Sendai

Step out of Sendai Station and you feel the air of Tohoku's biggest city. Business districts and shopping malls spread out, but the night has a different face. One stop on the Tozai subway line, or a 15-minute walk, brings you to Kokubuncho, the city's nightlife center.

Kokubuncho is an entertainment district stretching north-south, with Kokubuncho-dori as its main artery and countless alleys branching off. Restaurants and clubs jostle for space, and adult venues are densely packed. Around the station, hotel districts host hotel health shops and erotic massage places.

The adult scene centers on Kokubuncho. Soaplands range from high-end to budget, about 20 shops, with prices from ¥10,000 to over ¥30,000 per hour. Delivery health has dozens of shops, mostly dispatching to hotels. Fashion health shops are common in buildings near the station, offering affordable rates. Pink salons concentrate in the back alleys of Kokubuncho, with short sessions and low prices.

Hotel health operates around love hotel districts near the station's east exit and Kokubuncho. Erotic massage (esthe) shops, a handful, focus on oil massage. Overall, it's the largest scale in Tohoku, but not as dense as Tokyo or Osaka. Prices are standard for a regional city, and shops catering to foreigners are limited.

Access: on foot or subway from Sendai Station. For Kokubuncho, the Tozai Line's Kotodai Koen Station is convenient. Business hours vary: soaplands open from afternoon to late night, delivery health from evening to late night. Fridays and Saturdays are busy.

Foreigner acceptance depends on the shop. Many refuse if you don't speak Japanese. Check by phone or email beforehand. Cash is king; card acceptance is low. Kokubuncho has foot traffic until late, but be cautious in alleys.