Foreign Travelers Surprised by the Presence of Geisha in Tokyo
It has now been six months since we began offering geisha tours in Kagurazaka, Tokyo. Every foreign traveler who has participated in our tour has said, "I had no idea there were geisha in Tokyo." They often join our tours after being recommended by a hotel concierge. Even seasoned travel agencies and guides have been known to tell foreign visitors, "If you want to see geisha, you need to go to Kyoto."
The awareness that geisha exist in Tokyo is extremely low among foreign travelers. Even many Japanese are unaware that there are geisha in Tokyo. Furthermore, very few people know that the number of geisha in Tokyo is nearly the same as in Kyoto.
Tokyo Has Six Geisha Districts
Tokyo is home to six geisha districts known as the Rokkaigai. These districts are Kagurazaka, Shinbashi (Ginza), Akasaka, Asakusa, Yoshicho, and Mukojima. Below is a brief description of each district. According to an article in the Yomiuri Shimbun dated December 17, 2015, there were about 225 geisha in these six districts as of 2015. The number of geisha by district, as mentioned later, is based on the same Yomiuri Shimbun research. In addition to these six districts, there are others, such as Hachioji, which had 19 geisha as of 2015.
A Brief Introduction to Tokyo’s Six Geisha Districts
Kagurazaka: The district where we offer geisha tours. It retains cobblestone alleyways and a sense of old-world charm. At its peak, more than 600 geisha were active here. The 39th Kagurazaka Odori is scheduled to be held on October 19, 2024. In 2015, there were 20 geisha, and according to the Tokyo Kagurazaka Association, 17 remain today.
Shinbashi (Ginza): The geisha district was born when a shamisen master opened a restaurant near present-day Ginza 8-chome. The "Azuma Odori" held every May is famous. In 2024, the 99th Azuma Odori was held from May 24 to May 27. In 2015, there were about 60 geisha.
Akasaka: A geisha district that developed around the Tameike area during the Edo period and grew as a geisha district during the Meiji period. Due to its proximity to the National Diet Building and Nagatacho, it was primarily used by government officials. In 2015, there were about 60 geisha.
Asakusa: A geisha district that emerged during the Edo period near the Kabuki theaters. The "Saru-waka-cho geisha," "Yamaya-hori geisha," and "Hirokoji geisha" formed today's hanamachi (flower town). The Asakusa Odori is scheduled for October 5, 2024. In 2015, there were 26 geisha.
Yoshicho: In the Edo period, this area around present-day Ningyocho in Nihonbashi was home to kabuki theaters, and the surroundings became the base for a hanamachi. In 2015, there were 7 geisha.
Mukojima: Known for its laid-back, downtown atmosphere, Mukojima is appreciated for its lack of formality. The 9th Mukojima Odori is scheduled for November 29, 2024. In 2015, there were about 90 geisha.
Kyoto’s Six Geisha Districts
In Kyoto, there are six geisha districts: Kamishichiken, Gion Kobu, Ponto-cho, Gion Higashi, Miyagawa-cho, and Shimabara. These are sometimes collectively referred to as the Rokkaigai of Kyoto. However, the five districts that belong to the Kyoto Hanamachi Union, excluding Shimabara, are often referred to as the "Five Kagai (Hanamachi)." According to the Kyoto Traditional Art Foundation, as of April 2024, there were 155 geiko (geisha) and 56 maiko (apprentice geisha) in Kyoto’s Five Kagai, for a total of 211.
Tokyo and Kyoto: Similar Geisha Numbers, Different Perceptions
Although the survey periods differ, Tokyo's six geisha districts had approximately 225 geisha in 2015, and Kyoto’s Five Hanamachi had a total of 211 in 2024. This indicates that there isn’t a significant difference in the number of geisha between Tokyo and Kyoto. Therefore, the notion that "you need to go to Kyoto to see geisha" is a rather skewed perspective. Tokyo’s geisha industry needs to actively promote itself domestically and internationally to dispel the misconception that geisha only exist in Kyoto.
The Unique Appeal of Kagurazaka Geisha
Since our company only offers geisha tours in Kagurazaka, we can’t compare it with other geisha districts. However, we’ve frequently heard from travelers and travel agencies who have experienced geisha tours in Kyoto that "Kagurazaka’s geisha are not overly influenced by tourism, which is refreshing." Personally, I am always impressed by the hospitality and conversational skills of the Kagurazaka geisha.
I strongly encourage you to experience the charm of Kagurazaka’s geisha. Unlike Kyoto, Kagurazaka is free from over-tourism. Why not immerse yourself in the ultimate Iki (sophisticated) experience—enjoying ozashiki asobi (geisha entertainment) in the stylish town of Kagurazaka? It’s sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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