"Geisha are aware they're special and subject to (tourist) interest so it is part of their lives," says local guide Hair accessories and kimono belts offer clues when distinguishing geisha from ...

So tonight I had dinner at a high-end ryotei restaurant in Kyoto with my wife's uncle, and afterwards had drinks at an Ochaya in Gion, which is one of the main geisha entertainment areas of Kyoto.

Gion is a historic Kyoto neighborhood known for its willow-lined streets, wooden ryokan (traditional inns), antique shops, kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) restaurants, and centuries-old tea houses.

Apart from using an iPod to accompany her dancing, a geisha banquet hasn't changed much in the past 400 years Different districts in Japanese cities have varying training regimen for geisha Four ...

Discover why Kyoto is such a popular destination, and why it was voted the No. 1 city in Asia and No. 2 city in the world in ...