New law means that one of the host club industry’s standard marketing ploys is now illegal.
hosts
Why is self-censoring tape appearing all over Tokyo’s host club ads?【Photos】
-
Casey Baseel
Jul 22, 2025 - Tweet
- Japan
- (crime • host bars • host clubs • hostess barsm • hostess clubs • hostesses • hosts • society)
Japanese host and host clubs no longer allowed to take advantage of customer’s romantic feelings
-
Casey Baseel
May 23, 2025
New law seeks to address women being pressured into prostitution to pay off host club debt.
- Japan
- (crime • host bars • host clubs • hostess bars • hostess clubs • hostesses • hosts • society)
What do hosts in Kabukicho eat after a night of working in Tokyo’s red-light district?
-
Oona McGee
Feb 8, 2024
“Earn your own money, you jackasses!” host billboard appears above lottery ticket shop in Tokyo
-
Casey Baseel
Dec 23, 2023
- Japan
- (COK • crazy • funny • host clubs • hosts • lottery • Nenmatsu Jumbo • SNJO • takarakuji • weird • year-end lottery)
Why is there a wrestling ring in the Underground Arena fighting bar in Kabukicho?
-
Oona McGee
Jan 28, 2023
- Japan
- (bars • COK • fighting • host bars • hostess bars • hosts • izakaya • Kabukicho • Kamurocho • pro wrestling • professional wrestling • restaurants • Sega • shinjuku • SNJO • Tokyo • video game • wrestling • yakuza)
Back when she was younger she couldn’t get away from them, so we visit a host club to find out what’s going on.
- Japan
- (COK • crime • host bars • hostess bars • hosts • Ikuna Kamezawa • Kabukicho • Kamurocho • Like a Dragon • Mr. Sato • Ryu ga Gotoku • Sega • shinjuku • SNJO • Tokyo • video game • yakuza)
How do Japan’s host club hosts get their professional names? We talk with five Kabukicho pros
-
SoraNews24
Apr 30, 2022
Tokyo store that only sells black shirts sheds light on why it’s opening mid-pandemic
-
Katy Kelly
May 6, 2021
We chat with the minds behind this specialty store about its unusually uniform niche and learn to appreciate the plain.
Host club royalty Roland demonstrates his night-time routine, claims it’s not dissimilar to yours
-
Katy Kelly
Mar 17, 2021
Japan’s infamous host shows off his down-to-earth night-time regimen and his luxurious home.
Roland, king of Japan’s host club scene, shows us his self-isolation routine【Video】
-
Katy Kelly
May 9, 2020
The King of Hosts shows us his daily routine now that he can’t greet his clients…and also tells us who his favorite Love Live! girl is.
- Japan
- (funny • Handsome men • host bars • hosts • King of the Hosts • love live • Roland • stay home • video)
Host clubs go digital in the wake of business closures with live-streaming app toU
-
Dale Roll
Apr 16, 2020
The clubs themselves might be closed, but you can still spend time with your favorite host, even if you can’t physically be with him.
- Japan
- (app • coronavirus • COVID-19 • host clubs • hosts • influencer • live stream)
- Japan
- (beauty • celebrities • Handsome men • host bars • host club • hosts • morning routine • Roland • skincare • videos • YouTube)
Tokyo host club host headbutts woman after being told he “sucks” at karaoke
-
Casey Baseel
Oct 24, 2019
Japan’s host club king wants to sell you some US$490 hair product in a tiny, tiny bottle
-
Casey Baseel
May 12, 2019
Roland also has a “must-have” hangover cure that can be yours for just a little over 100 bucks.
- Japan
- (beauty • COK • crazy • hairstyling • Handsome men • host bars • hosts • Roland)
Handsome host sushi bar opens in Tokyo with 14-year host veteran pressing the pieces
-
Casey Baseel
May 7, 2019
Tokyo’s biggest club district has an all-night sushi joint where the chef is also a working host.
- Japan
- (COK • food • Handsome men • host bars • hosts • Kabukicho • restaurants • SNOJ • sushi)
Roland, King of the Hosts, has his own museum exhibition now, shows off hostdom and catchphrases
-
Dale Roll
Feb 21, 2019
- Japan
- (exhibit • host clubs • hosts • Ikebukuro • King of the Hosts • PARCO Musuem • Roland)
Homeless dropout becomes Lamborghini-driving ladies’ man and top host in Kabukicho 【Video】
-
Oona McGee
Dec 10, 2018
Akaya Kunugi owes it all to his rich “princesses” who spend up to US$35,000 a night on him.
- Japan
- (Asian Boss • Handsome men • host clubs • hosts • Kabukicho • nightlife • shinjuku • Tokyo • Tokyo nightlife)
Tokyo host club opens its doors to female cosplayers for special photo shoot event
-
Casey Baseel
Oct 25, 2018
Afternoon, alcohol-free open house provides luxurious backdrops, chance to chat and snap photos with hosts.
- Japan
- (cosplay • events • Handsome men • host clubs • hosts • Kabukicho • Tokyo)
-
Recent Posts
- Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
- Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
- Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
- Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
- New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Real-world Gundam rations now on sale in Japan【Photos】
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Coca-Cola Japan releases new clear coke this month, we get to try it before it goes on sale
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Weekly
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Monthly
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Coca-Cola Japan releases new clear coke this month, we get to try it before it goes on sale
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
We check out the new apartment building construction site area that opened in KidZania Tokyo
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Yakko Welsh Onion Tossing World Championships held in Kochi Prefecture
-
Categories
Archives



















