Definitions for terms you'll encounter in Japan's nightlife scene: shimei (nomination), dohan, after-hours, and more.
VIP
VIP
A status for premium members offering exclusive treatment and priority service. Often comes with a separate fee structure and perks distinct from nomination or companion charges.
ぼったくり
ぼったくり
A term for establishments or practices that charge exorbitant, dishonest prices, often targeting tourists unfamiliar with local pricing.
ぼったくり店
ぼったくり店
A rip-off store is a malicious establishment that charges exorbitant fees to customers, often through deceptive pricing or coercion.
オプション
オプション
An option is an additional paid service or add-on that can be selected on top of the base fee.
オプション料
オプション料
An additional charge for extra services beyond the base fee, set per nomination or optional service.
オーナー
オーナー
The proprietor or operator of an adult nightlife establishment, responsible for overall management and business decisions.
キャンセル
キャンセル
The act of canceling a reservation or nomination. In Japan nightlife, cancellation policies vary by venue and service type.
キャンセル料
キャンセル料
A fee charged when a reservation or nomination is canceled. Terms and amounts vary by venue and service type.
キャンペーン
キャンペーン
A campaign is a limited-time special offer from a venue, such as discounted nomination fees or extended service time.
クレジットカード
クレジットカード
Credit cards are a widely accepted payment method at nightlife venues across Japan.
サービス料
サービス料
A mandatory charge automatically added to the bill at many Japanese nightlife venues, typically covering table service and ambiance.
サービス料
サービス料
An automatic fee added to food, drink, or service bills, typically separate from cover charges or table fees.
シャワー
シャワー
Shower refers to the facility and time provided at adult venues for customers to wash before or after the service.
スカウト
スカウト
A scout is an industry term for a person who solicits customers or recruits cast members on the street or via social media.
スカウトマン
スカウトマン
A scout man is a person who approaches women on the street, typically in entertainment districts, to recruit them for adult nightlife venues such as soaplands or hostess clubs.
デリヘル
デリヘル
A dispatch-style adult service where a female staff member visits a location of your choosing—typically a hotel or private residence.
ドカベン
ドカベン
Dokaben is a slang term in the adult nightlife industry for a customer who becomes overly attached to a specific cast member, spending excessive money and time.
ドレスコード
ドレスコード
The set of clothing rules or recommended styles for entering nightlife venues in Japan.
ネット予約
ネット予約
Online booking allows customers to reserve services in advance through a website or dedicated form, rather than by phone.
ネット指名
ネット指名
A system that allows customers to reserve a specific cast member online before visiting the venue. Procedures and conditions vary by shop and service type.
パネル
パネル
A photo display of cast members posted inside a soapland, used by customers to choose who to nominate.
ピンサロ
ピンサロ
A quick, budget-friendly adult venue where you sit beside the cast on a sofa for a short session. Convenience is the name of the game.
フリー
フリー
A system where no nomination fee is required, allowing customers to freely choose a cast member. Ideal for first-time visitors or those looking for a casual experience.
プレイ
プレイ
Play is the industry term in Japan's adult entertainment world for the scope of services included in the fee.
ヘルス
ヘルス
Health is a private-room adult service category in Japan, often called fashion health or pink health. It offers a more accessible and affordable alternative to soaplands.
ホテルヘルス
ホテルヘルス
Hotel Health is a delivery health service where the session takes place at a designated hotel rather than a shop or home.
ポイント
ポイント
A points system offered by venues or services, which can be used for payments or exchanged for perks, similar to cash or tickets.
マット
マット
Mat play is a type of service offered in soaplands and similar establishments, involving the use of a specialized mat.
予約
予約
The act of securing a table or time slot in advance. In Japanese nightlife, many venues require a reservation for entry.
交通費
交通費
A transportation fee covers the actual cost incurred by the cast to travel to the meeting point or service location.
人気嬢
人気嬢
A term for a female staff member who is particularly popular, receiving a high volume of nominations and reservations.
個室
個室
A private room is a service format where you have your own enclosed space, separate from other guests, offering complete privacy for your party.
入会金
入会金
A membership fee is an upfront payment required to join a membership-based venue or club in Japan.
写メ
写メ
A service where a cast member sends a message with a personal photo, often used as a prelude to nomination or a date.
写メ日記
写メ日記
A blog-style feature where cast members post daily photos and updates on the shop's official site or portal, used as a tool for customers to choose whom to nominate or book.
写真NG
写真NG
A warning indicating that photography is strictly prohibited within the venue.
写真指名
写真指名
Photo nomination is a system where customers select a cast member by viewing photos or profiles provided by the establishment.
初回
初回
First Visit refers to the industry term for a customer's initial visit to a specific venue or with a specific cast member. It may affect nomination options and pricing structures.
割引
割引
A reduction in the standard fee, often applied based on time of day, day of week, referral, or membership status.
受付
受付
The staff or process at the entrance of a venue that greets customers, handles check-in, and provides initial guidance.
受付嬢
受付嬢
A female staff member who greets customers at the entrance and handles reception duties.
口コミ
口コミ
Reviews are firsthand accounts and ratings posted by customers who have visited a venue.
場内指名
場内指名
A system where a customer selects a specific cast member present in the venue. A nomination fee applies and directly contributes to the cast member's income.
場所代
場所代
The basic fee charged for using a venue, equivalent to a cover charge or table charge paid upon entry.
常連
常連
A regular customer who repeatedly visits the same venue or requests the same cast member, a cornerstone of Japanese nightlife loyalty culture.
店舗型
店舗型
Store-based (tenpo-gata) refers to a type of adult entertainment business that operates from a fixed physical location, as opposed to delivery or outcall services.
延長
延長
Extending the service beyond the scheduled time, incurring additional charges.
延長料
延長料
An additional charge incurred when a session or service continues beyond the originally agreed time.
待機
待機
Standby refers to the state where cast members wait inside the venue, ready for nominations or call-outs.
性感マッサージ
性感マッサージ
Erotic massage is a service category in Japan where massage is combined with sexual stimulation, typically operating under adult entertainment regulations.
抜き打ち
抜き打ち
An unexpected additional fee charged without prior notice. In the adult nightlife industry, this often refers to surprise charges added after a service, leading to disputes.
指名
指名
Nomination is a system where a customer selects a specific cast member to provide their service.
指名料
指名料
A nomination fee is an additional charge incurred when requesting a specific cast member or staff by name.
新人
新人
A term for a staff member or female attendant who has recently debuted and is still inexperienced.
本コース
本コース
A full course is the most comprehensive service plan offered by a venue. It typically includes the base fee plus nomination fees and options, and tends to be the highest-priced option.
本指名
本指名
Full nomination is a system where a customer requests a cast member they have previously been serviced by.
派遣
派遣
A service model where a cast member is dispatched to a designated location outside the venue. The customer receives the service at a hotel, private residence, or other agreed place rather than at the
深夜営業
深夜営業
Late-night hours refer to nightlife establishments in Japan that operate from late evening into the early morning, often until 5:00 AM or later.
現金
現金
In Japan, many nightlife establishments operate on a cash-only basis. Credit cards and electronic payments may not be accepted, so it is advisable to carry sufficient cash and confirm payment methods
看板娘
看板娘
The distinctive female cast member who serves as the face of the establishment, drawing in customers.
箱ヘル
箱ヘル
Box Health is a type of store-front health (fashion health) where services are provided in a space partitioned by simple dividers or curtains rather than a private room.
追い出し
追い出し
A situation where a venue asks a customer to leave, often due to nomination disputes, payment issues, or disruptive behavior.
送迎
送迎
A service where the venue or cast provides transportation to and from a designated location.
違法店
違法店
A warning term in Japan's adult nightlife industry referring to establishments operating without proper permits or violating the Entertainment Business Law.
領収書
領収書
A formal proof of payment issued by the venue. In Japanese nightlife, a receipt itemizes the total amount including service charges and consumption tax.
