Venue types
Soapland, health, pink salon?
Japan splits its adult industry into types by law, and each has its own format, price and rules. Here's what each one actually is.
One rule applies to all of them: prostitution is illegal in Japan, and venues other than soaplands do not offer intercourse. Asking for it is the quickest way to be refused or banned.
- Where
- A private room with a bath, at the venue
- Typical length
- 60–120 min
- Typical price
- ¥20,000–¥100,000+
The top tier of Japan's adult industry and the only one built around a full bathing experience. Most are clustered in Yoshiwara. Price rises with the length of the course and the class of the house — the luxury venues run two hours and include drinks and a car from the station.
74 listed →- Where
- Your hotel room
- Typical length
- 60–120 min
- Typical price
- ¥23,000–¥60,000
You book by phone or message and a companion comes to your hotel. The easiest option for visitors — there is no door to be turned away at. Intercourse is not part of the service. Check first that your hotel allows visitors; many business hotels don't.
294 listed →- Where
- A private room with a shower, at the venue
- Typical length
- 30–60 min
- Typical price
- ¥8,000–¥30,000
A shop with small private rooms. Intimate services without intercourse, shorter and cheaper than a soapland. Walk in, choose a course at reception, wait a few minutes.
15 listed →- Where
- A nearby love hotel
- Typical length
- 45–90 min
- Typical price
- ¥12,000–¥35,000 + hotel
You check in at a reception office, then go to a love hotel nearby and your companion joins you there. Same services as a fashion health. Budget ¥3,000–¥5,000 for the room. Uguisudani and Ikebukuro are the hubs.
27 listed →- Where
- A semi-open booth in a dim room
- Typical length
- 20–40 min
- Typical price
- ¥3,000–¥10,000
The cheapest and quickest. Booth seating in a loud, dark room, oral service only, no shower. Very few pink salons accept foreigners, and some state outright that they don't.
- Where
- A small private room
- Typical length
- 20–60 min
- Typical price
- ¥5,000–¥15,000
Manual service only, and staff usually stay clothed. Popular with first-timers because the rules are simple and the price is low.
- Where
- A massage room or your hotel
- Typical length
- 60–120 min
- Typical price
- ¥10,000–¥30,000
An oil massage from a female therapist. Most are officially non-sexual massage shops, and asking for more can get you thrown out. Only shops licensed as adult businesses offer a “finish” — the listings here say which.
- Where
- Themed rooms at the venue, or a hotel
- Typical length
- 60–120 min
- Typical price
- ¥15,000–¥40,000
Role-play (image club) or BDSM (SM club) with set rules agreed at reception. Niche, and English support is rare.
Soapland FAQ
What is a soapland?
The top tier of Japan's adult industry and the only one built around a full bathing experience. Most are clustered in Yoshiwara. Price rises with the length of the course and the class of the house — the luxury venues run two hours and include drinks and a car from the station.
Do soaplands in Tokyo accept foreigners?
Some do. This guide lists 74 soaplands in Tokyo that accept foreign guests, each with the source we checked. 14 of them charge foreign guests more or use a separate price list, so check the notes on each venue before you go.
How much does a soapland cost?
Among the 74 listed soaplands, the cheapest course starts at ¥14,600 and the most expensive starting price is ¥120,000. Half of them start at ¥40,000 or less. The price rises with the length of the course and the class of the house.
Where are the soaplands in Tokyo?
By area: Yoshiwara 46, Ikebukuro 12, Shinjuku 10, Elsewhere in Tokyo 3, Asakusa 1, Gotanda 1, Near Haneda 1. Most are in Yoshiwara, north of Asakusa.
How do I get to Yoshiwara?
27 of the 46 Yoshiwara soaplands listed here offer pickup from nearby stations — ask when you book. Otherwise take a short taxi ride from Asakusa.