Maiko Performances at Somaro
Yamagata Prefecture
See the practiced perfection and elegance of the maiko of Somaro Maiko Teahouse in the heart of Sakata City.
These geisha in training give two daily performances at noon and 2:00pm to live singing and shamisen by one of the head geisha instructors of the Somaro.
See our full article on Somaro Maiko Teahouse here.
This Edo era facility once had over 150 maiko who entertained high level merchants and government officials visiting the Shonai region. The performances today are the result of decades of effort by the city and people of Sakata to restore a central part of their cultural identity.
We recommend these performances as a must-see attraction to those visiting the Shonai area of Yamagata Prefecture.
Experience a Maiko Performance
What's Included
- Watch the Sakata maiko (trainee geisha) perform several traditional dances to live music.
- Explore the Somaro Maiko Teahouse Museum
- Enjoy a luxurious lunch along with the performance (12pm performance only, by advance reservation)
Cost
Ordinary Daily Performance: ¥2500 (no performance fee is required for accompanying children under 5 years old, but arrangement fees will be required)
12:00pm Bento Lunch and Performance (choose one):
- Multi-course Kaiseki Bento ¥8000
- Chirashi Sushi Bento ¥9000
- Unagi Eel Bento ¥10000
- Children’s Bento (only available for children kindergarten age or younger) ¥2500
We can handle individual bookings with an additional arrangement fee of ¥1500 per person (children included).
Please note that the Bento Lunch performances are not available on the days cruise ships pull into Sakata port.
Experience Availability
Year round (closed on Wednesdays and other irregular holidays*)
*Imminent Irregular Closures: March 25th and 26th, April 4th, 7th, 14th, 17th, and 28th, 2026.
Lunch bento cannot be ordered on Sundays or on days cruise ships pull into Sakata Port.
Solo travelers: Please note that Somaro cannot accept bookings for solo travelers unless there are other guests who have already made a reservation for the same performance.
For Cruise Ship Passengers: Unfortunately, performances which include lunch are no longer being offered on the days cruise ships dock at port. Maiko performances will be given multiple times those days instead. Please contact us if you would like to see a performance on these days!
Average Duration
30 minutes to 1 hour
Sample itinerary:
2:00 PM View a video about Somaro
2:10 PM See the maiko dance performances
2:25 PM Opportunity to take photos with the maiko
2:30 PM Self-guided tour around the historical building
Meeting Location
Somaro Maiko Teahouse
Booking Deadline and Important Notes
Reservations must be made at least 3 business days in advance.
Experience availability may vary. Please send a request through the contact form to check availability.
Please check the cancellation policy below before booking.
The Performances of Somaro
Performances at Somaro are split into two categories.
Daily Dance Performances
On days when there is not a cruise ship in port, daily performances are open to the public at 2:00 pm each day (excepting Wednesdays).
On cruise ship days, Somaro runs multiple thirty-minute performances, usually around 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm, though the exact times vary up to fifteen minutes.
Upcoming Cruise Schedule
- Diamond Princess, 4/15, seats available for performances at 9:45, 10:45, 1:00, and 1:45.
- Westerdam, 4/21, seats available for performances at 12:50 and 2:45.
- MSC Bellissima, 4/23, seats available for performances at 10:00, 1:00, and 2:00.
- Azamara Pursuit, 4/27, seats available for performances at 10:45 and 1:45.
These performances accept advance reservation, but are also open to day-of visitors if there are extra seats available. Up to 60 guests are accepted per performance.
The admission fee for this performance is ¥2500 per person, plus an arrangement fee of ¥1500 per person. The admission fee also includes the entrance fee to the many tea and exhibition rooms in Somaro.
Bento Lunch and Performance
Another chance to see the performances of the maiko is at the 12:00 pm lunch performance. These performances include a bento lunch served prior to the performance, and are not open to guests who have not reserved lunch, so these performances usually have less than 20 people. Please note that these lunch performances require reservations at least 5 business days in advance; you cannot show up to the venue the day-of.
The price of lunch varies based on your bento choice. Due to limitations in Somaro’s ability to prepare multiple types of bento, please choose one type of bento for your entire group.
- Multi-course Kaiseki Bento ¥8000
- Chirashi Sushi Bento ¥9000
- Unagi Eel Bento ¥10000
- Children’s Bento (only available for children kindergarten age or younger) ¥2500
Reserve a Maiko Performance
We handle bookings with an arrangement fee of ¥1500 per person, plus a fee to cover the transaction. Please note this form does not confirm the availability of a booking straightaway.
Cancellation policy
Our general cancellation policy for our experiences is below.
3 business days or less before date of experience
20% of total price
2 business days before date of experience
30% of total price
1 business day before date of experience
50% of total price
Same day
100% of total price
