Maiko, or apprentice geisha, are seen sanitizing their hands ahead of a practice session for this spring's Kamogawa Odori dance performance in the Pontocho district of Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, on March 27, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. As maiko girls cannot wear face masks because of their hair styles, they make sure to scrub and disinfect their hands as a precaution against transmission. Geiko, meanwhile, wear masks. In the ancient capital's five major entertainment quarters, three of four spring dance performances have either been canceled or postponed. The Pontocho Kabukai Association will decide in early April whether to go ahead with its spring revue slated for May 1 to 24 as planned.

(Japanese original by Satoshi Fukutomi, Kyoto Bureau)