Transform into a Maiko or Samurai in Kiyomizu, Kyoto | A 2.5-Hour Studio Experience for the Whole Family

A Maiko & Samurai Transformation Experience at a Studio Near Kiyomizu

This is a transformation experience held at Studio Shiki in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, where you dress up in maiko or samurai-style costumes. Meet directly at the studio, and the experience is said to take about 2.5 hours.

The rating shown is 4.8 out of 5 (39 reviews). The experience is offered in English and Japanese, and can be enjoyed either in a group or privately.

What's Included for Women, Men, and Children

The plan contents differ depending on who is participating.

For women, the plan includes white-face makeup, kimono dressing, false eyelashes, and a wig. If you'd rather skip the white-face makeup, that's an option, and if you'd like false eyelashes, simply let the staff know. As for wigs, you can choose whether to wear a traditional wig or go without one. You can choose your favorite kimono from a selection of 200, and tabi socks are included for women as well.

For men, the plan includes kimono dressing. In the couple plan, tabi socks are also included for men.

The children's plan is designed for kids between 110cm and 145cm in height. For girls, the plan includes white-face makeup, kimono dressing, false eyelashes, and a wig, while for boys it includes kimono dressing.

Photos Against Tatami Rooms, Tea Rooms, Gardens, and Gold Screens

For the photo session, three photos are taken, including a group photo or individual portraits.

Available backdrops include a traditional tatami room, a tea room, a Japanese garden, and gold folding screens, allowing you to capture memorable photos in a quintessentially Kyoto atmosphere.

The three photos are placed in a 195mm x 195mm foldable photo mount. Digital data of all photos taken is also included.

Beyond the professional photo session, there's also a 10-minute window set aside for you to take your own free photos.

A Family Plan You Can Enjoy Together

For families, there's a family plan where women, men, and children can transform together and take photos as a group. Adults and children get dressed and made up at the same time, then take photos together.

The children's costume is available for kids between 110cm and 145cm in height. The plan for girls includes white-face makeup, kimono dressing, false eyelashes, and a wig, while for boys it includes kimono dressing.

You can also add more participants for an additional fee — extra women or girls, and extra men or boys — with one additional photo included per extra participant.

Since additional fees and participation conditions may change, please check the latest plan details at the time of booking.

A Couple Plan for Two

In the couple plan, women can enjoy transforming into a maiko look, combining white-face makeup, kimono dressing, false eyelashes, and a wig.

You can choose your favorite kimono from a selection of 200, and tabi socks are included as well. If you'd rather skip the white-face makeup, that's an option, and false eyelashes can be selected based on your preference. As for wigs, you can choose whether to wear a traditional wig or go without one.

For men, the plan includes kimono dressing, and in the couple plan, tabi socks are included for men as well.

The photo session includes three photos, whether a group shot or individual portraits, against backdrops such as a tatami room, tea room, Japanese garden, or gold folding screens.

A 195mm x 195mm foldable photo mount holding the three photos is included, along with digital data of all photos taken. There's also a 10-minute window set aside for taking your own free photos.

Combine It With Sightseeing Around Kiyomizu-dera

The studio is located in the Kiyomizu area, making it easy to pair with a stroll around Kiyomizu-dera Temple on the same day. That said, since the experience takes about 2.5 hours, it's a good idea to leave plenty of buffer time in your schedule before and after.

If you have any preferences regarding makeup or dressing, let the staff know on the day. It's a good idea to mention preferences about white-face makeup, false eyelashes, or wigs early on so things go smoothly.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Start time and availability on the day
• Meeting location
• Schedule flexibility before and after the roughly 2.5-hour experience
• Which plan to choose (maiko, men's, children's, couple, family, etc.)
• Height requirement for children (110cm–145cm)
• Whether to include white-face makeup
• Preference for false eyelashes
• Whether to include a wig
• Photo locations/backdrops (tatami room, tea room, Japanese garden, gold folding screens)
• How to receive the three-photo foldable mount and photo data
• Fees and conditions for adding participants to the family plan
• Languages supported
• Cancellation and change policies

Details and conditions may change depending on the season. Please check the booking page for the latest information.

Summary

The Kiyomizu Maiko & Samurai Transformation Experience is a roughly 2.5-hour program held at Studio Shiki in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. Beyond a maiko experience for women, men and children can also participate, making it possible for couples and families to enjoy quintessentially Kyoto memorial photos together.

Women can transform into a maiko look combining white-face makeup, a kimono chosen from 200 options, false eyelashes, and a wig. White-face makeup and false eyelashes can be skipped upon request, and you can also choose to go without a wig.

The children's plan is for kids between 110cm and 145cm in height, with girls enjoying a maiko look including white-face makeup and a wig, and boys enjoying kimono dressing.

The photo session includes three photos, whether group shots or individual portraits, against backdrops such as a tatami room, tea room, Japanese garden, or gold folding screens. A foldable photo mount (195mm x 195mm) for the three photos and digital data of all photos taken are included. A 10-minute window for taking your own free photos is also provided.

This experience is recommended for couples and families who want to transform into classic Kyoto attire and preserve their travel memories in photos. For detailed pricing, current availability, and the latest plan details, please check the booking page.