Kyoto Geisha Dances (Odori): A Season-by-Season Calendar

Last checked: October 2026. Each of Kyoto's five geisha districts (hanamachi) stages a major public dance, called an odori, once a year. Four take place in spring (Kitano Odori in late March, Miyako Odori and Kyo Odori in April, and Kamogawa Odori in May), and one, Gion Odori, takes place in early November. The odori are an easy way to enjoy performances by geiko (Kyoto's term for geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) on stage, and anyone can buy a ticket; no introduction is needed.

To learn about the districts behind the dances, read our guide to Kyoto's five geisha districts.

The Five Odori at a Glance

Dates and prices change every year. The table reflects what the official sites and the Kyoto City Tourism Association had published as of October 2026; always confirm on the official page before you plan around a date.

Gion Odori 2026: Dates, Tickets, and Tea

Gion Odori, staged by the geiko and maiko of Gion Higashi, is the only one of the five main dances held in autumn, usually on November 1–10.

How to get tickets

1. Online, until October 28: tickets are sold on the official Gion Odori ticket site. You receive a voucher number instead of a paper ticket.
2. At the theater box office: remaining tickets go on sale on October 30 at 11:00 am and are sold until November 10 at 4:00 pm.
3. Choose the tea option if you want it: the 7,000-yen ticket includes a tea ceremony.
4. Plan your arrival: doors open an hour before each performance. Check the official site for directions to the theater.

Spring Dances (March–May)

Kitano Odori (Kamishichiken)

Kamishichiken, beside Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, is often described as Kyoto's oldest geisha district, and its dance opens the spring season. In 2026 it ran from March 20 to April 2, with two performances a day (2:00 pm and 4:30 pm). Check the Kyoto City Tourism Association's spring dance page for 2027 dates.

Miyako Odori (Gion Kobu)

Miyako Odori runs for the whole of April at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, the district's own theater. The performance lasts about an hour and, as the official site puts it, runs "without a single curtain drop."

• 2027 dates: April 1 (Thu) – April 30 (Fri), 2027, with performances at 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm
• 2027 prices: First class with tea, 8,000 yen; first class, 7,000 yen; second class, 5,000 yen; second class (students), 3,000 yen. A program booklet is 1,000 yen.
• Tickets: On sale online and by phone from January 6, 2027, 10:00 am (Japan time).

Details are on the official Miyako Odori site (English).

Kyo Odori (Miyagawacho)

First staged in 1950, Miyagawacho's dance brings the district's geiko and maiko together on one stage. It is held in early to mid-April; in 2026 it ran April 4–19 (closed April 13), with shows at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, each about an hour long.

In 2026, every ticket included a tea ceremony before the show: first-floor seats were 7,000 yen and second-floor seats 6,000 yen. Children under 10 were not admitted. Online sales opened on February 25, 2026, so expect a similar window for 2027. See the official Kyo Odori site.

Kamogawa Odori (Pontocho)

Pontocho stages the last of the spring dances. In 2026, it ran May 5–22, with three performances a day (12:30 pm, 2:20 pm, and 4:10 pm), and seats ranged from about 4,000 to 7,000 yen. Pontocho publishes details on its English-language site.

Autumn: Gion Odori and the Fall Recitals

Gion Odori in early November is covered in detail at the top of this guide.

Smaller Autumn Recitals

The other districts hold autumn recitals (kai), among them Miyagawacho's Mizuekai, held each October since its revival in 2006. The Kyoto City Tourism Association lists these for 2026:

How to Get Tickets from Abroad

1. Watch the official site. Spring dates are usually published several months ahead; Miyako Odori's 2027 dates were already online by October 2026.
2. Note the sale date in Japan time. Miyako Odori opens on January 6; Kyo Odori opened in late February in 2026.
3. Buy online if you can. The English-language sites for Miyako Odori, Kyo Odori, and Kamogawa Odori walk you through online purchase.
4. Decide on tea. Some tickets add a bowl of matcha and a sweet, served before the show.

Which Dance Should You Choose?

• First trip to Kyoto, visiting in April: Miyako Odori, with a full month of shows, three a day, and an English-language site.
• Want tea included: Kyo Odori, where every 2026 ticket included tea.
• Traveling in late March: Kitano Odori, the first dance of the season.
• Traveling in May: Kamogawa Odori, the only spring dance held in May.
• Traveling in November: Gion Odori, which pairs well with Kyoto's fall foliage.

Outside the Odori Seasons

If your dates miss all five dances, you still have options. Gion Corner, in Gion Kobu, runs a roughly one-hour show of seven traditional arts (six in winter), including kyomai (the Kyoto-style dance performed by maiko), daily at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm (Tuesday–Friday only from December 1 to March 11). Our guides to where to see geisha in Kyoto and year-round geisha shows cover other ways to see geiko and maiko perform.

Good to Know Before the Show

• If you have a tea ticket, arrive early: tea is served before the performance.
• Check each theater's photography rules and follow staff instructions.
• You do not need to understand Japanese to enjoy the dances.

Frequently asked questions