about miyako odori
Welcome to the 141th Presentation of the MIYAKO ODORI- Our traditional Spring Dance Festival in the heart of Kyoto’s historic entertainment district, Gion.
Beginning in 1872 the Kaburenjo Theater has been the setting for this vibrant cultural gem and this year our proud legacy will continue to captivate audiences from Japan and around the world.
We hope you can visit and enjoy the unique brilliance of this timeless diamond set amidst the jewels of Kyoto, ” The Ancient Capital”!
ticket information
The MIYAKO ODORI is held April 1st - 30th. There are four performances daily- (12:30,14:00,15:30 and 16:50) 60 mins.
We offer 3 Ticket Packages.
1) Our Special Class Ticket (includes Tea Service and complimentary gift) - 4500yen
2) Our 1st Class Ticket- 4000yen
3) Our 2nd Class Ticket- 2000yen
special class
We accept reservations via telephone/fax and all seats are Premium reserved. We ask that you arrive 50 mins. prior to Showtime so that you may leisurely view our splendid garden, enjoy traditional Japanese Tea Service, taste our Manju (Japanese cake) and receive a complimentary gift.
first class
We accept reservations via telephone/fax. This package has both Western style seating and Tatami space and offers a fine view of the stage.
second class
The majority of these tickets are available via telephone/fax reservation but We retain a small percentage for daily sale at our Ticket Office. Please be advised that this package is a consistently popular option that sells out quickly.
other reservation information
All of our Ticket Packages are available for walk-up sale at our Ticket Office but phone/fax reservation is highly recommended. Unfortunately Our Theater does not accept credit card or online reservations at this time but we do remind you that most major Kyoto hotels will be happy to make ticket reservations as well as provide all arrangements for you during your stay, so when making your hotel reservations please remember- Simply inquire about the "Miyako Odori"!Thank you!
getting here
Via Taxi- Kyoto offers World Class Taxi Service that is convenient, clean, courteous, efficient and economical and Our Theater recommends this choice.
Via train- The SHIJO St. (KEIHAN line) and KAWARAMACHI St. (Hankyu line) are both an easy 10-15 min. walk to our doors.
Via Bus- From Kyoto Station take the 206 bus at D2 to the GION bus stop. Also the 12, 5, 46, 57, 100, 201,202 and 203 routes all make stops at GION, with a 10min. walk to our doors.
address
Gion Shinchi Kobu Kabukai
Miyako-odori
570-2 Gionmachiminamigawa Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074
Japan
Tel 81-75-541-3391
Fax 81-75-525-3105
maps
history
In 1871 Kyoto Governor Nobuatsu Nagatani and Vice Governor Masanao Makimura, in a direct response to the Meiji Restoration (1862-69) and the official shift of the Court of Emperor Meiji from Kyoto to Edo (now Tokyo), planned Japan’s first Exposition in Kyoto (no longer the “Imperial City”) to counter the perceived loss of status as well as to showcase the Art, Culture and Industry still alive and thriving in the City.
Subsequently, Jirouemon Sugiura, Gions’ Representative and owner of “Mantei” (still in existence today as “Ichiriki”, then and now a popular “Private” House for Kyoto’s Geiko and Maiko performances) received a request from the Prefectural Government to stage the 1st “Public” Dance performance by the nationally famous Geiko and Maiko.
In collaboration with Yachiyo Inouye the III (the Master of the Kyomai Dance School), Mr. Sugiura conceived a tightly choreographed and highly stylized group performance of the “Kamenoko Odori” dance from Ise Furuichi.
In March of 1872 the “Miyako Odori Junicho”, proposed by Vice Governor Makimura as an extension of the “Kamenoko Odori”, was performed for the first time with a full chorus and traditional Japanese Orchestra in a grand, classically beautiful house named “Matsunoya” located in Gion.
This Performance (affectionately referred to as the “Gion Kobu Dance”) was the prototype of the “Miyako Odori” that continues to the present day.
Immediately following the triumph of the “Matsunoya” performance all parties involved swore an oath declaring that the “Gion Kobu Dance” must remain the exclusive domain of Inoue the III’s Kyomai School and this solemn promise is honored to this day.
In April of 1873 the “Miyako Odori” moved permanently to the more spacious confines of our Kaburenjo Theater.
The originality, authenticity, beauty, quality and dignity of the “Miyako Odori” is now entrusted to the current Master of Kyomai Dance, Yachiyo Inouye the V and takes place each Spring in our Kaburenjo Theater.