Red light districts of Japan

The entertainment district history

Before the advent of Western-style red-light districts, Japan boasted "yukaku" or pleasure districts, established during the Edo period (1603-1868). These areas were more than just centers of prostitution; they were vibrant cultural hubs. Many courtesans in yukaku were well-educated in the performing arts, attracting clientele from the upper echelons of society, including samurai, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants.

The cultural zenith of the Edo period was epitomized in yukaku such as Shimabara in Kyoto during the Genroku era (1688-1704). Courtesans in these districts often excelled in music, calligraphy, and classical literature. However, the institution of yukaku faded with the end of the American occupation in 1946.

Modern Red-Light Districts

After the American occupation ended, Japan's red-light districts took on their modern form. Tokyo's Kabukicho became the most famous, bustling with bars, nightclubs, love hotels, and a host of other nighttime businesses. Even the Japanese underworld, the yakuza, maintains a presence in the area. Other cities like Fukuoka and Sapporo also boast significant red-light districts.

Girls bar

If you've wandered through Kabukicho, you've undoubtedly seen establishments known as girls bars. These bars staff female bartenders who, along with serving drinks, offer friendly conversation.  While the idea of paying for company might seem strange to some, it reflects Japan's unique social dynamics and long working hours that often leave little time for connection....

How does it work?

It’s straightforward! You enter a girls bar, take a seat at the counter, and engage in conversation with the friendly bartenders over drinks. Unlike hostess bars where you're typically assigned one hostess for the night, bartenders at girls bars rotate among customers and groups, providing an opportunity to chat with two to three of them during the evening.

Japanese sex industry

Japan's sex industry exists in a complex legal landscape. While prostitution itself is outlawed, establishments offering various forms of sexual services thrive by operating under different interpretations of the law.  Let's dive into some of the most common ones:

Soap lands

In Tokyo's red-light districts, advertisements resembling restaurant menus display prices and services. Meanwhile, "kyakuhiki" individuals entice customers with cards detailing offerings. These may include "binta," a facial slap, and "hizamakura," where patrons lie across the worker's lap, along with fellatio and hand jobs. While vaginal intercourse is rare, male customers know soaplands offer such services.

Soaplands, disguised as bathhouses, operate differently. Here, services aren't listed; instead, customers negotiate with "soap girls" in private rooms. Miyabi, a night shift construction worker in Tokyo's soapland district, notes patrons pay for a bath with a soap girl and then select additional services. Typically, sexual intercourse is off-limits.

Soaplands hold high prestige in Japan's sex industry and are among the priciest establishments. A mandatory pre-bath requires meticulous care. Customers vary from middle-aged businessmen seeking relaxation to young men hesitant to approach women. Fees go directly to the soapland owners, with additional services costing 2 to 3 times the base bath price.

These bathhouses offer private bathing services, but you also have the opportunity to receive a “special massage” from a soap girl, which can often be arranged for a fee. There is a strict no-touching rule during bathing sessions, and the activity takes place in full view of everyone else in the room. For some, it may represent an absence of intimacy rather than freedom.

This line of work, which may involve legal risks, demands considerable expertise. As soap-jyō Aya illustrates, a soap woman must master various erotic bath techniques. For instance, lotion play involves the soap girl rubbing lotion diluted with hot water over a client's body. During mat play, customers recline on mats while being bathed. The use of a “dirty chair,” a specially designed bathing chair providing access to the client’s intimate areas, is also common.

Staying Safe in Red-Light Districts

• Common Sense: Employ the precautions you would in any bustling city. Keep your valuables secure, be mindful of your drink, and avoid isolated areas late at night.

• Scams: Be wary of people offering overly cheap deals or trying to rush you into establishments. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is.

• Know your Rights: While some establishments operate in legal grey areas, you have the right to refuse services or leave at any time. Don't be pressured into situations you're uncomfortable with.

• Resources: If you encounter any issues, contact the local police. Some areas also have tourist advice centers that may offer assistance.