Has anyone experienced this and was it worth it or was it a "tourist rip-off"?

Can you describe it ? Hard to say, not knowing what it is and who's doing it.

It is an evening spent enjoying Japanese cultural dance and dinner along with Maiko Girls.

I meant the details...
Where will it happen? Is transportation included? is the food and liquor included? Do you get dressed up? Are these real maiko or just actresses? Who is selling or organizing the evening? What is the cost?

Is this the event you're looking at? http://www.kyoto-maiko.jp/info/index.html

It is sponsored by Kyoto Gion HATANAKA...the cost is JPY 18,000...I would certainly get dressed up...the definition of "Maiko" is Geisha apprentice...I am just trying to find out if anyone has every attended this, is it a "rip off", etc.

Thank you.

This is about as close the <i>geisha</i> world as the Japanese allow a foreigner to get unless you have local connections. It will definitely be authentic. It's worth to you would depend on your amount of interest in the Japanese culture.


Aloha!

VT- When I was asking for details about "dressing up", i was wondering if this was one of those places that dresses you up like a maiko, then photographs you and lets you wander the Gion for a little while. (Obviously this is a girl kind of thing!)

I agree with Hawaiiantraveler. If you are interested in japanese dance and music this will be fun. If not, you might be better off going out for a really good kaiseki dinner.