Ichiriki-tei

Ichiriki-tei is one of the most prestigious and historic ochaya (traditional teahouses) in Kyoto's Gion Kobu district, standing at the corner of Shijo Street and Hanami Lane for over 300 years. Built in traditional Japanese wooden architecture with hidden interior gardens and angled screens designed to protect patrons' privacy, it has hosted maiko and geisha entertainment for the city's most powerful guests since the Edo period. The house gained lasting fame through its role in the story of the Forty-Seven Ronin and the kabuki/bunraku play Kanadehon Chushingura, and later as a meeting place for secret talks that helped bring down the shogunate in 1868. Access is strictly invitation-only (ichigen-san okotowari) — guests must be introduced by an existing patron, and the house itself does not prepare food, instead having catering delivered a la carte for parties.