Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — Japan has extremely low crime rates and well-regulated adult entertainment. Licensed venues under the Fuzoku Eigyo (風俗営業) system operate legally and safely. Stick to established districts (Kabukicho in Tokyo, Tobita Shinchi in Osaka, Yoshiwara in Tokyo) and registered establishments. Avoid unlicensed street touts.

The biggest risks are financial (overcharging in unregulated bars) rather than personal safety. Always agree on prices before entering any establishment.

Not necessarily, but it helps significantly. More establishments are becoming foreigner-friendly, especially in Tokyo. Here's what you can do:

• Show the address written in Japanese to a taxi driver using Google Maps
• Point at price menus — most shops have numbered menus or photo menus
• Use Google Translate camera to read signs in real-time
• Book delivery health online — some services have English booking forms
• Ask your hotel concierge to call ahead and confirm foreigner acceptance

Almost all adult entertainment venues in Japan are cash only. This is one of the most important things to know before visiting.

• Withdraw cash from 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart ATMs — these reliably accept foreign Visa/Mastercard/Amex
• Withdraw ¥30,000–¥50,000 before heading out (enough for most venues plus tips)
• Some upscale hostess clubs and Kabukicho bars accept credit cards, but never assume
• Host clubs sometimes allow card payment for large bills (¥100,000+)

Yes — you must be 18 or older to enter any adult entertainment venue in Japan. Staff will sometimes ask for ID, especially at hostess clubs and bars. Bring your passport as ID — Japanese ID is not required, but they need to confirm your age if asked.

Hours vary by type:

• Soaplands: Typically 10:00–23:00 or midnight. Evening hours are busiest — go on a weekday morning for shorter waits
• Fashion Health: Many open 24/7 or until 3–5 AM
• Delivery Health: Available 24/7 in most cities
• Host/Hostess Clubs: Open from around 18:00–20:00 until 1:00–5:00 AM
• Image Clubs: Typically noon until midnight

Here's exactly what to expect:

1. Reception: Enter the lobby, select duration and companion from a photo board or menu. Pay upfront (cash). Prices range from ¥15,000–¥45,000.
2. Waiting room: Wait in a private or shared lounge. May have drinks available.
3. Bath preparation: Your companion prepares a large bathtub with warm water. You undress and enter the bath area.
4. Body wash: The companion washes your entire body using a special soapy mat (air mattress covered in soap foam) — this is the signature soapland technique.
5. Services: After bathing, you move to a bed area for additional services. The specific services are negotiated discreetly and are not advertised.
6. Finish: Shower, dress, exit. The total experience is typically 60–120 minutes.

It varies significantly by location. The Kawasaki soapland district is widely considered the most foreigner-friendly, with several establishments explicitly accepting foreign guests. Yoshiwara in Tokyo has some foreigner-friendly options but many restrict to Japanese-speaking customers. Tobita Shinchi in Osaka has very limited foreigner acceptance.

Tip: Have your hotel call ahead. Say you're American and ask if they accept foreign guests. This dramatically increases success rates.

Prices vary by district, duration, and companion selection:

• Budget soaplands: ¥15,000–¥20,000 ($100–$130) for 60 min
• Mid-range: ¥25,000–¥35,000 ($165–$230) for 90 min
• Premium: ¥40,000–¥80,000+ ($265–$530+) for 2 hours

The price covers everything — no tips expected. Bring extra cash just in case.

Yoshiwara (Tokyo): Japan's most famous soapland district. Historic red-light area, dense with shops, variety of price points. Some foreigner-friendly options exist.

Kawasaki: Between Tokyo and Yokohama. Smaller district but widely considered the most foreigner-friendly in Japan. Staff at some shops speak basic English.

Tobita Shinchi (Osaka): Unique 'restaurant' format where companions are displayed in traditional storefront windows. More conservative about foreigners — Japanese speaking strongly preferred.

No — never take photos inside or outside soapland districts. It's considered deeply disrespectful and may get you confronted by staff, nearby businesses, or locals. Some districts have signs explicitly prohibiting photography. Keep your phone away and enjoy the experience privately.

Fashion Health (ファッションヘルス): You visit a physical shop location. Similar to a private parlor — you select a companion, go to a private room, and receive non-penetrative services. More affordable, easier walk-in access.

Delivery Health (デリヘル): The companion comes to your location — your hotel room. You pay more for the convenience and privacy. Some delivery health services have English booking online, making them ideal for first-time visitors.

Fashion health offers non-penetrative services (this is the legal distinction). Services typically include massage, body contact services, oral services, and companionship. Penetrative sex is legally prohibited — establishments that offer it are operating illegally and are higher-risk.

Services vary by shop and companion. A 'service menu' (sometimes with photos) is shown at reception. Point at what you want or bring a translation app.

The process:

1. Find a delivery health service online — search 'デリヘル [your city]' or use one of the services listed in our rankings
2. Some services have English booking forms; for Japanese-only services, use Google Translate
3. Select a companion from photos, select duration (typically 60, 90, or 120 min)
4. Give your hotel name and room number
5. Wait in your room — the companion arrives within 30–60 minutes typically
6. Pay cash upon arrival or at the end

Have cash ready: typically ¥12,000–¥35,000 for 60–90 minutes.

Most delivery health services avoid love hotels (they have their own bookings) and some luxury hotels have security policies against it. Business hotels, mid-range hotels, and Airbnbs are generally fine. If your hotel has a concierge, they may be able to help or may have house rules.

The companion will typically meet you in the lobby if the hotel doesn't allow direct room access — this is common and normal.

Yes — delivery health is arguably the most foreigner-accessible option because: (1) it comes to you, avoiding navigation to unfamiliar districts; (2) some services offer English booking online; (3) you control the environment; (4) no language barrier at reception. It's more expensive than shop-based fashion health but more convenient.

Use the rankings on this site as a starting point. For research, Japanese review sites like DQN Review aggregate real user ratings. Avoid services advertised with price-too-good-to-be-true rates or spam text messages. Reputable services have professional websites with pricing, photos, and booking systems.

Host Club: Male hosts entertain female customers. Women pay for handsome men to pour drinks, flirt, compliment, and provide emotional entertainment. Kabukicho has the world's most famous host clubs. Men compete for rankings based on sales.

Hostess Club / Kyabakura: Female hostesses entertain male customers. The quintessential Japanese business entertainment. Men pay for women to pour drinks, light cigarettes, make conversation, and provide companionship.

Costs have multiple layers:

• Table charge: ¥3,000–¥10,000 to sit down
• Drink set: ¥2,000–¥8,000
• Hostess fee: ¥1,000–¥5,000 per hour per hostess
• Bottle keep: ¥10,000–¥100,000+ for your own bottle
• Champagne call: ¥50,000–¥500,000+ (a host/hostess's signature move)

A casual night: ¥15,000–¥30,000. A 'big night': unlimited. Set a mental budget limit before entering and stick to it. Never pay more than you agreed to.

Yes — many hostess clubs in Kabukicho and Osaka Namba accept foreign male customers. The ones that cater to foreigners often have multilingual staff or English-speaking hostesses. Tourist-facing clubs in Kabukicho explicitly welcome foreigners. Avoid 'members-only' clubs without a Japanese introducer.

Yes — 'catch' (キャッチ) touts outside clubs can lead foreigners to overpriced or sketchy venues. Warning signs: no posted prices, paying before seeing the menu, being charged for 'lady drinks' you didn't approve. Always see a menu with prices in writing before agreeing to sit down. If uncomfortable, leave immediately.

Image clubs (imekura) are roleplay scenario establishments where customers pay for a scripted fantasy experience with a companion. The 'stage' might be a classroom, office, hospital, train car, or maid café. Costumes and props are provided. Services are similar to fashion health (non-penetrative) but wrapped in a detailed roleplay scenario.

Akihabara: Heavy anime/maid/otaku themes — perfect for fantasy scenarios. Most foreigner-friendly image clubs in Japan. Ikebukuro: Mix of otaku and idol-themed scenarios. Shinjuku: Broadest variety of scenario types.

Most image clubs have a laminated menu with photos showing the scenario options (classroom, office, nurse, idol, etc.). Point at the scenario you want. Some shops allow you to bring your own costume request or suggest a custom scenario for an upcharge. Akihabara shops are most experienced with foreign customers and often have simple English menus or picture menus.

Yes — all categories listed on this site operate legally under Japan's Fuzoku Eigyo Ho (風俗営業等の規制及び業務の適正化等に関する法律) — the law regulating adult entertainment businesses.

The key legal point: Japan's 1956 Anti-Prostitution Law prohibits selling sex (penetrative intercourse for money), but everything else — fashion health, delivery health, soaplands, image clubs, host/hostess clubs — operates in legal frameworks that explicitly permit these services while prohibiting penetrative sex specifically.

Extremely unlikely if you use licensed establishments. Japanese police do occasionally raid unlicensed venues, but licensed shops operating in established districts are rarely touched. As a tourist, the risk of arrest for visiting a legitimate soapland or hostess club is essentially zero.

The only real risk is if you specifically seek out and pay for penetrative sex (illegal), in which case you could theoretically be charged.

Japan doesn't have a single 'red-light district' in the Western sense. Instead, it has regulated entertainment districts in major cities: Yoshiwara (Tokyo soaplands, historic district), Kabukicho (Tokyo's largest nightlife and adult entertainment hub), Tobita Shinchi (Osaka's traditional entertainment district), Namba (Osaka's main nightlife area), and Susukino (Sapporo). Each operates legally under local and national licensing.

As with any sexual activity, STI risk exists. Condoms are used at all reputable establishments. If you have concerns, JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) lists English-speaking medical clinics in major cities. International SOS and your travel insurance should cover medical care if needed.

Yoshiwara (Tokyo): Take the Hibiya Line to Minowa Station (H20) or a taxi. Show your phone map to the driver — Yoshiwara is known, say 'Yoshiwara onegaishimasu'.

Kabukicho (Tokyo): Take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. East exit, walk 5 min north. Impossible to miss — look for the large 歌舞伎町 gate.

Tobita Shinchi (Osaka): Take the Sakaisuji Line to Ebisumachi Station. Walk 10 min southeast. Google Maps can navigate you there.

Key phrases:

• いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) — 'How much?'
• 外国人OK？ (Gaikokujin OK?) — 'Are foreigners OK?'
• 英語メニューありますか？ (Eigo menyu arimasu ka?) — 'Do you have an English menu?'
• 現金のみですか？ (Genkin nomi desu ka?) — 'Cash only?'
• 何時まで営業していますか？ (Nanji made eigyo shite imasu ka?) — 'What time do you close?'

The Japan URA PDF includes a full phrase card you can show on your phone screen — no Japanese required.

Essential kit:

• ✓ Cash — ¥30,000–¥50,000 minimum
• ✓ Passport — age verification ID if asked
• ✓ Charged phone — Google Maps, Translate, and booking
• ✓ VPN on phone — some Japanese sites are geo-restricted
• ✓ Condoms (optional) — establishments provide them

Yes — a VPN is useful for two reasons: (1) Some Japanese adult entertainment websites are geo-restricted or difficult to access from hotel WiFi which may have content filters; (2) Your privacy is better protected on public hotel networks. NordVPN and ExpressVPN both have servers in Japan and work reliably.

No — Japan does not have a tipping culture and tipping can actually be seen as offensive or confusing. Pay the quoted price, leave nothing extra. The exception: some upscale hostess clubs where a cash 'gift' to your favorite hostess is part of the culture (and they'll make it obvious how it's done).