Don't Do This in Kyoto, Japan #Shorts

▼Learn more about this topic▼
-What are 4 others things you shouldn't do in Kyoto?
-How does an actual Maiko experience like?

▼Where You Can Meet Maiko in Kyoto▼

Maiko Paparazzi refers to a social problem that happens in Kyoto, where tourists take pictures of maiko walking the streets without permission, or in the worst cases touch their hair and kimono.

When maiko/geiko are wearing their white makeup and gorgeous kimono and walking outside, it means they are off to work and in most cases they are on a very tight schedule. Stopping them will affect not just the maiko’s job but also the clients that are waiting for them who have properly paid them money.

Although the sound of maiko walking down the streets with their special Zori shoes with small bells in them was a symbol of Kyoto, many of them started using taxis to move around and we hardly see them anymore.

I completely understand that many people have dreams of meeting a maiko in Kyoto, and seeing them on the streets is a very exciting moment.

However If you really want to talk or take photos with a maiko, please reserve a cultural or dinner party where you can meet them. I have my recommendations of such places in the description box, so I hope you can check that out.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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▼Related videos in this channel▼
-The Surprising PRICE and Where to Meet Maiko in Kyoto Today
-The Surprising Differences Between Geisha, Geiko, and Maiko
-Stroll Through the Heart of Kyoto Wearing Your Favorite KIMONO and Get Dressed by Professionals

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#maikogeiko #maikopaparazzi #thingstodoinkyoto

[LetsaskShogo]

▼Learn more about this topic▼
-What are 4 others things you shouldn't do in Kyoto?
-How does an actual Maiko experience like?

▼Where You Can Meet Maiko in Kyoto▼

Maiko Paparazzi refers to a social problem that happens in Kyoto, where tourists take pictures of maiko walking the streets without permission, or in the worst cases touch their hair and kimono.

When maiko/geiko are wearing their white makeup and gorgeous kimono and walking outside, it means they are off to work and in most cases they are on a very tight schedule. Stopping them will affect not just the maiko’s job but also the clients that are waiting for them who have properly paid them money.

Although the sound of maiko walking down the streets with their special Zori shoes with small bells in them was a symbol of Kyoto, many of them started using taxis to move around and we hardly see them anymore.

I completely understand that many people have dreams of meeting a maiko in Kyoto, and seeing them on the streets is a very exciting moment.

However If you really want to talk or take photos with a maiko, please reserve a cultural or dinner party where you can meet them. I have my recommendations of such places in the description box, so I hope you can check that out.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

[HenriqueGuerraOficial]

We live in a world where you must say "hey, don't touch random people's hair, okay?"

[solarestone]

Regardless of where you are, don't touch people without permission.

[okamimcegg]

People treating them like characters at Disney Land, smh.

[martinhanke]

Every traveler has a responsibility to learn local customs, and respect their traditions and customs.

[shadowdancer]

They are professional artists. People should pay for their services accordingly. It saddens me that people would be so rude but it doesn’t surprise me.

[axuwu]

Why do people seem to forget that anyone in an outfit is a human being under the beautiful clothes… like, there’s this, but there’s also the problems with cosplayers getting touched by strangers, (and I had another example but I forgot what it was, oops). Don’t touch people! Respect them! No matter what they’re wearing! Why is this so hard for some people to understand?

[eliseella]

Just because they're gorgeous and famous, some people think they can just do whatever they want with them 💀

[qmjw]

When I was in Kyoto, a foreign tourist group approached a maiko and kept taking pictures of her, blocking her way, and the maiko was quite annoyed. So this seemed like a pretty serious problem.

P.S. She was probably still in her teens or so. Imagine how traumatic it must be for a teenage girl to have dozens of adults chasing her all the time and taking pictures of her.

[oshel]

I know this probably isn't very important to most but thank you so much for the effort you put into your subtitles Shogo. They make it some much easier listen and understand what your saying in loud areas without headphones, and for me personally reading what you're saying as you say it helps me better comprehend and remember the information. You always take the time to make them aesthetically pleasing and to make them stand out against the background and photos you use. I really appreciate that touch so thankyou and I hope they remain a feature on all your shorts in the future.

[kenzieblossom]

So much respect for these talented women who train there whole lives for what they do. I feel if you meet a Maiko/Geiko out in the streets you should respectfully leave them be. There are times and places to meet them. Do not touch their hair and kimono like they are play things to facinate over as they are people too and you should respect them as such.

[Btchface]

It will forever confuse me wherever I am the people that think it's ok to just touch strangers. They're the same ppl that would be very upset if a stranger came up and touched them.

[Snooty-Pookie]

I feel that the allure and mystery that maiko have adds to the desperation of those in search of them. They are seen almost like an otherworldly being instead of being what they actually are; little teenaged girls doing their job to join business companies together.

[JasonB]

I went to Kyoto in 2018 and I didn’t see to many Maiko walking around. It’s not just western tourist that do this, which is the usual stereotype. Tourists from other Asian countries do this too. I remember going to the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) and it had tourists but it wasn’t so busy which was nice. But as my brother were walking around and taking photos, a fleet of tour buses showed up with a swarm of Asian tourists, the temple grounds got crowed very quickly. The temple grounds is supposed to be a calm quiet and tranquil place. Japanese tour companies didn’t care they want to make the most money they can and the the tourist want to save as much money they can so going in very large groups reduces costs. However it ruins the experience for other tourists and locals. I think tourists are led to believe they are in Disneyland thus act in such ways.

[rubiitoxic]

Dude, thank you, people need to understand that countries have significant social differences and they must be recognized, it's just decency.

[OllamhDrab]

Heh. I suppose maybe there's some cultural misunderstandings about the fact that maiko aren't just 'local color' when dressed like that, they're professionals on the clock, and not about entertaining random tourists like some may think the postcards imply.

I mean, in the 80's and 90's, us punkers were visually-interesting to tourists, even if not especially Japanese ones, but if we were dressed up the worst annoyance was usually that they were cutting into our *leisure* time, not work-time. (Also despite appearances I usually didn't mind so much cause I'm usually pretty gregarious. (It was the stereotype of Japanese tourists in America that they'd be pointing cameras at everyone and everything, ....when I was a bike messenger I was at first freaked out at all the yelling and cameras pointed at me from tourist trolley buses and Duck tours, but in restrospect I guess my daily grind was like "Yeah, I guess in Tokyo they don't have funky chicks doing fourty miles an hour in traffic or digging up long inclines in traffic with two-way radios. At least without getting arrested." (I didn't know that about Tokyo at the time. What I *did* realize while grabbing a rail and hitching a minute was they were actually cheering for real. :) )

So, yaknow. It didn't get in my way much but I eventually felt like I was being treated like it was the Tour De France and it was just my job. :) People should just show some consideration sometimes. :) (I mean, the pay was still crap but I frequently got a cheering section. :) )

[paulwiwatwongwana]

I want to say first, but very informative, Shogo. This is very helpful for all of us planning to go to Kyoto one day.

[valeriepagendarm]

They are artists/ business people . We need to respect them.

[ohrats]

As a painter, this etiquette reminds me of art gallery etiquette. If an artist is displaying works for sale, we’re happy you’re impressed by our work, but taking a picture of it and not buying anything is like taking money out of our pockets and food off our tables. I understand not everyone can afford art, there’s a lot of work from my fellow artists that I would love to own but sadly cannot afford! But taking pictures or videos of someone’s livelihood in lieu of paying for their services is a faux pa that harms creative and performance professionals. It’s not often talked about, I’ve noticed, so I’m glad to see it discussed even in different contexts

[flogarr]

Thank you. I know it is polite to ask if the photo is okay, I forgot that they would be on their way to another appointment. I appreciate you saving me the embarrassment of hindering the Maiko on her way.