want to do this, but we don't know what to do next.” Kyoto is thus following the instructions of the district council, which had asked the city to take care of the problem in December.
The district is “not an amusement park”.
A member of the district council described to the Japanese media how someone threw a cigarette butt into a geisha's neckline.
A “maiko”, as the geisha trainees are called, was also pulled on the kimono.
The residents have also often complained about the disrespectful behavior in the past.
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Fines for tourists in geisha districts
According to the city council, tourists would behave “like paparazzi” if a geisha appeared in the alleys, some of which are only one to two meters wide.
For this reason, there has been a ban on taking photos on private streets since 2019 - this is indicated by signs.
The entry ban should now also be enforced with signs.
Anyone who ignores this must pay a fine of 10,000 yen (around 62 euros).
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The profession of geisha has existed since the mid-18th century.
The entertainers undergo rigorous training in traditional Japanese dance, music and singing and enjoy a high reputation.
However, the rumor persists - especially in the Western world - that geishas are love servants.