Low-Cost Entertainment Establishment Thrives Amid Historic Price Hikes in the Adult Industry

“The wave of ‘price hikes’ is affecting unexpected industries as well.”

Due to historical yen depreciation and soaring raw material and labor costs, an unprecedented wave of price hikes is occurring. Recently, Teikoku Databank announced that in September, 195 major food manufacturers would raise prices on 1,392 food items. It’s not just food; prices for electricity, gas, train fares, insurance, and virtually everything else are also rising.

Rising prices are actually affecting some unexpected industries, including the “sex industry.” Sex industry journalist Akira Ikoma explains:

“From October 1st, the high-end soapland ‘Hakata Albatross’ in Fukuoka Nakasu will raise its prices, with the 120-minute standard course increasing from 78,000 yen to 83,000 yen, a 5,000 yen hike. The affiliated establishments ‘Hakata Blue Chateau,’ ‘Royal Blue Chateau,’ and ‘Royal Club La Tache’ are also set to increase their prices simultaneously.”

Why is the sex industry unable to escape this wave of price hikes?

“The rising costs of living have led to increases in rent, labor costs, utility expenses, and other overheads, resulting in a nationwide wave of price hikes, particularly for storefront sex establishments. While some businesses are making efforts to maintain their prices, they are likely stretching themselves thin. Depending on future global conditions, further price increases may occur.”

Even in the current situation affecting the sex industry, there is a sector that is thriving by going against the trend and promoting “extremely low prices.” This sector is known as “onacura” (masturbation clubs).

Low-priced shops create a “win-win” situation for both the businesses and the customers.

“Onacura” refers to sex establishments primarily focused on hand services. The women typically adhere to a policy of “not undressing, not licking, and not being touched,” making it an easier working environment that attracts many women with little experience in the sex industry.

Initially, the concept involved women watching male customers masturbate, but now most establishments offer courses or options where women provide hand services.

For customers, both options are popular due to their low prices and the opportunity to engage with women who have a more amateur feel. From the store’s perspective, attracting customers at low prices increases turnover rates. Additionally, since the services are soft, costs for supplies like towels can be reduced, and it’s easier to recruit women, which helps keep labor costs down.

 

“The storefront ‘Onacura’ establishment ‘2980 yen’ in Fukuoka Nakasu opened its fourth location on July 29, maintaining a low-price, high-volume business model without raising prices amid rising costs, and steadily increasing its number of stores. Additionally, the storefront ‘Onacura’ shop ‘Yokohama Cute’ opened its second location, ‘Yokohama Cute PLUS,’ on July 1, which has increased the number of available rooms. New mobile ‘Onacura’ shops are also emerging one after another.” (Ikoma)

The influx of customers to “low-priced shops” may be an inevitable trend in this era of inflation.

In the paid version of ‘FRIDAYGOLD,’ Ikoma details a ranked list of 73 “low-priced sex shops” across the country.