Gion Kobu Kaburenjo

Most of the year, this is where geishas and maikos practice their routines; occasionally it hosts concerts and other shows. But each April, this kaburenjo (arts theatre) puts on the geisha dance spectacular Miyako Odori (Dance of the Capital). First performed in 1872 as a measure to stave off Kyoto’s decline after the city relinquished her title as Japan’s capital, it is still one of the highlights of the Kyoto’s calendar.