The five "maikos", all between the ages of 16 and 20, met passers-by and handed out leaflets proclaiming historic Kyoto, 500 kilmotres to the west of Tokyo, is alive and kicking, despite a recent lashing by a typhoon that swamped sightseeing spots.
The women, whose hair was elaborately held up with delicate pins carved in the shape of flowers to reveal their neckline used broad Kyoto dialect to greet Tokyoites hurrying past under leaden autumn skies.
Throughout history, wealthy and powerful men have spent time with geisha -- the name means "artist" -- who are rigidly schooled in the art of conversation and bound by strict rules of confidentiality.
High-flying politicians and businessmen continue to strike sensitive deals in the presence of geishas, paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an evening of entertainment and discretion.
In ancient Kyoto -- the capital of Japan until 1868 -- girls would be raised in geisha houses where they were coached from a young age in the many skills required.
Successful trainees must submit to an austere regime of training in the arts, as well as playing their part in cooking and cleaning for the rest of the house.
"I wanted to become a maiko when I saw the life of a maiko in a TV documentary when I was in elementary school," said one of the apprentice geishas, 18, known by her adopted name Ichimari. "I enjoy every day of my life."
"I also wanted to become accomplished in traditional arts," she said. "I feel happy this way."
The maiko in Tokyo today will become full-fledged geisha when they have mastered the art forms they are being schooled in.