Tokyo's Geisha: A Fading Tradition
The topic is culture.
The report was published on Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 2:31pm.
Ikuko, an 86-year-old geisha, danced for shoppers in a Tokyo mall. She wore a black kimono and moved precisely.
Ikuko was actually a hologram, a 3D projection of a famous geisha. She was displayed in a life-size white box.
Ikuko thanked passers-by and bowed. Then, she changed into a younger version of herself, created with AI.
Ikuko thinks AI is not ready to replace geisha. But with geisha numbers falling, she accepts new ideas to save the tradition.
Ikuko sorts through her many kimonos, acquired over her long career as a geisha.
There were once 200 geisha in Akasaka, where Ikuko works. Now, there are about 20 geisha left.
Ikuko wants to preserve geisha culture. She did it for the culture's sake, even if it means changing with the times.
Ikuko had a great career and was awarded Japan's Order of the Rising Sun. She feels responsible for preserving the geisha tradition.
Ikuko is near the end of her life. She hopes Tokyo's geisha districts will survive for a few more decades.
Geisha are known for their hospitality.
Tokyo's geisha live and work in special areas called hanamachi or flower towns.
There used to be many hanamachi in Tokyo, but now only six remain. The number of geisha has also fallen from 13,000 in 1940 to around 200.
Many people, even locals, do not understand what geisha do. They are often misunderstood.
Geisha work behind closed doors, serving a select group of customers.
Young geisha take a selfie before a performance.
Geisha are artists who embody omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality.
They dedicate their lives to perfecting traditional Japanese arts.
At night, geisha host banquets in exclusive restaurants and teahouses. These places used to require introductions from existing clients.
Geisha dance, play music, and ensure conversation flows between guests at banquets.
Ikuko says this is the pinnacle of hospitality. Only special guests can attend these banquets.
Ikuko is shown as a young woman.
There were 400 geisha in Asakasa when Ikuko started. Now, there are 20 geisha left.
Ikuko has entertained many important people, including politicians and business leaders.
Ikuko has faced the misconception that geisha are prostitutes.
Once, Ikuko had to educate nurses in America about what geisha really do.
Ikuko acknowledges that some geisha in the past had to sacrifice themselves for their families. But that is not the case now.
Ikuko is one of Japan's most famous geisha.
The geisha tradition is coming to an end.
Ikuko started her geisha career in 1964, when Tokyo hosted the Olympics.
Ikuko remembers the busy old days when she had to rush from one banquet to another.
Iwashita Hisafumi, a writer, also remembers those busy days.
Iwashita Hisafumi can pinpoint when the geisha tradition started to decline.
Iwashita Hisafumi is a writer who specializes in geisha culture.
In 1993, the prime minister announced that politicians and businessmen should stop using ryotei restaurants for meetings.
After the announcement, customers stopped coming, and the decline began.
Ryotei restaurants closed, and many geisha districts ceased to exist.
Iwashita is concerned that the remaining ryotei have not found new customers and income sources to keep the tradition alive.
Iwashita says that culture needs money to flourish.
The geisha tradition must change to survive.
Some geisha houses are adapting to the changing times.
Asakusa Miyakadori no longer requires referrals or invitations to attend. It advertises on social media and takes bookings online.
The experience is tailored for tourists, with guests from many countries.
Kawamura Yuta said drastic action was needed to save the restaurant and his mother's legacy.
Okami Chikage, Kawamura Yuta's mother, is the owner of Asakusa Miyakadori.
Okami Chikage used to host banquets but now runs the restaurant.
Kawamura Yuta wants to keep the geisha tradition alive for his mother.
Okami Chikage is open to change and wants to move forward.
Tourists take photos with geisha in Tokyo.
Some people have criticized the changes, but Okami Chikage is not bothered.
Geisha performed for guests at a banquet, dancing and playing music.
A guest, Arturo Rabade, enjoyed the experience and appreciated the emotion of being there.
Arturo's wife, PoShan Wong Rabade, agreed that it was a special experience.
The next generation of geisha is emerging.
A geisha house in Tokyo looks ordinary from the outside but is traditional inside.
Geisha practice traditional Japanese music and dance.
Ikuko watched the geisha practice, following the moves with her hands.
A geisha's training is never complete.
Geisha rehearse traditional Japanese dance with a dance master.
Koume, a young geisha, understands that she needs to continue rehearsing and taking lessons.
Koume thinks it will take her decades to become a fully fledged geisha.
Koume is honored to learn from Ikuko and has been living with her for two years.
Koume was inspired to become a geisha after a school exchange trip to Australia.
Koume started researching geisha and decided to join their ranks.
Young geisha, including Yakoi, Saku, and Ryoma, are training in Tokyo.
Geisha dedicate themselves to learning traditional Japanese instruments.
Geisha can have children and get married, but many choose to retire to have a family.
Some young women are still signing up to become geisha.
Ryoma, a 19-year-old apprentice, gave up her university dreams to become a geisha.
Foreign Correspondent got rare access to the hidden world of Japan's geisha.
Ryoma's friend, Saku, also gave up her university plans to become a geisha.
Ryoma and Saku are among six apprentices training in Tokyo's biggest geisha district.
Some geisha houses recruit apprentices online or on social media.
Young hopefuls attend meetings with geisha houses to try to get accepted.
A geisha prepares for a performance in Mukojima, Tokyo.
Saku says that behind the scenes, geisha are constantly being corrected and told off.
Ryoma and Saku believe what they have gained outweighs what they have given up.
Ryoma recently made her stage debut at a public performance in the Mukojima district.
Ryoma was happy to stand on the Mukojima stage.
The geisha world is being brought to light.
Ikuko wants to see a joint performance by all six of Tokyo's major geisha districts.
Ikuko believes promotion is key to preserving the tradition.
Ikuko is meeting with a member of parliament to get the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to protect the geisha districts.
Ikuko wants the city government to help secure a venue for a joint performance.
Ikuko thinks the event could bring the geisha world back to life.
Ikuko and her geisha performed at an outdoor festival in Akasaka.
A woman in the crowd praised Ikuko's performance.
Ikuko hopes that people will appreciate the geisha tradition.
Foreign Correspondent's The Geisha of Tokyo is available to watch.
The header image shows Tokyo geisha Ikuko getting ready for a performance.
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