How many hanamachi are there in Kyoto?
There are six hanamachi that exist in Kyoto today. The five geiko hanamachi are named: Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Miyagawacho, Kamishichiken and Pontocho. Collectively, they are referred to as Kyoto’s Gokagai (Five Flower Towns). The sixth hanamachi is the old pleasure quarters of Kyoto, the Shimabara. After prostitution was made illegal in 1957, all but one ageya, the Sumiya and one okiya, the Wachigaiya remained open to serve as museums to help preserve the important historical customs and traditions of the pleasure quarters. Today, there are women who act out the life, art and customs of the Tayuu at the Wachigaiya, minus the sexual aspect.
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