お茶屋(ちゃや)

おちゃや
noun
tea house
1. tea house (traditional)
A traditional Japanese establishment serving tea and light refreshments, often found at scenic spots, temples, or along historic roads.
寺(てら)の近(ちか)くのお茶屋(ちゃや)で休憩(きゅうけい)した。
We took a break at a tea house near the temple.
お茶屋(ちゃや)で抹茶(まっちゃ)と和菓子(わがし)をいただいた。
We had matcha and Japanese sweets at the tea house.
庭園(ていえん)の中(なか)に風情(ふぜい)のあるお茶屋(ちゃや)がある。
There's an atmospheric tea house in the garden.
2. geisha house
In the geisha districts, a tea house that arranges geisha entertainment and serves as a venue for banquets.
祇園(ぎおん)のお茶屋(ちゃや)で宴会(えんかい)を開(ひら)く。
We hold a banquet at a tea house in Gion.
お茶屋(ちゃや)遊(あそ)びは紹介(しょうかい)がないと難(むずか)しい。
It's difficult to enjoy a geisha tea house without an introduction.
京都(きょうと)の花街(かがい)には老舗(しにせ)のお茶屋(ちゃや)が多(おお)い。
There are many long-established geisha tea houses in Kyoto's entertainment districts.

お茶屋(ちゃや) has two distinct meanings depending on context.

TRADITIONAL TEA HOUSE (sense 1):

  • Found at tourist spots, temples, shrines, and parks
  • Serves 抹茶(まっちゃ) (matcha), 煎茶(せんちゃ) (sencha), and 和菓子(わがし) (Japanese sweets)
  • Often has 畳(たたみ) seating with views of gardens or scenery

GEISHA TEA HOUSE (sense 2):

  • Found in 花街(かがい)/花柳界(かりゅうかい) (geisha districts) like 祇園(ぎおん)
  • Requires an introduction (一見(いちげん)さんお断(ことわ)り = no first-time visitors without introduction)
  • Arranges 芸妓(げいこ)/舞妓(まいこ) entertainment
  • お茶屋(ちゃや)遊(あそ)び: enjoying entertainment at a geisha house
general
Added 2026.1.29 15:10
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