Hap Bar’s Evolution from Enthusiastic Hangout to Disappointing Pickup Joint

The perverts’ ideal of a happening bar was being transformed, for better or worse, by money-grabbing operators.

“According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is known as a long-established establishment boasting 15 years of history. It attracts about 80 customers per day and reportedly generates annual sales of approximately 3 billion yen.”

“The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department estimates that ‘9259’ has generated approximately 137 million yen in sales since December 2020, primarily through social media and other online platforms.”

Behind the scenes, the perverts shed tears. The place became a profit-making encounter bar, and the maniacs went underground and stopped showing their faces. Kawaguchi, of course, says, “It would have been easy to make more money by expanding the scale or turning it into a dating bar.” However, Kawaguchi’s answer at the time was as follows.

“‘Being conspicuous is like broadcasting to the world that we’re engaging in lewd acts and making dirty money. Even if we invest a fortune to create luxurious establishments, if we get caught, we’ll lose everything. So, it’s better to maintain the status quo.'”

According to the active happening bar owner mentioned earlier, “There are 18 existing happening bars in Tokyo, but if we’re talking about pure happening bars, they can be counted on one hand.”

Taking into account this current situation, with the preface “It’s unfortunate for the business owners who are striving and exerting all their efforts in pursuit of an ideal,” Kawaguchi begins his discussion.

“I fear that the happening bar I created will be devoured by solo males and females within the next three years.”

In other words, Kawaguchi is singing the praises of the end of true happening bars in the near future.

Kawaguchi retired from the front lines of the industry three years ago yesterday when he realized this. While some owners are working hard to revive the happening bars in their original form, Kawaguchi is now running a bar in Kabukicho where there are no happenings.