A maiko is an apprentice geisha in Kyoto, Japan. They are young women aged 17 to 20 who perform songs, dances, and play traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen for visitors during banquets and parties, known as ozashiki. Maiko graduate to geisha status after a period of training that includes traditional dance, the shamisen, kouta (short songs), and, in Kyoto only, learning the Kyoto dialect. The apprenticeship ranges from a few months to a year or two years, although apprentices too old to dress as maiko may advance to geisha despite still training. Maiko originated from women who served green tea and dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to visitors to the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine in teahouses in Kyoto about 300 years ago.

Maiko wear elaborate kimonos, with a style known as hikizuri, which are typically anywhere from 200–240 centimeters long and often feature a lightly padded hem to create weight allowing the skirt to trail along the floor. They also wear different kinds of Nihongami (Japanese traditional hairstyles) according to different ranks and occasions, and decorate their hairstyles with seasonal Kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments) . Maiko, unlike Geiko (geisha), use their own hair and not wigs so they have to go to the Nihongami hairdresser once a week, and sleep on a Takamakura (high wooden pillow) in order to maintain it.

Maiko must live in the geisha lodging house (okiya) with their mother (okami-san) for 5 years. They are not allowed to have a cell phone, carry any money, or have a boyfriend. Maikos outfits are more eye-catching to divert attention from the lack of knowledge and experience, while geishas fashion is usually more mature and subtle. Maiko is between the ages of 15 and 20 while the geiko is older than 20. Maiko only exist in Kyoto, there is no such thing as the maiko-stage in the other geisha districts.