Geisha can be found in several cities across Japan, including Tokyo and Kanazawa, but the former capital of Kyoto remains the best and most prestigious place to experience geisha, who are known there as geiko. Five major geiko districts (hanamachi) remain in Kyoto.

In 2026, the most famous place to find geisha (known locally as geiko and their apprentices, maiko) is Kyoto, Japan. They are primarily found in the five "Hanamachi" (flower towns), with the Gion District being the most prominent. Specifically, the streets of Hanami-koji and the Pontocho alley are the most likely spots to catch a glimpse of a geiko as she hurries to her evening appointment at an "ochaya" (teahouse). Beyond Kyoto, geisha culture is also active in Tokyo—specifically in the neighborhoods of Asakusa, Kagurazaka, and Akasaka—and in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya district. In these cities, geisha are not "street performers" but highly trained professional artists who specialize in traditional Japanese dance, music, and the art of conversation. While it is possible to see them walking between venues, tourists are strictly prohibited from "chasing" or touching them, especially in Gion where new 2024-2025 privacy regulations have closed off several private side-alleys to tourists. To interact with one, you must usually book a formal dinner or attend a public performance like the Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dance) held in the spring.