In the Shimabara district of Kyoto, Sumiya, now a “banquet culture” museum, is the last remaining ageya, a type of luxury restaurants providing luxury entertainment with geisha and high class tayū courtesans.

It was built in three stages, with the oldest part constructed in 1641, when the Shimabara district was moved to its current location. With the exception of a single hall, which was renovated after a fire, the construction survived until today in its original form as it was during the Edo period.

Sumiya, Shimabara, Kyoto

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