The first photograph
One small studio in Arashiyama, where you could become a maiko.
- 2006.9.16 Our Arashiyama studio, Honkaku Maiko Taikensho Kokoro, opens. Twenty years start here.
16 September 2006 It started with one photograph.
In 20 years, that one became
more than we can count.
20 years of thank you.
KYOTO KOKORO GROUP 20th ANNIVERSARY 2006 – 2026
From 2006 to 2026.
Come and walk the road with us.
A townhouse in Gion
The second studio, in Miyagawacho — a Kyoto townhouse, made over.
- 2008.9 Our Gion studio, Kokoro Hanashizuku, opens.
Onto the main street
Right beside Togetsukyo Bridge. The first studio moved.
- 2010.7 The Arashiyama studio moves and reopens as STUDIO Kokoro.
A new name over the door
A third studio in Okazaki — and, beyond maiko and oiran, into Western dress and invention.
- 2014.9 Our Okazaki studio, Esperanto Kokoro Kyoto Okazaki, opens.
From Kyoto to Tokyo
A fourth studio in Minami-Aoyama. New ground, and a more polished kind of transformation.
- 2019.12 Our Tokyo studio, Esperanto Kokoro Minami-Aoyama, opens — the first outside Kyoto.
More room to work
Into Randen Arashiyama Station. The first studio moved once more.
- 2023.3 The Arashiyama studio moves and reopens as STUDIO KOKORO ARASHIYAMA.
Okazaki, made new
The Okazaki studio changed its name and its look.
- 2025.7 The Okazaki studio reopens as Look Make Lab "ESPERANTO KYOTO".
Twenty years, and onward
We came this far because people walked through the door, and because our staff walked it with us.
- 2026.9 Kyoto Kokoro Group turns twenty. We are marking it with four projects, all of them about thank you.
Over twenty years the studios multiplied, and places and names changed.
What we have kept is our gratitude, and our spirit of hospitality.
Photos from our guests
Favourite photos, sent in by people we have photographed over the years. Tap one to see it larger.
Send us your favourite photo
To mark the anniversary we are collecting favourite photos from the people we have photographed over the years, and putting them on show — in our studios and on this site.
From today, or from a visit years ago. We would love to see the one you like best.
Our four studios
Each studio does something different. If you enjoyed today, there may be another one waiting for you.
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Arashiyama, Kyoto
STUDIO KOKORO ARASHIYAMA
Maiko, oiran, kitsune-no-yomeiri, hyakki-yagyo, Shinsengumi, kimono styling. The widest range of Japanese looks we offer, a short walk from Togetsukyo Bridge.
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Gion, Kyoto
KOKORO HANASHIZUKU
Our oiran specialists since 2008, in a converted Kyoto townhouse. Full oiran sessions through to lighter, easier plans — and tayu since August 2026.
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Okazaki, Kyoto
LOOK MAKE LAB "ESPERANTO KYOTO"
Portraits with an artistic leaning — makeover, natural, lolita, cyberpunk, ceremony and more. For a dramatic transformation, or for a photo that simply looks like you.
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Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo
LOOK MAKE LAB "ESPERANTO TOKYO"
The world we built in Kyoto, in the quieter, more polished air of Minami-Aoyama. Makeover, natural, lolita, gents and ceremony sessions.
We look after your photo and your email address carefully, and use them only as described above.