Kyoto, Japan - Forover a thousand years, Kyoto has thrived as the cultural and imperial capital of Japan.Now a popular tourist destination, it is also the hometown of Japan's mysterious geishas.

日本，东京——一千多年来，东京已经成为了日本帝国繁荣的文化之都。如今，作为受欢迎的旅游目的地，这里还是日本神秘的艺妓们的故乡。

 

 

The word‘geisha' means a skilled artist highly trained in music, dance, and art of conversation.They were not paid tosell bodies; instead, geishas were considered beauty-obsessed elite.

“艺妓”指的是一位在音乐、舞蹈和交际艺术方面接受过高度训练的具备技艺的艺术者。她们并不出卖自己的身体;相反，艺妓是人们眼中美得让人着迷的精英人士。

The geisha culture rose to its peak in the1750s and gradually disappeared before the SecondWorld War. Now there are only300 of them left in Kyotoentertaining at heavily expensiverestaurants.

艺妓文化于18世纪50年代达到巅峰，在二战爆发前逐渐消失。现在，东京只有300名艺妓在昂贵的餐厅中招待宾客。

For average visitors even spotting one ofthose beautiful geishas is extremely difficult. Butthere are relatively newservices that have become especially popular in recent years: geishamakeover.

对于普通的游客来说，连碰见一位这样的艺妓都是件极其困难的事情。但与此相关的新兴服务业在近年来变得尤其受欢迎：艺妓妆容。

 

 

Professional makeup artists and attendantstransform visitors into a geisha complete with whitefoundation, wig andtraditional kimono. The two full hours of applying makeup could be a bittoomuch to endure but the end result is well worth it.

专业的化妆师和服务员给游客打上白色粉底、戴上假发并让他们穿上传统的和服，将他们妆扮成艺妓的模样。长达两个小时的化妆时间需要费点耐心，但最终的效果让等待有所值。

Prices range from $100 to $2000 withoptional services at an additional charge; for example,going out to thestreets or taking rickshaw rides.

服务价格从100美元到2000美元不等，并附带收取附加费的可选服务;例如，逛街或乘坐黄包车。