Downtown Kyoto is at its most atmospheric by night with its traditional wooden neighbourhoods converted into trendy (and expensive!) restaurants and bars.

Not much to look at by day, the streets come alive by night, crowned by the twinkling, beckoning and hypnotic charm of thousands glamour-laden lanterns.

We were lucky enough to spot ephemeral glimpses of geiko and maiko into narrow alleys, hurrying on their way to their appointments, and soon disappearing into the night.