Hanamachi A hanamachi ( 花街 ) is a Japanese geisha district . The word 's literal meaning is `` flower town '' . Such districts would host various Okiya ( houses of Geisha ) . Nowadays , the term `` hanamachi '' refers to the areas where modern-day Geisha are still operating . The term Hanamachi ( 花街 ) is commonly used in modern Japan . In Kyoto 's Gion ( or Gion Kobu ) district , however , the older term `` Kagai '' ( 花街 ) is still in use . Alternatively , `` kagai '' is used to refer to Sangyochi , as it hosted Ryoutei ( restaurant ) , Geisha-Okiya ( geisha 'family ' houses ) , and Ochaya ( tea houses where customers can reserve a tea room to be entertained by Geisha and other entertainers , with various cooked food brought in by neighbouring caterers ) . Each hanamachi usually has okiya ( the geisha families ' houses ) , ochaya ( tea houses , where geisha do most of their entertaining ) , a kaburenjo ( a meeting place for geisha , usually with a theatre , rooms where geisha classes can be held , and the kenban offices , which deal with geisha 's pay , regulation and similar matters ) . Gion Kobu also has the vocational school , the Nyokoba . Many of the teachers there are designated National Living Treasures . Hanamachi Kyoto hanamachi Gion ( Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi ) Miyagawacho Kamishichiken Pontocho Kamishichiken Shimabara Tokyo hanamachi Shinbashi Asakusa ( 浅草 ) Yoshicho Kagurazaka Mukojima Kagurazaka Hanamachi near Tokyo Hachioji Areas historically renowned as `` hanamachi/kagai '' Torimori Shintomicho Fukagawa Maruyamacho Yanagibashi Nakano Shinbashi Yoshiwara was the Tokyo courtesans ' district ; again , it is sometimes referred to as a hanamachi . Hanamachi in Osaka Kita Shinchi Minami Shinchi Hanamachi in Kanazawa Higashi Chaya Nishi Chaya Hanamachi in Hakata  This Japan -related article is a stub . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it . Categories : Japan stubs | Geisha | Japanese culture In other languages : Deutsch | 日本語 | Русский 