This page is for journalists, editors, and media professionals: verified facts about Asakusa Miyakodori and press photography.
At a Glance
| Name | Asakusa Miyakodori (浅草 待合茶屋 都鳥) |
|---|---|
| Operated by | Miyakodori Co., Ltd. |
| Founded | June 23, 1950 (company registration date on official records) |
| Address | 3-23-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan |
| Location | North of Senso-ji Temple (the quiet Kannon-ura side), about 3 minutes past the temple grounds. 13 minutes on foot from Asakusa stations, 4 minutes by taxi |
| Hours | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM (last booking) — later times on request |
| Rooms | 3 tatami banquet rooms (largest seats 23 guests): two with table and chair seating, one with sunken kotatsu seating |
| Website | en.miyakodori-geisha.com (Japanese: miyakodori-geisha.com) |
| Press contact | [email protected] |
Miyakodori in Three Lines
Founded in Asakusa in 1950, Miyakodori is the only machiai-chaya in Asakusa — a teahouse whose purpose is to host private banquets (ozashiki) with geisha. In a trade where “no first-time guests without an introduction” has long been the rule, Miyakodori opened its doors to first-time guests, including visitors from abroad. Today it hosts ozashiki gatherings with Asakusa’s working geisha for guests from Japan and around the world.
Key Facts for Journalists
- Asakusa’s geisha community: About 20 geisha are active in Asakusa today. Geisha are independent professionals registered with the local geisha office (kenban); Miyakodori does not “employ” them — it books them for each ozashiki.
- Hōkan (Taikomochi): Japan’s only male geisha, a performer who orchestrates the fun of a banquet. Asakusa is the only place in Japan where officially registered hōkan still perform (six are registered with the Asakusa kenban). Inviting a hōkan is part of what an ozashiki at Miyakodori can offer.
- The Okami (proprietress): Chikage, the second-generation okami, is a former geisha. She debuted as a hangyoku (apprentice geisha) in 1969 at age 15 and became an ippon (full geisha) at eighteen and a half. She has been involved in geisha culture for over 57 years, including 27 years as a geisha. She is the only proprietress in Asakusa with direct experience as an active geisha. Her training in dance and kiyomoto singing began at age five, following the traditional “sixth day of the sixth month at age six” custom (counted in the old style).
- Third generation: Yuta Kawamura, the current (third-generation) proprietor.
Style Guide (common errors and correct usage)
| Common error | Correct |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1948 | Founded in 1950 (confirmed by official company records) |
| “Geisha employed by / belonging to Miyakodori” | Geisha registered with the Asakusa kenban, invited by Miyakodori |
| “A short walk from Kaminarimon gate” | North of Senso-ji (Kannon-ura area); 13 min on foot from Asakusa stations |
| “The only place in Japan to see a hōkan” (about the restaurant) | The uniqueness belongs to the hōkan and to Asakusa: “Japan’s only male geisha, whom guests can invite to an ozashiki at Miyakodori” |
| “Taikomochi” as the primary reading | Hōkan (Taikomochi) — hōkan is the standard term in Asakusa |
Selected Press
- ABC (Australia) Foreign Correspondent — “The Geisha of Tokyo”, broadcast August 4, 2026. The programme filmed an ozashiki at Miyakodori (final segment, from around the 23-minute mark) (programme · YouTube)
- ABC News — “Inside the closed world of Japan’s geisha”, August 8, 2026 (article)
- The Sankei Shimbun (March 10, 2026) — feature on okami Chikage: carrying ozashiki culture to the world and the next generation (article, Japanese)
- Re·rise News (YouTube, December 2021) — interview with the third-generation proprietor (Japanese)
Photography
The images below are watermarked, low-resolution previews. For publication-quality files, please email [email protected] with your outlet’s name and the intended use — we will send high-resolution files directly.
Terms of Use
- Editorial and journalistic use only (no commercial stock use; no use by competing services)
- Please credit: Photo courtesy of Asakusa Miyakodori
- Please do not alter the images beyond cropping
Interview & Filming Requests
Interview requests for our okami, Chikage, are especially welcome. She worked as a hangyoku and then a full geisha before becoming a proprietress. She is the only proprietress in Asakusa with direct experience as an active geisha.
Please note that interviews or filming involving the geisha themselves carry a fee, as their preparation and time must be compensated — geisha are independent professionals. Details on request.
For interviews or filming involving the ozashiki or geisha, please contact us in advance at [email protected]. We will review your request and reply personally.