This Discreet Industry Is Fueled by Tokyo’s Tourism Boom

Tokyo is a city that blends tradition, technology, and bright lights.

Tourists come from around the world to experience its culture, food, and famous sights.

But behind the neon glow, another part of the city is getting more attention. And it’s not something on travel brochures.

In Kabukicho, a busy neighborhood in western Tokyo, crowds often stop to take photos of the Godzilla statue.

Not far from there, a different scene plays out. Around Okubo Park, groups of young women stand quietly, waiting for clients. Many of them are sex workers.

This part of Tokyo has become a new hotspot for sex tourism, according to Ziare. Arata Sakamoto, who works for Rescue Hub, says this wasn’t always the case.

A few years ago, it was rare to see Japanese women selling sex on the street. Things changed after the pandemic.

More women turned to prostitution, and many lowered their prices. This, combined with a weak yen, brought in more foreign customers.

On platforms like TikTok and Bilibili, people post videos of sex workers in this area.

Some of the videos are live and filmed without permission. These clips often go viral, drawing even more attention to the park.

A sex worker named Ria says tourists now make up about half of her clients. Many use translator apps on their phones to ask about prices.

A session can cost between 15,000 and 30,000 yen, but prices are dropping. Ria says it’s getting harder to make money.

At Rescue Hub’s support center, women like Ria take a break. Some have faced abuse or theft.

Others are filmed without consent. Sakamoto worries about the health risks too, including STDs and unwanted pregnancies.

Police have started cracking down, forcing women to move around more. But the law only punishes sex workers, not their clients.

Ria says she feels safer with foreigners because they’re less likely to be undercover police.

Sakamoto believes Japan needs to educate tourists and introduce penalties for buyers.

Without this, the sex industry will keep growing, and more women will be at risk.