Ochaya

In Japan, an ochaya (お茶屋, literally "tea house") is an establishment where patrons are entertained by geisha.

In the Edo period, chaya could refer to establishments serving tea and drinks (mizujaya (水茶屋)), offering rooms for rent by the hour (machiaijaya (待合茶屋)), or brothels (irojaya (色茶屋) in Osaka, hikitejaya (引手茶屋) in Edo).^[1] However, in the modern day, ochaya refers exclusively to the establishments within Kyoto in which geisha work and entertain their clients,^[2]: 304 though the term is sometimes used to describe all establishments used by geisha to entertain guests, irrespective of location.

Equivalent establishments in locations outside of Kyoto are known as ryōtei (料亭), meaning "restaurant", referring to a traditional Japanese-style restaurant where geisha may entertain.^[2]: 305