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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/gladly-beyond on 2025-04-18 08:00:43+00:00.

Hello Japan Travel! Currently on day 5 of my first trip in Japan with my partner. Today was our first full day in Kyoto, and months ago we got tickets for the Miyako Odori geisha and maiko performance. We saw the performance this afternoon and it was incredible. The dancers and musicians are extremely talented, and we rented small headsets which played English audio describing the history of the Mikayo Odori, and the story behind each dance.

Despite having a wonderful time, I have to vent about the lack of etiquette displayed by the tourists attending the show. There was a 50/50 mix of Japanese locals and tourists at the performance. Prior to the performance starting, workers walked around with clear signage (displayed in Japanese, English, and symbols/photos) to put away and silence phones, not to talk, etc. Before and during the performance, I witnessed the following:

• Seconds before the show started, lots of tourists were arriving and quickly being ushered to their seats by staff. I could not imagine running late to such a formal performance.
• Also seconds before the show started, multiple tourists were standing up to have their photo taken in front of the stage. Staff had to order them back to their seats.
• Moments before the show began, a woman was scrolling on her phone, and staff went over with their sign and quite literally shoved it in her face to tell her to put her phone away. She didn’t make eye contact, shrugged, and continued scrolling on her phone. Staff awkwardly stood there watching her until she sheepishly put it away.
• My largest gripe: during the performance, the entire row behind me consisted of loud tourists who laughed and talked almost the whole time. It was very distracting. An older Japanese man was seated next to me and turned around to shush them, which they ignored. I was very close to turning around and telling them to be quiet, but the performance ended before I did (it lasted 1 hour total). I regret not saying something. I wish staff would have come by to tell them to be quiet / kick them out during the show.

This is a bit of a rant, but I am blown away by the behavior of grown adults being disrespectful while attending such an amazing show. Regardless, I would highly recommend seeing it! I think tickets are likely sold out for this year, but it is an annual performance each April in Kyoto.