Things to Keep in Mind When Exploring Japan's Red-Light Districts

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To enjoy your time in Japan's red-light districts, keep the following four points in mind.

Red-light districts and the establishments within them are considered somewhat special places in the minds of the Japanese.

Using them as you would a regular restaurant in the city might lead to unexpected issues, so be sure to keep these key points in mind.

1. Don’t Carry Large Amounts of Cash
Red-light districts are usually located near or in the same areas.

While Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, wallets can still be stolen in crowded places.

Take precautions, such as only carrying the amount of money you need or preparing multiple wallets to keep your cash separated.

Moreover, entertainment in these districts is often linked to human desires.

You might want to spend as much as possible, like extending your time or adding options.

By only carrying the amount you plan to spend, you can enjoy yourself without regrets.

To be safe, prepare not just credit cards but also cash. Cash is the mainstream payment method in Japan’s adult entertainment venues.

In recent years, more shops have started accepting credit cards and electronic payments, but it’s still not common.

Especially in small shops and local red-light districts, cash transactions have often not yet been established.

I really look forward to engaging in adult entertainment, but if they only accept cash, I can't participate.

To avoid such situations, ensure you have enough cash on hand for your activities.

2. Soaplands and Health Shops Do Not Operate Late at Night (Midnight to 6 AM)
Establishments such as soaplands and fashion health services (including Tokuyoku) do not operate between midnight and 6 AM.

This is because Japanese law prohibits operations during those hours.

Most shops close by midnight, so make sure to check in no later than 11 PM.

If you plan to use these types of entertainment facilities, allocate enough time for your visit.

Additionally, not all shops open at 6 AM, so it’s best to check their operating hours beforehand.

There are many temporary adult entertainment businesses called “delivery health” that operate 24 hours a day.

We recommend deciding in advance the time and type of shop you wish to visit.

3. Confirm Whether Foreigners Are Allowed
Many adult entertainment establishments in Japan do not allow foreigners.

The reasoning behind this seems to be that Japan is an island nation with less contact with foreigners compared to other countries.

Many shops believe this helps avoid issues arising from language barriers or cultural differences with foreign customers.

Try to choose a sex shop that does not have a "No Foreigners Allowed" notice on its website or one listed as "traveler-friendly" near the station.

Summary: Understand Japan’s Red-Light Districts and Have Fun!
We’ve introduced some of the representative red-light districts across Japan.

Many of these districts are connected to city centers, so with a bit of research, getting there should be relatively easy.

However, there are still many places in Japan’s entertainment scene that do not accept non-Japanese customers.

First, narrow down the area you want to visit to avoid wanting to use a service but being refused.

Then, use “Near the Station! Adult Paradise” to check for shops that allow access to their services.

Furthermore, some rules regarding adult entertainment may differ from those in your country, so if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask the staff at the shops.

Enjoy exploring Japan's red-light districts and create wonderful memories!

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