Geisha Archives - wheresshelly

1 Jul 201920 Jan 2020

Where To See Geishas in Kyoto

There’s just something magical about seeing a flurry of vivid, silk kimonos breezing through the streets of Gion in Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto.
The click-clack of wooden geta (sandals) on cobblestones and the tinkling bells from kanzashi (hair decorations) accompany the young women, the geishas of Kyoto, that are carrying on one of Japan’s most celebrated traditions.

In this article I’ll give all the tips on the best places to see geishas, including when, where and how to see them, along with a few etiquette rules regarding the geishas in Kyoto.

27 Mar 201610 Jan 2020

Best Places to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan

There are many icons of Japan; sumo’s, sushi, weird sex robots, but my favourite would have to be cherry blossoms. Sakura (🇯🇵 桜, 🇨🇳 樱花), as they’re known in Japan, bloom once a year all over the country. The Japanese go mad for it! There are festivals, decorations, sakura-themed food and everyone flocks to their nearest park to sit under the trees to admire the blossoms. There will be lots of food and sake as they enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

27 Jun 201121 Jul 2019

Kimonos in Kyoto

A brief glance through the car window, but I saw her, glistening black hair meticulously styled, a pale white oval face of porcelain skin with a hint of pink on the cheeks, eyes lined with black kohl framed by eyebrows shaped into perfect crescent moons and her lips, small, dainty and painted red.
She was sitting in the back of a black taxi cocooned in luxurious and very expensive hand-woven silk. For the briefest moment I saw a creature of fantasy, a woman of the night paid for her company, often the centre of attention in a group of Japan’s most powerful and wealthy business men.
Her night had just begun but she would be profit many times into the early morning for her services, entertaining clients with the skills she has perfected and been trained for.