Traditional female entertainers in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto have exchanged early New Year greetings.

In Kyoto's Gion district, December 13 is regarded as the day for starting preparations for the coming year. Professional female entertainers known as "geiko" and their apprentices known as "maiko" offer greetings to their teachers every year on this day.

From the morning, Geiko and maiko wearing colorful kimono began visiting their dance teacher, Inoue Yachiyo, the leader of the Inoue school of Kyoto's traditional dance and a living national treasure.

One by one, the students wished their teacher a Happy New Year and asked for her continued support. In response, Inoue offered words of encouragement and gave them celebratory folding fans.

The room was decorated with about 60 sets of New Year rice cake decorations.

A maiko named Yuzuha said she will become a geiko next year, so she will work hard to improve her performance.