What is "hanamachi"

n. A Japanese courtesan and geisha district.

is a Japanese geisha district. The word's literal meaning is "flower town". Such districts contain various okiya (geisha houses) and ochaya (teahouses).

Historically, Hanamachi typically contained a number of okiya and ochaya, along with a kaburenjō. The kaburenjō was a meeting place for geisha, usually with a theatre, rooms where geisha classes can be held, and the kenban offices, which dealt with geisha's pay, regulation and similar matters. Gion, a district in Kyoto, also has a vocational school, called Nyokoba. Many of the teachers there are designated as Living National Treasures. The onsen geisha communities of onsen (hot spring resort) towns are not considered hanamachi, and not listed below.