Refers to an area with many brothels, bars, and adult entertainment establishments. Often used in historical or literary contexts, but still understood today.
During the Edo period, this area flourished as a red-light district.
He spent the night in the red-light district.
Standard kanji spelling for 'red-light district'.
Variant spelling using 街 (town/quarter); less common but still seen.
Compound of 色 (iro, 'color; love; sensuality') and 町 (machi, 'town'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since the Edo period to denote pleasure quarters.