Shrine-Maiden Experience in Kyoto
- In Japan, a "Miko" refers to a Shinto shrine maiden
- Dress in a Miko's costume immersing yourself in the revered traditions and customs of these mystical guardians of the shrine
- Any ladies over 12 years old can join this experience
What to expect
What is Miko You’ve seen some girls in white robes and red skirts at shrines in Japan. They are called “Miko(巫女)” in Japanese. They used to be like shamans in ancient times, but now they are a kind of assistants of Shinto priests. Of course, they have to learn appropriate behavior in shrines even now.








Good to know
The schedule of Miko(shrine-maiden) Experience
- Costume dressing
- Ceremonial manners(purifying,ringing bells, etc…)
- Sweep shrine precinct
- Formal worship (sanpai)
- Small lecture
- Photo time You can put on Chihaya(a formal jacket) and Kanzashi(a hair accessory) when you take pictures. You can take pictures anywhere you like
Reviews
I'm writing this in Thai for Thai speakers. This activity is highly recommended for anyone visiting Kyoto. We booked the 100-minute course, and it was worth every minute because we learned about the sacred Kagura dance, how to show respect to the gods, and more. The instructor was so lovely and kind. There were no communication problems at all, and they were very friendly. At the end of the course, we chatted a bit and took some beautiful photos. Overall, this activity is highly recommended.
It was a wonderful experience overall! Our sensei was very nice, spoke good English, patient, friendly, taught us the basics of being a proper miko including the dance and I loved that I got to experience it and be able to execute the learnings later on w the priest. The staff there were all so sweet and nice and the shrine is beautiful.
This experience was one of a kind! I highly recommend this for anyone interested in miko or new religion customs and ceremonies. They are so informative and kind. It was amazing.
It's not my first time traveling in Japan, but I booked this experience thinking I'd enjoy various things while traveling solo, and it was a surprisingly fresh experience. I was late due to another schedule beforehand, but I was able to participate without any problems. The experience was conducted in English, and the staff was very fluent. I messed up the order several times, but they were incredibly patient and explained it to me again and again. The program itself is a recreation of a miko's (shrine maiden's) daily life, including prayers and dances. After the experience, there's a photo time, and since I didn't have anyone to take pictures for me, Chihiro, who was running the session, took pictures with great care. Thinking about it now, I should have taken a picture with her, which is a shame~ I think it's worth trying if you want to feel the Japanese vibe and are interested in traditional culture.💕
This experience was my favorite part of my trip to Kyoto! As someone who loves to study Shintoism and visit shrines, I found this experience extremely interesting and full of amazing things to learn! The instructor was so knowledgeable and taught me so much!
Very interesting! The teacher spoke English very well, even though I have a very poor level, I understood her perfectly! She taught us how to make an offering, a sanctuary dance, how to purify our hands... There were only two of us in the class! I highly recommend it!
This was a once in a lifetime experience, facilitated by the lovely miko guide, who spoke perfect English and had a lot of patience. Aside from dressing up like a shrine maiden, you learn about their life and duties, including participation in a ritual and learning part of a special dance. This experience was one of the main highlights of my trip, I highly recommend it!
It was a unique and very enriching experience. There were only two of us participating that day, so I was able to learn a lot about Japanese culture and the Miko calmly. Both Chihiro-san, who was our "teacher", and the rest of the temple staff were very kind and attentive. I recommend this experience if you want to experience something different on your trip.
This was an excellent cultural experience. I learnt so much. It was just me and my friend. The miko that attended to us (I think her name is Masuda) spoke great English and explained everything really well. She was very nice and patient when explaining the duties and the ways of praying.Very knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions. The pace of this experience was also great. We did not feel rushed at all. I highly recommend this to anyone. The temple is felt warm and inviting. This is an experience that i will definitely remember.
The above experience content is written very hastily. The experience is richer than expected. Maybe it is because the floor is wet and has not been cleaned? At the beginning, we dressed up, greeted the gods, washed our hands, then taught us origami, made jade strings, practiced jade strings, and practiced a little shrine dance. Finally, it was official participation and photo time. During the purification ceremony, we really felt purified, and the shrine was also very quiet. Feeling great 👍
Contact us
You might also like...
Oiran Experience with Photo Shoot (Kyoto)
Kyoto: Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk
Maiko Experience / Samurai Experience (Kyoto / Provided by Studio Shiki)
JR Haruka Kansai Airport Express Ticket
Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple
Kyoto: Nighttime Zen Meditation & Matcha Tea Experience in Myoshinji
Kyoto Oiran Experience (Arare Kiyomizu Kodaiji)
Ikebana Japanese Flower Arrangement In Ikenobo Style At Local Home
teamLab Biovortex Kyoto Ticket
About the operator
Trending sights
FAQs
Explore more on Klook
Top attractions in Kyoto
- 1 Arashiyama
- 2 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3 Kiyomizudera Temple
- 4 Sanzen-in Temple
- 5 Kinkakuji Temple
- 6 Gion
- 7 Nishiki Market
- 8 Nijō Castle
- 9 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- 10 Fushimi Jikkokubune
- 11 Kyoto Station
- 12 Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 13 Pontocho
- 14 Kamo River
- 15 Toei Kyoto Studio Park
- 16 Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
- 17 Ninenzaka
- 18 Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
- 19 Kurama Hot Spring
- 20 Sanjusangen-do Temple




