Geisha glamour comes at a price

By KRISTIN JOHANNSEN

So you want to be a geisha for an afternoon? Such an amazing transformation doesn't come cheap, with prices running from 7000 to 35,000 yen (about $140 to $700), depending on the type of costume and makeup chosen. Expect to pay around 10,000 yen ($2000) to be dressed as a maiko, and somewhat less for a geisha costume.

An extra charge is made for a 30-to-60-minute walk outdoors, and for photos taken by the studio. It's a good idea to bring a friend along to help with your belongings, and to take pictures.

Some studios also dress customers in historical costumes, such as a 12-layered court kimono, or deck them out as characters from Japanese literature. A few offer male visitors the chance to dress as samurai or historic figures.

Generally, studios require reservations several days in advance. For popular times, such as weekend afternoons, appointments should be made several weeks in advance. Most studios are busiest in April (the cherry blossom season) and November (the maple leaf season.)

The Kyoto Tourist Information Centre has information on several studios and their services, including studios where some English is spoken . Contact them at (0081) 75 371 5649.