From the 16th century on, red-light districts — yukaku in Japanese — began to be created in various places across the country, including Kyoto, Osaka and Edo, now Tokyo.

Kyoto does not have a "red light district" in the modern Western sense of organized adult industry hubs; instead, it has five historic Hanamachi (flower towns), the most famous being Gion. While Gion was historically an entertainment district, in 2026 it is a highly regulated cultural zone centered on the Geiko and Maiko (Geisha) tradition. These women are professional artists who provide refined entertainment, not sex workers. However, Kyoto does have a "modern" entertainment area called Pontocho, a narrow alleyway filled with bars and restaurants that can feel more "nightlife-oriented." It is important to note that as of 2026, Kyoto has implemented strict bans on tourist entry to many private residential alleys in Gion to protect the privacy of the Geiko and Maiko. Violating these zones or harassing performers for photos can result in fines of ¥10,000. For actual "red light" activities (known as Soaplands or Fashion Health), one would typically have to go to specific areas in Osaka or Tokyo.