Happening Bars

[Browse the Happening Bar category here]

Everything below is subject to small variations and exceptions from one place to the next, but tends to apply to most places…

  • Mainly geared at couples and single women, though single men are also allowed (for a steep mark up). “Couple Kissa” is a sub-category that only allow couples.
  • Entrance fee varies depending on a number of factors (venue, day, time, gender…), but is generally in the vicinity of ¥5-10k for couples, more-or-less double for single men, and quasi-free for women.
  • A “sign-up” fee (usually similar amount to the entrance fee) is usually required on the first visit…
  • For legal loopholish reasons, Happ bars are “private members clubs”, and will deliver a membership card on the first visit. In order to deliver that membership card, they will check your ID (at minimum a passport, or a local piece of Japanese ID).
  • In order to limit the risk of undercover cops, a lot of places also ask for a Japanese health insurance card (which states the name of the employer). Sorry, visiting tourists friends.
  • The vast majority of Happening Bars will require at least one Japanese speaker present during sign-up, to translate all explanations and rules to non-speakers. Many will require everyone to be somewhat proficient.
  • Guests are expected to ring at the door and announce themselves through the speakerphone (staff will check the CCTV camera to avoid undesirable guests).
  • Happ bars are not exactly legal, legal (then again, neither is prostitution, despite what a short walk through Kabukicho would lead you to think), and every once in a long while, they will get raided (presumably when someone forgets to pay their monthly protection money to the local koban). If a [very remote but non-zero] chance of facing public indecency charges in Japan would ruin your political career: best stay away.

Inside

  • Standard set-up usually includes:
    • a locker area
    • a bar area with a counter, sofas and coffee tables
    • play area(s), with various nooks and crannies for spectators
    • shower(s)
  • Like most of Japan, the bar area often allows smoking (and there will be people smoking). Fortunately with good ventilation nowadays.
  • The bar will serve (mediocre) drinks and (often worse) food. Most places work on an all-you-can-drink pricing (nomihodai) included in the entrance fee. Some will have 1 drink free and charge the rest.
  • Places will have a number of cosplay and other fetish gear to borrow. A few might have some BDSM gear.
  • Play areas vary in size, style and conditions, but tend to not be privacy-oriented (amenities for people to peep from inside or outside the room).

People

  • Demographics and attendance vary hugely between places, time-of-day, day-of-week etc. There is always a non-zero chance that a place will be near-empty on a random evening.
  • Friday and Saturday evenings (before last train) are generally the most-reliably crowded times (too crowded, on rare occasions).
  • Places that allow single men, will often have a number of old geezers sitting at the bar and/or peeping on whatever action might happen in the play areas. Somewhat creepy peeping toms aren’t rare.
  • Unsurprisingly, the few places that are English-friendly will tend to have a large number of foreign expats and foreign tourists (sometimes in the majority).

Dos & Don’ts

  • Use basic decency, courtesy and common sense: ask before touching anyone for any reason. Consent violations will get you kicked out. Typical Japanese politeness extends to this type of place, and being a rude dickhead will get you ostracised (and left at the door the next time around).
  • Leave all your belongings in the lockers at the entrance, including your phone. For obvious reasons, phones are strictly forbidden inside, but it’s usually OK to go back to the locker area to check/use your phone.
  • It is generally bad etiquette (and explicitly forbidden by most places) to ask for people’s contact details. If you are confident the person is keen on exchanging info, do it discreetly.
  • Bars have different rules on what amount of playing can take place where. Some are anything-goes-anywhere, others will require you to move to the designated area if things get heated.

Misc Tips

  • Bring a few ¥100 coins for the lockers.
  • Most bars’ website have a BBS where people announce their visit a few hours ahead (some will give a discount for posting beforehand). They are both a good way to gauge potential attendance, and to encourage more people to join if you are planning to go. Obviously, Japanese is a must, but DeepL/ChatGPT should sort you with a halfway-decent message. Typical messages are along the line of “Hi, we are so-and-so/couple/etc, we are planning to come over tonight around 6pm. See you there!”…
  • Bars will usually provide condoms, but you may want to bring your own, if Japanese brands aren’t your thing.
  • Bars tend to advertise a number of “parties” and special nights on their websites. These are mostly BS filler, with recurrent events scheduled on repeat every week/months. At most a gentle suggestion toward certain themes (BDSM, couples…), very rarely a strong indicator of what will actually be taking place on that night.