Tachikawa

Exiting Tachikawa Station's north exit, the square is a mix of people meeting up and touts calling out. Among the buildings near the station, small signs stand out more than neon lights. This is the center of adult entertainment in western Tokyo.

Tachikawa is a transport hub for the Tama area, where the JR Chuo, Nambu, and Ome lines intersect. Adult shops and love hotels are scattered within walking distance of the station, especially concentrated in the back streets on the north side. The south side is a business district that quiets down at night.

The adult scene in Tachikawa is dominated by delivery health and hotel health. There are no soaplands or pink salons. Delivery health services are often dispatched to hotels around the station, with prices ranging from ¥12,000 to ¥20,000 for 60 minutes. Hotel health uses nearby love hotels and has similar pricing. An estimated 50 to 70 shops operate here, offering plenty of choice.

Some esthetic massage shops also exist, offering services from oil massage to full intercourse. However, acceptance of foreign customers varies by shop, and you may be turned away if you don't speak Japanese. Shops with English support are limited.

Access: about 40 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Chuo Line Rapid, or about 30 minutes from Shinjuku. Business hours are generally from noon to midnight, with weekends being busier. It's best to book in advance by phone or LINE.

A word of caution: there are many touts around Tachikawa Station, so beware of persistent solicitation. Also, delivery health may require a separate hotel fee. For first-timers, it's advisable to get information from the information center near the station or choose a shop from a reliable website.