Some more of the architecture. It appears that the shutter-like wooden parts that jut out are used to hold the windowed panels. Whether they slide in or have to be manually moved, I can't say. The wood keeps its age well, unless it is constantly being re-paneled.

The stone path past the lantern had a nice effect and there weren't any other establishments that gave up so much space to the outside. The columns of side-lighting makes it enchanting to step into at the right time of day.

This was the house open to the public (for a fee, of course) and to this day still trains maiko. The Wikipedia article on geisha is quite comprehensive, though at times confusingly written. The main points are that maiko are geisha in training, and neither are prostitutes but entertainers skilled in the traditional arts. I encourage you to skim the article!

This one is unique among the others - its construction raises it off the ground. I wish I understood more about the design of the buildings, but the relevant information I found was limited to Japanese only; my vocabulary isn't that good.

Another shot of the aged lane on this wonderfully sunny day. My how the weather has changed since then. Rainy, windy, and cold seems to be the Japanese way for November. Mind you, all of the fair-weathered days happen to be workdays. Yes, it's statistically probable, but it still hurts.