Japan's Soaplands: What the Law Says

1. The King of Adult Entertainment

Japan's laws governing adult entertainment prohibit "honban" (full-service sex). Among various forms of adult entertainment, only soaplands provide "honban" services, which is why they are referred to as the king of adult entertainment.

Japan is a country that loves bathing. Men like bathing, women like bathing, and men especially enjoy bathing with women.

If, while bathing, the customer and the girl can't help but engage in "honban," that is considered free love between the customer and the girl, which is not illegal.

Japan is a country overflowing with free love, and everyone needs free love. In soaplands, you can bathe together and experience free love.

2. The Law

Two main laws govern Japan's adult entertainment industry.

The first is the "Anti-Prostitution Law," which makes providing "honban" services illegal in Japan.

The second is the "Entertainment Business Law," which allows certain establishments to operate legally under specific conditions. For example, Tobita Shinchi operates under the guise of being a "restaurant." These places have no kitchen but are considered places where you can "eat." Customers and girls (employees) engage in free love on the second floor.

Soapland establishments typically only collect the entrance fee, or bathing fee. The shop only provides bathing services, not other services.

As for what happens between the customer and the girl (employee), that is considered a private matter. Usually, the girl directly receives the payment for any "dates" that occur.

3. Tokyo Yoshiwara Soaplands

Japanese law dictates that adult entertainment venues can only operate in specific locations. Among the various soapland areas, Yoshiwara in Tokyo is the most famous.

Yoshiwara has a long history and is known for its excellent service. Most establishments here accept foreign customers, and the shops strive to provide the best experience possible.

Even if a shop does not accept foreign customers, they will politely inform you and respectfully escort you out.

The overall appearance of the girls at soaplands is generally lower than in Tobita Shinchi. If appearance is not a top priority and you prefer good service, you might want to give it a try.

1. Yoshiwara Soapland Locations
   Yoshiwara is located in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, Senzoku 4-chome.

   Access: Take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Minowa Station. From there, it's a 10-minute walk to Yoshiwara.

2. Yoshiwara Soapland Prices
   (1) Low-End Discount Shops: Prices are around 20,000–30,000 yen.
   (2) Mid-Range Standard Shops: Prices are around 30,000–50,000 yen.
   (3) High-End Shops: Prices start from 50,000 yen for premium shops, and VIP shops can cost over 100,000 yen.

3. Yoshiwara Payment Methods
   (1) Mainstream Payment:
   In this model, the entrance fee and service fee are separate.

   Only the entrance fee is displayed at the shop’s entrance, which is the fee paid directly to the shop. The market rate is about 5,000 yen.

   The service fee is paid directly to the girl. Generally, the service fee is 2-3 times the entrance fee.

   This method is used to comply with Japanese laws. The entrance fee is for the bathing service provided by the shop. The service fee paid to the girl is a voluntary "date" fee for any romantic relationship that develops, and it has nothing to do with the shop.

   While it may sound absurd, from a legal standpoint, it works. The same system is used in Osaka's Tobita Shinchi.

   (2) Non-Mainstream Payment:
   In this model, the entrance fee and service fee are combined into a single total amount.

   The full amount is displayed at the entrance, which includes both the entrance fee and service fee. The customer does not need to pay the girl separately. The shop and girl settle the payments privately.

   Shops that use this method tend to have connections in the background.

4. Service Process

1. If you have a reservation, after arriving at the station, you can call the shop and they will send a car to pick you up.

2. Upon arrival at the shop, they will take you to a waiting room and offer you a towel and a drink.

3. If you have made a reservation, you just need to wait for the girl to get ready. If not, you can select a girl by looking at pictures.

4. Pay the entrance fee or total fee, depending on the shop.

5. After the girl is ready, she will take you to the room.

6. The girl will kneel and introduce herself.

7. Typically, she will give you a quick rinse, and then you will move to the bathtub.

8. On the air mattress, you and the girl will work together to complete a difficult task.