In the following videos, local residents talk about Gion.
Gion district is famous for its distinct culture like, for example, many of its restaurants still maintaining the principle of not allowing first-time customers or customers without introduction called ichigen-san okotowari. As the videos explain, such culture stems from the particularities of the services that the tea houses or restaurants provide and the fact that these shops are private houses as well.
Watching the videos can help you to understand why still many restaurants do not allow first-time customers or why taking photos of Geiko and Maiko is considered to be inappropriate.
Everyday life of a Maiko
Why are not first-time customers allowed?
Gion in the old days
