SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Why Japanese Nightlife’s “Attention Economy” Is Better Than Sex
Why do people in Japan pay so much for non-sexual companionship? A look at how an industry born in the Edo Era…
nightlife
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Is Kabukicho Safe? How to Navigate Tokyo’s Raucous Nightlife District
The answer is yes - but you should be aware of a few rules and these common traps before stepping foot inside…
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Japan Tried to End the Host Club to Sex Work Pipeline. It Hasn’t Worked
It's been a year since the crackdown, but data show that host clubs haven't changed. If anything, some say they've become "more…
INSIDER
[Insider] The Three Tactics Japan’s Hosts Use to Saddle Women with Soul-Crushing Debt
The rules and agreements meant to help save women from the worst abuses aren't helping, as clubs have already figured out a…
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Happening Bars: A Guide to Japan’s Hidden Sex Hotspots
What are happening bars? What actually "happens" in one? And the bigger question as a foreigner in Japan: Will they even allow…
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
21 Soaplands Shut Overnight, Leaving Japanese Sex Workers High and Dry
The incident highlights the shift in sex-related businesses in Japan - and the precarious situation of sex workers.
HISTORY
Shinjuku: The History and Origins of the World’s Biggest Nightlife District
The world's largest nightlife district, Shinjuku is nearly synonymous with Tokyo itself - yet wasn't even part of old Tokyo. Where do…
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Maid Cafes vs. Con Cafes vs. Girls’ Bars: What They Are (and Whether You Can Go)
There are more kawaii cafes and bars in Japan than you can shake a stick at. Here's a guide to what each…