Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2010

The geisha of Tokyo’s entertainment quarters are a vanishing breed, and their arts are more obscure than their touristy counterparts in Kyoto. But every year, the traditional entertainers emerge from their exclusive ryotei wining-and-dining establishments to stage public performances. Presented by the geisha of Shimbashi, the 86th Azuma Odori dance festival began as a launch party for the then-new Shimbashi Enbujo theater. A variety of Iki no Odori (“smart dancing”) will be performed—a lively style that in the postwar era produced stars who became known across the nation. For this year’s 150th anniversary of Shimbashi’s “pleasure quarters,” local ryotei are also offering bentos usually available only to regular patrons of these cloistered establishments.

Azuma Odori
Annual performance of traditional Japanese dance by real Shimbashi geisha. Apr 26-29, various times, ¥2,000 (C)/¥4,000 (C, with sushi bento)/¥5,500 (B)/¥6,000 (A)/¥7,500 (B, with sushi bento)/¥7,500 (Box)/¥8,000 (A, with sushi bento). Shimbashi Enbujo. Tel: 03-5565-6000. www1.ticket-web-shochiku.com/p Info:  www2.odn.ne.jp/shinbashikumiai/index.html