I just came back from Japan after a 3 week long trip. I'm of south asian descent (not Indian, not that it matters), in decent shape, and my Japanese is slightly above elementary (I can hold a 10-15 min long conversation in broken Japanese). I hope i can add some insight to this conversation.
There's most definitely a punting hierarchy in Japan, and its as described above being 1) Japanese, 2) Japanese speaking foreigners and 3) non Japanese speaking foreigners. This is less driven by race (for non-Japanese categories), and more driven by the fact that most Japanese can't actually speak English making any interactions between you / SP / agency staff very awkward / impossible. Most SPs/ agencies thus dont bother with category 3) as a result.
I understand why people would think that non-white foreigners would be treated differently in Japan, from what i've heard this is the case for Indians in Thailand, but i haven't been so can't speak from experience. I did not receive any discrimination at all punting in various types of establishments (Soaplands, Delivery Healths, Pink Salons, Shinchis/RLDs, even BDSM services) across the many cities i visited while I was in Japan.
Service providers couldn't care less what my nationality/ color of my skin, they cared more about 1) behaviour and following punting customs/etiquette in Japan (good manners, knowing customs of SPs leading in soapland, BDSM customs, etc.) 2) personal care / hygiene, etc. I would always lead with my broken Japanese and i felt that put SPs at ease, perhaps any "less" service i would have received because of my skin color was negated by my elementary Japanese fluency; but from speaking to SPs i saw, they told me they met foreigners from all over in Japan but mostly Chinese and Koreans. I will say however, dick size is pretty important, a lot of SPs will not want to see you if you're quite big (most SPs work really long shifts, and a painful encounter can leave them out of work for the rest of the day / next day). So if you're very well endowed, make sure you're super upfront about that (I read on local non-japanese punting forums that SPs refused to see foreign customers because of that!)
If you can't speak Japanese at all (or can just do basic greeting words like hello/thank you/etc.), or you aren't willing to do the research / put in the effort, then your options in Japan will be relatively limited to foreigner catering agencies in Japan (such as THC), but also agencies listed in Yoasobi Traveller (f.k.a. City Traveller), or Shincis in Osaka. Within City Heaven Traveller agencies you should definitely make it clear that you're a foreigner and that you speak limited Japanese. Word of advice, don't follow African touts in Kabukicho for a good time, best case you end up paying for overpriced drinks, worst case you get drugged / end up in crosshairs of Yakuza!
If you can speak Japanese however, your options are greatly expanded. While the majority of establishments / SPs (esp. outside Tokyo/Osaka Shinchis) will not see foreigners, depending on your level of competency in Japanese, a lot of doors open up (both literally and figuratively). Following local non-japanese punting forums (TAG) over the past year while doing my research, i feel like the "market" has opened up more to Japanese speaking foreigners. It does require a fair but of work, but i found that it was worth it. Some general tips:
- In terms of punting locations, Tokyo is your best bet, followed by Osaka Shinchis (RLDs), and possibly some soaplands in Fukuoka. I'd avoid punting in other cities and enjoy the sightseeing there!
- In terms of punting services that are open to foreigners, Soaplands (specific SPs in specific soaplands), Delivery Healths (check their website for english / check local punting forums / specific SP's X), BDSM (check specific SPs X), Osaka Shinchis, and (some) Pink Salons. Don't expect much luck from hostess bars (probably won't even get in unless a Japanese friend takes you there) and forget about any Geisha fantasies (idk if thats still a thing now)
- Important point: PIV sex is illegal in Japan unless its in Shinchis and Soaplands (i think they're grandfathered in somehow). At Deliveryhealths don't expect PIV sex outright, but some SPs who do Anal (it'll likley specify AF on their profiles on Cityheaven / website) can do PIV, but that's between you and the SP and "off the books".
- Soaplands, Shinchis, Pink Salons will be the only relevant "incall" services in Japan to my knowledge. You go to the specific location (e.g. Yoshiwara in Taito City, Tokyo for Soaplands, Tobita Shinchi in Osaka) and meet the SP in the establishment. Those SPs don't usually outcall. Other services (Delivery health, BDSM, etc.) are "outcall" where either 1) you book a love hotel and text/call SP/agency love hotel details and they come meet you in love hotel room while you wait, or 2) some SPs will meet you at a specific location and you will go book love hotel together. While SPs can come to your business hotel / high-end hotel, this is rather frowned upon / not allowed so avoid doing that please. Delivery Healths will often hafve recommended love hotels on their website. Most love hotels are £30-£50 for 2-3 hours in Tokyo for reference.
- The quality of your experience will almost certainly depend on your Japanese ability for most establishments. Think about it, most soaplands are 90 mins / 2 hours minimum, if you don't know a lick of Japanese you're gonna have a very boring / awkward time with you not being able to have a conversation at all with the SPs (google translate cant be brought out if you're covered in Nuru gel / soap!). If you still want to go for it, learn some key phrases (like, is this okay, it feels good, slowly, etc etc.). BDSM is likely a no go if the SP can't speak English (some can though)
- A lot of providers (regardless of whether they are Soapland girls, delivery girls, BDSM providers) are very active on X, and you can follow them, and reserve in advance with them via X DMs/Line/email, etc. Some will specify on their profile they see foreigners (some specifiy Japanese only), some you have to ask via DM / commenting on their X / checking out local punting forums. Most popular ones are booked pretty far in advance (like months) so plan ahead if you want to see someone specific!
- If you book via DMs/Line (called "Princess Reservations") for Soapland SPs (+ some BDSM/Delivery Healths), they'll likely either ask you to come to the shop the day of / day before to pay the fee, or call the shop day before / day of to confirm your reservation. You do need to understand / be able to speak at a certain level to be able to do this to be honest, and this will weed out most people. Although my Japanese wasn't good enough to completely understand everything, I had messages translated / saved in my phone. I picked up enough of the conversation to understand what the agency staff were saying, and I never got any rude behaviour from them. In fact most were quite helpful and would repeat things slowly and /or politely correct me as i tried to repeat what they said. Some even gave me rides to/from the station!
- You will likely need a Japanese punting phone. I suggest getting a Mobal eSim with a proper Japanese number - super easy to activate before your flight and use in Japan, cheap too
- When handing cash its good custom to not hand cash directly. Ideally hand it over in an envelope, or if you dont have that, can place it on the table for the agency staff / SP to collect. 7-11 ATMs are you're best bet for extracting cash (highest limits), and you can find envelops in Don Quixotes
- Hygiene is of utmost importance, especially if going to a high class soapland, where you'll start R1 immediately with SP. I suggest taking a shower before going in, freshening up while you're waiting in the incall location in their bathroom (all of them have mouthwash/can clean your private parts with the futuristic toilets). For Delivery health / BDSM bookings where you book a love hotel yourself, give yourself ample time before to take a shower in the hotel.
- While Japan (and most of Asia for that matter) has a tendency to do BB, SPs usually get tested pretty frequently. Foreigners are almost always expected to wear condoms (and i would do so given most SPs will be offering BB services to Japanese customers as well. This is an unavoidable part for Soapland SPs, so take it as is.
Happy to answer any specific questions. I'll stay away from giving any specific SP recommendations / writing reports (although on a whole i can say all were incredible and unique). I think for the experiences i sought ought, you need a certain level of Japanese and need to put in the effort yourself so don't want to give people the impression you'll get the same service without it, but happy to point you in the right direction!
