During the Meiji period, Goban-cho was permitted as an independent prostitution district along with Yonban-cho, and "Nyokoba" (Women's School); however, Nyokoba became a nominal institution, and Goban-cho was divided into two areas; an eastern area with geisha and the western area with prostitutes.
明治に入り、五番町は四番町とともに独立の遊廓として認められ女紅場を設置したが有名無実となり、やがて東部と西部に分けられ、東部は芸妓、西部は娼妓とそれぞれ栄えた。