Yoshiwara

Yoshiwara is Tokyo's designated soapland district in Minami-Senju, north of the city centre — a 20-minute metro ride from Shinjuku. It's the oldest and most established of Tokyo's adult entertainment zones, operating since the Edo period in various forms. Today it houses over 60 soapland establishments in a concentrated area.

Soaplands charge by the session rather than by time spent. Entry pricing starts around 15,000 JPY for the basic tier and climbs to 60,000 JPY for premium establishments. The women working here are professionals in the Japanese sense — service is conducted with the same care and attention to detail that characterises everything else in Japanese professional culture.

Foreigner access to Yoshiwara soaplands is inconsistent — some establishments accept foreign customers, many do not. Going with a Japanese-speaking companion significantly increases access. Yoshiwara operates more discreetly than Kabukicho; the street-level signage is modest and the whole area has a quiet, businesslike atmosphere.