Kazuemachi Chaya District

The Kazuemachi Chaya District sits along the eastern bank of the Asano River, identifiable by the dark wooden latticework gracing the fronts of its low-slung, traditional teahouses. Unlike the more crowded tourist districts nearby, this narrow alleyway keeps a quieter rhythm. During the nineteenth century, geisha gathered here to perform for wealthy merchants and samurai. One legendary performer, a woman named O-Tane, famously held court in these rooms, keeping patrons waiting for hours just for a glimpse of her dance.