Attractions
Greet a geisha in the laneways of Kyoto's Gion District
JAPAN // With their elaborate kimonos, theatrical make-up and immaculate up-dos, the mysterious geisha usually confine their appearances to special occasions and best- selling novels. Yet if you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of them shuffling by as they go about their daily business in Gion. Kyoto's largest entertainment district by the mid-18th century, Gion is still a stronghold of Japanese geisha culture. Despite thronging tourists, it maintains an air of tradition, particularly in the little back-lanes. Behind the closed doors and shuttered windows of 17th-century teahouses, kaiseki restaurants and exclusive bars await, signalled by glowing lanterns.