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Common Japanese words you will see before visiting a soapland in Japan. Tap 🔊 next to any word to hear the Japanese pronunciation. This page only explains the terms.
Contents · Quick term finder
1. Booking and fees
入浴料
にゅうよくりょう nyūyoku-ryō ｜ bathing fee
The fee for the venue, paid to the shop. Together with the service fee it makes up the total price. At licensed shops you always pay it to the staff at the front desk after you arrive.
Related: Soapland basics
サービス料
さーびすりょう sābisu-ryō ｜ service fee
The other part of the total price. At licensed shops it is collected by the staff at the front desk, just like the bathing fee. You do not hand it to the hostess in the room.
Related: Soapland basics
総額
そうがく sōgaku ｜ total price
The bathing fee plus the service fee. When you look at prices on an official website, first check whether the price shown is the total.
Related: Soapland basics
指名料
しめいりょう shimei-ryō ｜ nomination fee
The extra charge for choosing a specific hostess by name. It differs from shop to shop; go by the menu at the shop or on its official website.
Related: Soapland basics
写真指名
しゃしんしめい shashin shimei ｜ photo nomination
On your first visit, you choose a hostess from the photos on the official website or at the shop.
Related: Soapland basics
本指名
ほんしめい hon shimei ｜ repeat nomination
After you have met a hostess, choosing the same hostess again next time is charged as a repeat nomination fee. The amount differs by shop; check with our support team when you book.
Related: Soapland basics
フリー
ふりー furī ｜ no nomination
You do not choose a hostess; the shop assigns one who is free at that time. Prices differ by shop and are as published by the shop.
Related: Soapland basics
予約
よやく yoyaku ｜ booking
High-end shops almost always require advance booking. Foreign guests can book through LeLe TV.
Related: How to book
当日予約
とうじつよやく tōjitsu yoyaku ｜ same-day booking
Calling on the day to book a time slot for that same day. Popular hostesses are often fully booked on the day.
Related: How to book
延長
えんちょう enchō ｜ extension
Adding time after the booked period ends. High-end shops do allow extensions, but everything runs on bookings, so if the hostess has another customer afterwards, the extension may be declined. It is best to state the length you want when you book.
Related: Soapland basics
コース
こーす kōsu ｜ course (length of visit)
Prices are set in tiers such as 60, 90 and 120 minutes.
Related: Soapland basics
カード払い
かーどばらい kādo-barai ｜ pay by card
About 80% of shops accept card or QR-code payment; at shops without a payment terminal you pay an extra 20%–30% fee. The safest option is to bring cash in Japanese yen.
Related: Soapland basics
2. Shops and staff
ソープランド
そーぷらんど sōpurando ｜ soapland
Shops in Japan with a fixed storefront that receive customers in private rooms with a bathroom. They are concentrated mainly in Yoshiwara in Tokyo, Kawasaki and a few other areas.
Related: Soapland basics
吉原
よしわら Yoshiwara ｜ Yoshiwara
The soapland district in Taito City, Tokyo, with the largest number of high-end shops.
Related: Yoshiwara shops Rokumeikan
大衆店
たいしゅうてん taishū-ten ｜ budget shop
A shop with a lower total price and shorter visits.
Related: Soapland basics
中級店
ちゅうきゅうてん chūkyū-ten ｜ mid-range shop
A shop in the middle range for both price and visit length.
Related: Soapland basics
高級店
こうきゅうてん kōkyū-ten ｜ high-end shop
A shop with a higher total price, longer visits, and careful attention to decor and service. Almost all of them work by advance booking.
Related: Yoshiwara shops Shop profile
姫
ひめ hime ｜ hostess (hime)
The word shops use for their hostesses.
ボーイ
ぼーい bōi ｜ male staff
The male staff who greet customers, show them the way and take payment.
Related: Soapland basics
在籍
ざいせき zaiseki ｜ on the roster
The list of hostesses registered to work at the shop.
Related: Example shop page
出勤
しゅっきん shukkin ｜ on shift
A hostess working that day. The schedule on the official website shows who is in on which day and at what times.
Related: Yoshiwara shops Soapland basics
新人
しんじん shinjin ｜ newcomer
A hostess who has just joined the shop. Many shops mark newcomers specially.
Related: Example shop page
ランキング
らんきんぐ rankingu ｜ popularity ranking
A popularity ranking of hostesses made by the shop. Each shop ranks differently; go by what the shop publishes.
送迎
そうげい sōgei ｜ pickup service
Some shops run pickups from fixed points at Nippori Station East Exit and Minowa Station, but fewer shops do this now, and they do not pick up from the airport. Whether pickup is available is as announced by each shop.
Related: Shop profile Soapland basics
3. Services (brief explanations only)
入浴
にゅうよく nyūyoku ｜ bathing
Taking a bath together after entering the room. This is the basic flow.
Related: Soapland basics
マット
まっと matto ｜ mat (air mat)
A service unique to soaplands, done on an inflatable mat.
Related: Soapland basics
潜望鏡
せんぼうきょう senbōkyō ｜ periscope
A traditional item done in the bathtub. Details are as explained by each shop.
歯磨き・うがい
はみがき・うがい hamigaki / ugai ｜ brushing teeth and rinsing
Customers are asked to brush their teeth and rinse their mouth before starting. This is basic courtesy.
Related: Soapland basics
オプション
おぷしょん opushon ｜ add-ons
Items that cost extra. Go by what is stated on the official website.
Related: Soapland basics
二輪車
にりんしゃ nirinsha ｜ two hostesses
Two hostesses attend to one customer together. Many shops offer this. The fee is charged for two, that is, the single price ×2. Confirm with our support team in advance.
Related: Soapland basics
即尺
そくしゃく sokushaku ｜ sokushaku
Refers to a service that starts right after entering the room.
4. Facilities and equipment
スケベ椅子
すけべいす sukebe-isu ｜ bath chair
A bath stool with a groove in the middle, a signature soapland item. Also called "くぐり椅子".
Related: Soapland basics
ローション
ろーしょん rōshon ｜ lotion
The lotion used for the mat service, usually mixed with hot water.
Related: Soapland basics
浴槽
よくそう yokusō ｜ bathtub
The large bathtub in the room.
Related: Soapland basics
待合室
まちあいしつ machiai-shitsu ｜ waiting room
Where you wait for your hostess after arriving. Drinks are usually provided.
Related: Soapland basics
個室
こしつ koshitsu ｜ private room
The private room each hostess uses, with its own bathroom.
Related: Soapland basics
受付
うけつけ uketsuke ｜ front desk
When you arrive, you give your booking name and pay here first.
Related: Soapland basics
店舗入口
てんぽいりぐち tenpo iriguchi ｜ shop entrance
Shop entrances in Yoshiwara usually have an illuminated sign; each shop looks different.
Related: Moulin Rouge
5. Rules and etiquette
外国人NG
がいこくじんえぬじー gaikokujin enu-jī ｜ no foreign customers
Some shops do not accept foreign customers. The shops LeLe TV works with do accept them.
Related: Yoshiwara shops Soapland basics
日本語必須
にほんごひっす nihongo hissu ｜ Japanese required
Some shops require customers to be able to communicate in Japanese.
Related: Soapland basics
会員
かいいん kaiin ｜ member
On your first visit you register as a member. Usually you only leave a name and phone number; no passport or ID is needed.
Related: Soapland basics
18歳未満禁止
じゅうはっさいみまんきんし jūhassai miman kinshi ｜ no entry under 18
No one under 18 may enter the shop.
Related: Soapland basics
泥酔NG
でいすいえぬじー deisui enu-jī ｜ no drunk customers
A little alcohol is fine, but the shop has the right to refuse customers who are very drunk or cause trouble.
Related: Soapland basics
キャンセル
きゃんせる kyanseru ｜ cancellation
If you need to cancel, get in touch as early as possible. For a confirmed booking made through LeLe TV, you get a full refund if the cancellation is for shop-side reasons, such as the hostess taking the day off; for any other reason there is no refund.
Related: How to book
衛生
えいせい eisei ｜ hygiene
Shops take hygiene seriously, and customers should also be clean and have trimmed nails.
Related: Soapland basics
撮影禁止
さつえいきんし satsuei kinshi ｜ no photos
Taking photos or videos inside the shop is not allowed.
Related: Soapland basics
FAQ
Who do I pay at a soapland?
At licensed shops, both the bathing fee and the service fee are collected by the staff at the front desk. You do not hand money to the hostess in the room.
How much is a nomination fee?
It differs from shop to shop; go by the menu at the shop or on its official website.
Can I extend my time at a high-end shop?
Yes, but everything runs on bookings, so if the hostess has another booking afterwards, the extension may be declined.
Do I need a passport to become a member?
Usually not. You only need to leave a name and a phone number.
