Oiran Procession - a unique travel experience only in Japan

Oiran, the highest-ranking courtesans in Japanese history, would wear colorful kimonos and walk in a special way on wooden clogs about 20cm high to show off their prominence.

Oiran is a general term for the highest-ranking courtesans in Japanese history, known for their refined entertainment skills and training in traditional arts.

Oiran literally means leader of all flowers, referring to the special place of Oiran in Japanese culture.

Divided into several ranks within this category, the highest rank of oiran was the tayū, who were considered separate from other oiran due to their extensive training in traditional arts.

Oiran were proficient in the traditional arts of singing, classical dance and music and were able to converse with their clients in the language of the upper class.

Many Oiran became celebrities both inside and outside the pleasure quarters, and were often depicted in ukiyo-e woodblock prints and in kabuki plays.

Oiran flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries until being banned after World War II.

During that era, a daily procession would be seen on the streets of Yoshiwara in Edo, where the Oiran and their escorts would parade down the street as a form of advertising.

Oiran would wear colorful kimonos and walk in a special way on wooden clogs about 20cm high to show off. The purpose of the Oiran procession was to advertise their brand and honor customers.

Today, the Oiran procession is recreated by artists and has become a unique tourist experience only found in Japan.

Below is an image of an Oiran procession recreated by Japanese artists at Toei Kyoto Studio Park: