The life of a Maiko is not easy and it is filled with learning and training from their mid to late teens. It is a vocation as well as a lifestyle that requires total dedication. As such, it is a fairly insular world that has a very public face as well as a private one as well.

This show gives us a peek into the inner workings of a Maiko house. It is a fascinating drama for anyone who is interested in this unique Japanese way of life. However, this is a double edged sword as the show really takes the slice-of-life aspect to its heart so from the get-go. It rarely pauses to explain anything about their training, lore and rituals. I would suspect some young Japanese will also feel a bit confounded. For foreigners, it can be downright bewildering which makes this an interesting choice for Netflix international distribution.

On top of that, there is a very strong foodie element. Not only are the dishes looks delicious and change with seasonal ingredients, they are also tailored to individual’s tastes. All power to the FL for being so skillful but I just can’t shake the fact that she is barely 17yo. Is it dramatic licence?

The storytelling is tropey and fairly old fashion. It is totally functional and engaging, just don’t expect any edgy social commentaries. The plots are low angst and a bit meandering. It skips around the timeline and tends to focus on key dates, festivals and milestones. There are hints of romances, and some tough decisions confront our protagonists. The narrative is ongoing so a sequel is quite possible. The pacing is leisurely. It can be almost meditative at times. Dedicating long minutes on some daily errands is part of the narrative. You just have to roll with it.

Acting is good across the board. The inhabitants of the Maiko House and their associated Geikos are the key members of the ensemble. The young female leads certainly pull their weight. The female cast carries most of the plots and have the most growth (although it is not consistent). The male cast is in support and fill the minor roles. The portrayals are not particularly deep and their behaviours are mostly predictable. You are left in no doubt that the sisterhood and their shared heritage is the foundation that the house is built on.

Your level of enjoyment and reward is really subjective. It is more enjoyable if you are familiar with the subject matter and can follow the ebb and flow of their rigid routines or conversely, you can treat this as a mindless filler and watch it casually. If you are somewhere in between then it can be confusing and frustrating to varying degrees. At the most fundamental level it is a nice show about a female only share house with a talented young live-in cook. However, that would be like describing Lord Of The Rings as a bunch of weird people wandering the wilderness. ;)

This review is relatively short because I don’t really have a lot to say about it. I personally loved this drama. It is like the dishes cooked and served in the show. Nothing fancy but so delicious and comforting. It sparks joy in you, and you just want more. BTW, there is a website that has all the recipes in the show. I’m game to try cooking some. Are you? ;)