A beautifully preserved ageya (geisha entertainment house) in the south-west part of central Kyoto, Sumiya is a truly sublime showcase of Japanese architecture, design and decorative traditions.
Sumiya is one of the last remaining examples of ageya in Japan. An ageya is a traditional entertainment house where geisha and taiyu (another type of geisha) entertained elite guests in refined surroundings. Sumiya dates back to 1641, but parts of the buildings are more recent additions. It’s located in the old Shimabara pleasure district, of which very little remains.
You can tour the first floor for Y1,000 without an appointment during opening hours. However, you must make a reservation (in Japanese) and pay Y1,800 to tour the second floor. The tour of the second floor is given in Japanese but it’s well worth taking the tour, even if you do not understand Japanese. It is truly sublime and will give you a sense for the incredible wealth of pre-modern Japan.
If you’re a fan of Japanese gardens, architecture, design or history, don’t miss Sumiya!
English address:
32 Nishishinyashiki-Ageya-cho, Shimogyo-ku
Japanese address:
下京区西新屋敷揚屋町32
Opening hours:
10am-4pm, closed Dec 16-Mar 14, Jul 19-Sep 14 and Monday, tours of second floor by appointment only (phone the number below in Japanese)
Admission: Y1000 to first floor, Y1800 for second floor tour
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
7min walk from Tambaguchi Station, JR Sagano line
Nearest Hotels:
See hotels near to Sumiya Pleasure House on Agoda.com
Telephone: 351-0024
Website: Official Website (English)
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
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- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Near To Here:
Sumiya Pleasure House is located in Central Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Central Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
