Beautiful Kyoto: Being a Maiko (featuring Fukunae-san)

Though a lot of what goes on in Kyoto's geisha districts takes place in private teahouses and behind gilded screens, it's no secret that maiko (geisha apprentices) lead strict and challenging lifestyles in the pursuit of their art.

Last year the Kyoto Fan (Discover Kyoto) team had the privilege of interviewing one of Miyagawa-chō's hard working maiko, Fukunae-san, to see what kind of training and preparation she goes through in order to one day become a top class geisha (or geiko, as they are called in Kyoto). Follow along as Fukunae-san takes us through an average day in her life, including music study, hair and make-up, dressing, and entertaining in the evenings. We hope you too will one day have a chance to experience this amazing Kyoto tradition.

To see more of what Kyoto has to offer, check out our website:

[deenibeeniable]

The woman in the blue kimono looks exactly like the women painted on ancient screens. It's astonishing.

[michelerodriguez]

She needs to drop a skin care routine omg she’s gorgeous

[hyube]

"A person should have one thing they can do with confidence."

[iva]

*Can we just give a little credit to her hairstylist, she got some skills*

[mariamikos]

I wonder if she is a geiko now, 4 and a half years after filming. I hope she is <3.

[ASMRJonie]

Even the way they talk it's soothing and beautiful, true artists!

[TaoNaomi]

Her skin is FLAWLESSS OMG WHAT IS THIS SECRET

[Euriel]

It's so nice to see young Japanese people being proud of their ancient culture and traditions. Thank you for this beautiful video. I'm already preparing my luggage for a travel after Covid-19

[ちょび-nc]

ここに出てくる姐さん、
少し狐っぽい顔立ちなのでお化粧が似合っていて、とっても綺麗

[Boop-beep-bap]

they both look like fairies walking daintily on Earth. and their voice is so soothing

[szelim]

"A person should have one thing they can do with confidence."
I feel that nowadays we lack this kind of mentality... most people have dreams, yet are unable to achieve them, or even take a first step towards them, because of the fear of societal judgement, pressure, etc etc. We should be more openminded towards our dreams and do our best to strive for them!! :)

[xXspedXx]

Her skin is FLAWLESS! How? Where? When? Why? I want all her secrets.

[h.m.]

The Buzzfeed video did an awful job at portraying this beautiful art form, this video is truly wonderful!

[onigireee]

I absolutely love how she started off by saying that being a maiko is also about thinking of others. She put a completely different spin on a subject I've read and seen so much about... It's very very feel good. Most documentaries or features are about how harsh it is, but she makes you realise what drives these girls into becoming pieces of art themselves, and the dreams they hold.
This is a lovely one! <3 :)

[おいも-dy]

この子お化粧した後もする前もめちゃくちゃ可愛い...
あと『おぼこい』って言葉可愛すぎるから使いたい

[Amalys_Mistwaltz]

"if you want to become something you have to take the plunge and go straight for it". Those words keep me on track when I get lost or depressed. I always come back to this video every once in a while. She is so inspirational and motivational that I can't help but admire her. I hope she became a geiko.

[zarazarasenbeigame]

この動画に出会って
何年経ったのか覚えておりませんが
すごくこの動画が大好きです。
先日 ふく苗さんが引退されたのを知って
驚きを隠せませんでした。
お酒が飲めるようになったら
京都に行って
ふく苗さんに会うのが夢だったのです。
一時期 舞妓さんになりたいという
夢を与えてくださったのも
ふく苗さんなのです。

本当にありがとうございました。
どうか 末永くお幸せでありますように。

[MAlexandra]

I watched the BBC documentary about Fukunae-san taking her Maiko exam. I'm so glad she's still working hard and is enjoying her choice to become a Maiko. And I love her philosophy: "Everybody should have one thing they can do with confidence."

[ariprabowo]

"A person should have one thing they can do with confidence."
Fukunae-san's wisdom belie her years in this video. I hope she's living a happy life, wherever she may be today.

[しょ沼うぉ沼]

今更だけどご結婚されてるんですね。

絶対子ども上品で綺麗な子になる(確信)