Hello from Kyoto! This is Kenji from THE MACHIYA EBISUYA Hotel team. If you are visiting Kyoto in May, the Kamogawa Odori is one event we always make a point of telling our guests about. It is a traditional dance performance held in the heart of the Pontocho district, just along the Kamogawa River.
What Is the Kamogawa Odori?
Kyoto has five traditional geiko districts, known as hanamachi (花街), with the most well-known being Gion. Another famous hanamachi is Pontocho (先斗町), a narrow lantern-lit alley running between the Kamo River and Kawaramachi Street. We think it is one of the most atmospheric corners of the city and well worth a visit whenever you are in Kyoto. You will find long-established restaurants and bars alongside the event space where the Kamogawa Odori is held each year.
What Is a Geiko? What is a Maiko?
Geiko is the Kyoto term for what is commonly referred to as a geisha. While the word “geisha” is more widely recognized internationally, in Kyoto, “geiko” is the correct and preferred term. A geiko is a professional entertainer who has completed her apprenticeship and mastered the traditional performing arts.
A maiko, on the other hand, is a woman (usually between the ages of 15 and 20) in the apprenticeship period of training to become a geiko. During this time, she studies traditional Japanese singing, dance, shamisen, and the art of hospitality.
Every May, Pontocho holds its annual event:
the Kamogawa Odori (鴨川をどり).
This performance has been running since 1872, which means over 150 years of tradition. It is one of the few occasions where the general public can watch geiko and maiko perform on stage in a theater setting. These are artists who dedicate years to refining their craft in singing, dance, and shamisen. If you are fortunate enough to be in Kyoto during this time, it is an experience well worth making time for.
As performances tend to fill up quickly, particularly on weekends, we recommend booking ahead.
2026 Performance Details
| Dates | May 5 (Tuesday/National Holiday) – May 22 (Friday) |
| Show times | 12:30 / 14:20 / 16:10 (3 performances daily) |
| Venue | Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater (先斗町歌舞練場) |
Getting There from THE MACHIYA EBISUYA Hotel
– By subway: Take the Karasuma Line from Shijo Station to Karasuma-Oike, transfer to the Tozai Line, and alight at Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae. The theater is approximately a 5-minute walk from there.
– On foot: From THE MACHIYA EBISUYA Hotel, the walk takes around 15–20 minutes. Head towards the downtown Kawaramachi area and along the Kamo River. It is a particularly pleasant route in May.
A Note from Our Staff
The Pontocho area is widely regarded as one of Kyoto’s finest dining streets, with restaurants ranging from casual to long-established restaurants, with many offering terrace seating overlooking the Kamogawa river during the warmer months. Combining a performance with dinner in the area makes for a genuinely memorable evening.
If you’d like additional information or details, please feel free to ask our guest services team before or during your stay with us in Kyoto.