iReport: Insta-geisha! Kyoto's traditional beauties meet Facebook app

In a recent CNNGo iReport assignment, we asked readers to share their photos of their favorite Japanese destinations.

Angi Brzycki, a 31-year-old American living in Okinawa, submitted a gallery of shots from ancient Kyoto taken using the rather-more-modern Instagram app on her iPhone 4.

Brzycki told us how she ended up in Kyoto taking shots of tourists dressed as Japanese Maiko, or apprentice Geisha, entertainers in traditional dress.

“I have been living in Okinawa for the past year on the JET Program as an assistant language teacher,” she says.

“Before living in Okinawa I lived in Otsu City. Otsu is in Shiga Prefecture but is only two train stops away from Kyoto, where I used to go sightseeing often.

Respect for tradition

“Okinawa is a two-hour flight away, so I have only been back twice since I moved,” she says.

“I made sure to return last November for the koyo (fall changing of the leaves) and for the sakura season this April.

“I love the respect people have toward Japanese history and traditions in Kyoto. I think it is interesting that young women from various parts of Japan (and other Asian countries) come to Kyoto and pay a lot of money to get dressed up as Maiko,” says Brzycki.

“They walk around parts of Gion and it really adds to the atmosphere. During the cherry-blossom viewing season, it is more common to see them on the ancient capital’s streets.”

If you like Angi's photos as much as we do and happen to be in Okinawa next month, check out her show at this Naha gallery during June.

More on CNNGo: See Kyoto without the crowds

These photos were submitted to CNNGo by iReporter Angi Brzycki as part of an iReport assignment asking readers to share their favorite Japanese destinations. Interested in submitting your own stories, photos and videos? Visit our iReport page.