[Kobe City/Arima] You can watch Geisha dance! ``Geisha Cafe Ito'' is a casual place to enjoy in the Arima hot spring town.

• Table of Contents
• Arima Onsen is the only place in Hyogo Prefecture where geisha culture still remains.
• Get closer to geisha culture! Enjoy it casually at Geisha Cafe Ichiito
• Choose a plan to suit your needs
• basic information

Arima Onsen is the only place in Hyogo Prefecture where geisha culture still remains.

Photo courtesy of Geiko Cafe Ichiito

Geisha originated about 300 years ago during the Edo period. It is said that they spread from the area around Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, where women called "chakumionna" (women who serve tea) would perform songs and dances at teahouses called "mizuchaya" that entertained visitors to shrines and temples.

At Arima Onsen, there were "Yuna" women who looked after guests, but after 1883 when the bathhouse was converted into a Western-style building, this term was abolished. It is said that they later became geisha, who performed singing and dancing.

Photo courtesy of Geiko Cafe Ichiito

By the way, the history of bathhouse girls is long, and the first historical records of Arima's bathhouse girls date back to the Muromachi period. It is said that ukiyo-e prints of bathhouse girls were popular souvenirs during the Edo period. The geisha culture of Arima, which originated from the long history of bathhouse girls, was the first to be recognized as a Kobe City Historical Heritage Site.

When talking about geisha culture, it is important to know about the existence of "kenban" and "okiya." An okiya is the organization to which a geisha belongs, and a kenban is formed when okiya come together. There used to be around 15 okiya in Arima, but the number of okiya decreased after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. All of the geisha at "Geiko Cafe Itto" belong to the "Arima Kenban" and "Tanakaseki."

Get closer to geisha culture! Enjoy it casually at Geisha Cafe Ichiito

Geiko Cafe Ichito is located about a 5-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line. It is located at the top of a flight of stairs next to the foot bath at the day spa Kin no Yu, and down a footpath.

With the desire to "allow people to casually come into contact with Arima's geisha culture," the first floor of Arima Kenban was renovated in 2015. It was opened as a cafe bar with a permanent stage.

Inside Geiko Cafe Ichiito

As per the concept, it is popular with tourists as a place where you can casually enjoy the dances and ozatami entertainment of active geisha, which is usually considered to be intimidating. There are also many women, families, and customers from overseas who want to learn about Japanese culture.

The admission fee is 1,000 yen per person, plus one drink (starting from 800 yen). It is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:00 to 15:00 during the day, and from 20:00 to 24:00 in the evenings by reservation only.

In addition to coffee and soft drinks, they also offer alcoholic drinks such as beer and highballs. They also offer light meals such as ozenzai, toast sets, and cheesecake sets (limited quantities available), so it's a great place to stop by for a break between sightseeing.

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"Matcha and Japanese sweets set" (1,500 yen / limited quantity)

All of the guests are entertained by active geisha. Another great thing about this place is that the geisha will serve the drinks and food you order. They will even pour you beer.

The photography fee is included in the price, so if you ask, you can take a commemorative photo with us.

When the time comes, the geisha appears on stage. First, they explain the history of geisha and the kimono, wigs, and hairpins.

Geisha Ichina (left) and Ichimari (right)

As I listen to the commentary, I am constantly surprised to discover many things I didn't know.

By the way, the wigs weigh over 1kg! I was asked to come over to the audience and hold the platform on which the wig was placed, which was very heavy and gave me a glimpse of how hard it is for the geisha to carry their wigs.

There will also be a lecture on the types of hairpins and how to wear them.

After the explanation, you will watch a dance performance by two geisha. You will be entranced by their graceful movements and beautiful figure dancing with graceful movements right down to their fingertips.

Enjoy a relaxing time with some tea or alcohol.

Choose a plan to suit your needs

Photo courtesy of Geiko Cafe Ichiito

Geiko Cafe Ichiito offers a variety of plans for those who want to enjoy the dancing of Arima geiko even more.

For those who want to rent the venue exclusively for their group to enjoy dancing, we recommend the "Private Arima Dance Viewing Plan." The plan lasts about 60 minutes, and in addition to watching the Arima Dance, it also includes a parlor game, commemorative photos, a talk by a geisha, and a set of matcha green tea and Japanese sweets.

[Private] Arima Dance Viewing Plan Location: Geiko Cafe Ichiito

Price: 1-5 people 50,000 yen 6-10 people 70,000 yen Up to 15 people 90,000 yen Up to 20 people 120,000 yen

*Advance reservations required

Photo courtesy of Geiko Cafe Ichiito

In addition, for those who want to enjoy the nightlife of Arima, there is also the "Geisha Bar 90-minute all-you-can-drink night plan" and the "Reasonable Geiko Bar night plan." Advance reservations are required for both plans, so if you are interested, please check the website.

Photo courtesy of Geiko Cafe Ichiito

If you'd like to become a geisha yourself, why not try the geisha experience? This plan will have a working geisha help you dress and put on your makeup, and after you're done getting ready, you can stroll around the hot spring town and enjoy taking photos.

Geiko experience location: Geiko Cafe Ichiito (Arima Kenban)

Price: 33,000 yen

Time required: About 60 minutes for makeup and dressing. Total time including strolling and changing is about 2 hours

Many people have the impression that only special people can enjoy watching live geisha dances and parlor games, but Geiko Cafe Ichiito is open to everyone and is a place where you can experience geisha culture up close. The geisha are friendly and will talk to you, so even first-time visitors will feel at ease.

Not only can you learn about the history and culture of Arima Geisha, but you can also enjoy graceful dancing and take photos with Geisha in this wonderful space. This is a recommended shop for those who want to experience the traditional arts of Arima Onsen.

(Writer: Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is current as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

basic information

Geiko Cafe Ichiito

Address: 821 Arimacho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 078-904-0197

Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 20:00-24:00

* Reservations are required for evening viewing. Closed Mondays to Fridays and public holidays. Viewing fee: 1,000 yen

*One order system *Seat fee and photography fee included

*Ozashiki amusement is only available when the venue is exclusively reserved.

Access: 5 minutes on foot from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line

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