Maiko Transformation Studio Shiki Honten

I found this recommendation on trip advisor then in Unilocal.I must say, it’s an awesome experience. I went to the head shop branch because they had the deal. Be cautions, there’s a basic fee but then once you are in, every detail is a price. If you get the book, which I recommend, you won’t get the 6 photos. Additional settings besides the studio poses have additional price. The workflow process is efficient and timely! No photoshop pictures on album. My party included 3 adults (2 women and 1 man) and one 7 yo boy. Total came out 60,000 yen. I waited about 45 mins for all photos to be completed. Whole process was about 5 hours because of my party but they said one person should be 3 hours. Makeup washed off with baby oil and they provided cleanser and shampoo. No shower. It’s near Gino district and look up their website to get there. Staff was professional and can speak some English. No cell photos inside but can bring it with you until the end session free time. The make up brushes and pads are not sanitized and use on everyone. :(.
Full wig in free but doesn’t natural enough. Half wig has a fee. Overall, I think it’s worth one time experience.

I think I was quite unprepared for this experience. As someone who’s «experiences» generally come from food ;P I was pleasantly surprised at the maiko (apprentice geisha) transformation. After much prodding from my mother, and seeing my friends do it, I finally decided to try it. The amount of detail and preparation and dressing is immense and I’m so mindblown that some people do this every day.
The reception was super nice, and trilingual (cool!). They spoke Japanese, Chinese, and English. The makeup (like paint), hair, and kimono took roughly an hour. The makeup was really unique because they first put some kind of wax on my face– I’m assuming to smooth everything out and minimize pores.
As for the hair, you have two options– with the studio plan came the «full wig», and this is just a wig that goes over your normal hair. However, the receptionist recommended the half wig, where they take sections of your natural hair and comb it over the wig, hiding the seam of the wig. I figured since I’m spending the money, might as well go all in and went with the half wig. I was really happy with the results.
The kimono was really the coolest part. I’d heard from everyone that there’s a lot of fabric, and it’s really no exaggeration. There’s a lot of padding to create a cylinder shape so the kimono lies perfectly. And it’s tight. I’m glad I came in the morning after only a light breakfast.
After make up, hair, and dress, you are led to the photographer. They’re very professional, and it’s fun. They give very specific directions– tilt your head a tinnnny bit to the right, how to hold your hands over a fan, etc. It was like a fun game of Simon Says.
Afterwards, I got to go outside for 10 minutes for pictures taking time with friends. :) Don’t forget to bring a friend! Since the area is a backstreet, there’s not too much traffic, but some tourists definitely stopped to stare, haha. After self-​picture time, you are sent back inside for the reverse process– they will help you undress, and take off the wig. Then you go upstairs to take the makeup off yourself.
There are helpful pictures and instructions in the dressing room to assist you to remove makeup as effectively as possible. You rub copious amounts of baby oil to loosen the makeup, and only after you get most of the makeup off should you use water. Without baby oil, water is useless. I had a ton of fun and would recommend it to anyone who wants something to remember Kyoto by.

My maiko transformation was truly one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. If you’re considering it for yourself — stop dithering and make an appointment!
When my colleague mentioned that Kyoto had places where you could dress up like a maiko (an apprentice geiko) I expressed interest without giving a terrible amount of thought to what such an experience would entail. When we arrived I quickly realized that this was quite an involved process: being painted white down to your shoulders, traditional makeup application, a heavy wig laid atop your head and finally, being cinched into a beautiful kimono.
Word to the wise: Don’t eat a cheeseburger and then come for your maiko transformation. Maybe Kim Kardashian could handle the tight fit of the kimono undergarments with her waist training experience but I felt like I was wilting. (Sips of air, that’s about all I could take with this tight thing on!)
On the bright side, it forces you to have perfect posture!
After your transformation is complete you will be lead to the photographer. The studio is very professional and they’ll offer you all sorts of options for poses and props. Just pick the ones you like best — all are awesome.
If the weather’s nice, be sure to take the opportunity to go outside. You will be gawked at by tourists but given the amount of work that’s gone into your transformation, you might as well share it with the world, right?
When you are ready to wash it all off make sure to start with the baby oil, don’t go in for the water (a very kind woman warned me when I turned on the water and leaned it to splash myself).
There are all sorts of add ons that feel like upsells (CDs, half wig, book, etc) but trust me on this: get the book. This is truly a transformation and looking at the book of photos shows that in a way that’s quite a treasure.