Miyagawa-cho started during the Kabuki Odori Dance era (these performances were the real start of kabuki and were comprised of vivacious dancing and joyous songs combined with amusing stories) of IZUMO no Okuni, and was first a red-light district called "kagema" (male geisha) because playhouses for Wakashu Kabuki (young men's Kabuki) and chaya (literally "teahouse" which refers to places where geisha entertain their guests) stood side by side, where male teenagers entertained guests.
出雲阿国の歌舞伎踊りの時代から始まり、最初は若衆歌舞伎の小屋と茶屋が立ち並び10代の少年が接待をしていたので｢陰間｣と呼ばれていた花街だった。