The literal meaning of the word geisha is “artist”.
Past. Tradition and codes.
Many times geisha have been singled out as “elegant prostitutes”, however they are far from it. A geisha does not sell sex. According to the legal profile provided by the government, a geisha performs as an entertainer and earns payment for this role, without offering sexual services. Japan officially recognized geisha as a profession during the second half of the 18th century. Originally, both men and women worked as geisha.Older geisha, who are over 30 years old, earn great respect due to their solid reputations. Because they have accumulated years of experience, they usually wear less makeup—reserving it for special occasions to preserve their natural beauty. They also wear smaller obi, and the community holds them in high regard.
A geisha dedicates her life to perfecting different artistic activities in unison that include singing, fan dancing, and playing the shamisen (3-stringed instrument); she also performs perfect tea ceremonies, makes flower arrangements, has impeccable calligraphy, knows literature, poetry and is a true master in conversation, which leads her to have knowledge in different subjects, at least in a general way.
The older geisha, who are over 30 years old, are characterized by a great reputation; because of their years of experience, they do not wear make-up as much, except for special occasions in order to preserve their natural beauty, their obi are smaller and they have a great respect from the community.
How Geishas Enrich Group Travel and Incentive Program
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In 1997 the novel Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden, was published, and in 2005 the movie based on it was released with the same name. Golden has a fascination for Japanese culture, which led him to write this novel that although much of it is the result of his imagination, it does give us a profile of the art involved in becoming a geisha, as well as the sacrifices and the great experiences they can go through in a lifestyle that we could hardly imagine.
Today, Japanese society holds geisha in high esteem. Loyal clients—including businessmen, politicians, and other influential figures—pay large sums of money to enjoy their company at an ochaya. However, becoming one of these clients isn’t easy; an existing regular must recommend them to the ochaya.
Some geisha work outside the teahouses and are closer to tourists, to whom they can offer a tea ceremony or a demonstration of dancing, singing and shamisen. It should be noted that the cost of a geisha depends on the time and services provided.
An Experience to Incorporate into Your Next Incentive Trip to Japan
For meeting planners looking to offer participants a deeper, more refined cultural immersion, geisha experiences can add a memorable and exclusive touch to any incentive program in Japan. Two standout providers offer curated access to these living traditions:
TOKI specializes in authentic luxury Japanese experiences, blending culture, craftsmanship, contemporary design, and gastronomy.
MAIKOYA highly rated on TripAdvisor, focuses on geisha and samurai-themed experiences—providing rare, respectful encounters with these iconic figures of Japanese heritage.
Both organizations offer group-friendly programs ideal for the MICE segment. Including a geisha experience in your itinerary is more than cultural appreciation—it’s a way to create lasting impressions through history, elegance, and authenticity.
