Kiyo and Sumire came to Kyoto from Aomori Prefecture, dreaming of becoming maiko. But after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as the live-in cook at the Maiko House. Their story unfolds in Kagai, the Geiko and maiko district in Kyoto, alongside their housemate maikos. Kiyo nourishes them daily with her homecooked meals, and Sumire strives toward her promising future as the once-in-a-century maiko.
Cast: Kana Hanazawa, Mao Ichimichi, Satsumi Matsuda
14HDCC
Season 1
12 episodes
1. Kiyo and Sumire / Menu for a Special Day / Secret Supper PlanKiyo works at the Maiko House as the live-in cook. She sees her childhood friend Sumire in town one day, accompanying older maiko. Back at the House kitchen, Sumire tells Kiyo how hard she is working towards her goal of becoming one, too. Sumire is overjoyed to learn that she will debut as a maiko later that evening. She runs straight to Kiyo to share her news, but what will she think?14CC25minFeb 25, 2021
2. For Sleepless Nights / Some Things Will Always Be / Snowy Day ReminiscenceSumire is going to have her hair styled in the traditional maiko bun for the first time. She will start using a special pillow to protect her hairstyle while she sleeps, like the other maiko and senior apprentices with buns. The senior maiko warn her she won't be able to sleep the first night, and Sumire struggles to rest her head on the unfamiliar pillow. She finally gives up on sleep and goes to the kitchen, where she unexpectedly finds Kiyo waiting up for her.14CC25minMar 25, 2021
3. Kiyo Arrives in Kyoto (Part 1) / Kiyo Arrives in Kyoto (Part 2) / An Apprentice Maiko's MorningAbout a year ago, in Aomori Prefecture. Kiyo is spending time with her grandma while getting ready for her and Sumire's departure to Kyoto that evening. Later, Kiyo, Sumire and Kenta have fun reminiscing about their childhood, and Kiyo's grandma serves them a specialty dish from the region to celebrate. Just before boarding the night bus, Sumire discovers what Kiyo has packed from home, as her grandma and Kenta look on.14CC25minApr 22, 2021
4. What I Want to Eat / A Senior Apprentice's Evening / Debut DayKiyo is having trouble deciding what to cook for supper. She asks the maiko what they want to eat, but they all like different dishes. Sumire's favorite is fried chicken. Her craving grows so strong that it is all she can think about while entertaining customers over dinner, and on her way home. When she finally arrives back at the Maiko House, she is greeted by Kiyo, who is preparing an unexpected supper for her.14CC25minMay 27, 2021
5. A Day in Kiyo's Life / Homemade Curry / Snowy MorningKiyo's day revolves around cooking and nourishing the maiko. In the morning, she gets ready quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping maiko, makes breakfast and goes grocery shopping after seeing the maiko off. Mid-day, she prepares lunch for the maiko who have returned from lessons, preps ingredients and serves supper to the maiko before they leave for entertaining. At evening time, Kiyo cleans up before going to the public bath and takes a stroll enjoying Kyoto at night.14CC25minJun 24, 2021
6. Waiting for a Letter / Christmas in Kagai / New Year's Eve in KagaiAomori Prefecture. Kenta pays a visit to Kiyo's Grandma's and notices that she has received a letter in her mailbox. When Kenta realizes it is from Kiyo, he remembers how she and Sumire secretly exchanged notes in school. It was then that something about Kiyo's handwriting had started catching his attention.14CC25minJul 22, 2021
7. First Day Home / New Year's Shrine Visit / Back to KyotoKiyo has come home to Aomori Prefecture to spend New Year's with her grandma. Sumire and Kenta come to visit, and the three of them chat while making the hometown specialty walnut sauce for Ozoni soup. As she grinds the walnuts, Kiyo talks proudly about how amazing Sumire is performing as a maiko in Kagai as the others wonder, how about Kiyo?14CC25minAug 26, 2021
8. First Day of Work / Opening Ceremony / White DoveJanuary 7 is the first workday of the new year in Kagai. The Maiko House girls are rushing about, preparing for the beginning of work. Sumire has her hair put up, gives Mother a personal New Year's greeting, and gets dressed in a formal black crested kimono worn on celebratory occasions. In the kitchen, Kiyo prepares a special breakfast for this important day, but the maiko must take particular care when eating it.14CC25minSep 23, 2021
9. Something Warm for Lunch / When You Have a Cold... / Making Greeting RoundsMother brings home some premium beef. Kiyo immediately starts thinking about what she can make with it, but the maiko who have returned home are realizing that the house is unusually cold. None of the heating appliances could be turned on due to a blackout. As the maiko sit shivering in the cold, what better than Kiyo appearing in front of them with a steaming hot pot.14CC25minOct 28, 2021
10. Night for Extra Effort / Bean Throwing for Everyone / Drink for an Energy BoostIt is customary for Geiko to dress up in costumes for the Setsubun festival in Kagai. The House maiko are up late, helping make the props and costumes. The girls are sleep-deprived, and they start to come apart in the room where they've been working together, as the night wears on. Can Sumire find something in the kitchen to help calm everyone down?14CC25minNov 25, 2021
11. A Meal Request / Maiko Sisters Giving Their All / Kiyo, Same as AlwaysSumire dines out at a high-end restaurant along with Momoko and a regular customer but cannot make any sense of the menu. Sumire ends up having the same meal as Momoko but is left wondering what she actually ate. The next morning, she goes to Kiyo in the house kitchen and makes a request for the dish she had wanted to eat.14CC25minDec 23, 2021
12. Sumire's Day Off (Part 1) / Sumire's Day Off (Part 2)The maiko spot garlic in the kitchen and it causes quite a stir among them. As entertainers, maiko typically refrain from eating anything that smells too strongly and can only enjoy having such foods when they have the next day off. The garlic is for Sumire's gyoza dumplings. She is looking forward to them so much that she blurts out some puzzling words while she entertains customers the night before her day off.14CC25minJan 27, 2022
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Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House
★ 6.8/1020211 season12 episodesEnded
Kiyo and Sumire came to Kyoto from Aomori Prefecture, dreaming of becoming maiko. But after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as the live-in cook at the Maiko House. Their story unfolds in Kagai, the Geiko and maiko district in Kyoto, alongside their housemate maikos. Kiyo nourishes them daily with her homecooked meals, and Sumire strives toward her promising future as the once-in-a-century maiko.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Sayako Uchida, Izumi Nakazawa, Yoshihito Kuroiwa
- Studio
- J.C.STAFF, NHK Enterprises, NHK
Maturity rating
14Check the rating before watching with younger viewers.
