How to navigate a Gay Sauna in Japan

This is a post I wanted to write for a while! I have been to a few in Japan, and once in Taiwan too. This is based on my experience, so not a universal guide, but may be of help.

So, if you’re in Japan and want to hook-up, see naked men and/or have some sort of sex, hit a gay sauna. It is called a Hattenba. In Japanese it will be reffered to in the kanji 発展場, or like this ハッテン場, and sometimes just クルージング [cruising]. But, cruising could also suggest a cruising spot, such as a gay park, beach etc. Although sometimes they are quite hidden, tucked away or up a flight of stairs, they exist! Before you go rushing to find one, the selection may not be what you’re imagining…

Anyway. So, first you need to find one. First try googling ‘発展場’ and the city’s name in Kanji. That is how I have found my successes! Or if that doesn’t work, you can also try looking on Utopia Asia. There is also the equivalent Japanese site called Gclick! You can click the クルージング option in the genres to find them easier.

Once you find one, you have to make sure you’re welcome! Some will allow foreigners in, and some may be more weary. The main reason they may question your attendance at their gay sauna is because they may not/probably don’t know your language. But I’ve never had an issue in the past. If you have managed to find yourself a gay sauna, and you’re not being pushed out of the doors already, that’s probably a good sign. So here we go…

PAYING AND ENTERING

1. When you get in, you must put your shoes in the little lockers provided.
2. There may be a large ticket machine, where you can buy your service. Because many of the saunas have various prices for different customers, you’ll have to choose the right one. Sometimes under 25’s can get a cheaper ticket, then under 30, 40 etc. Also, depending on the time, some last until 11pm, and some are for past 11pm. You can get a room at the bigger saunas and pay for that too.
3. If there isn’t a ticket machine, just head on over to the reception desk. Where they look at your ticket, and provide you with a bag, locker key, (robe) and 2 towels. NO CONDOMS OR LUBE!!! Bitch please, talk about safety. So, you can either bring your own, not engage in any sex or buy some at the reception.
4. Then you should walk towards the locker rooms.
5. In the locker rooms, find your locker and strip ;P Well, take off all your clothes and place them in the locker. Depending on what you’re doing, you can leave your bag in the locker, or carry it with you. So, you’re walking around with your robe on and small and big towel at hand. Or if there isn’t a robe, then use your big towel to cover you. Walking around naked isn’t allowed.
6. Head for the boys, boys, boys! Or men, men, men!

In the sauna, they’ll be lots of various areas! Depending on the sauna. But usually there is a…

TV area

Sometimes it’s porn and other times it’s daytime TV. But sometimes it’s a nice break.

Smoking Area

You can smoke here and read one of the many gay magazines placed on the armchair next to the gay ojichan. Sexy.

Sauna

Before you enter, you must put your robe/big towel in a little open locker. Remember where you place them! One night I returned to the open locker area and to find my big towel missing! Only my robe. 2 hours later, the same thing happened with my robe!!! I had to go to the main locker room, but naked with just a small towel covering me and to dry myself. I got a few looks… Good looks? I hope so ;P

Anyway. There will be a few hot baths, showers (open/closed-off), cold bath, a pitch black sauna and a lit transparent sauna. People will walk in and out of spaces and sometimes just open the door and not come in. Just make sure to keep yourself safe, and if you don’t feel comfortable just leave. The first time I went, I was so nervous! I just sat in the dark room alone for ages. When someone did come and made an advance at me, I just froze up!!

Shared Rooms/Private Rooms

They’ll be spaces where they just have futons or bunk-beds where you can have sex, play with, kiss or anything with another person or two or more! Although these are shared spaces, so sometimes you may get unwanted visitors or an audience. After a night out clubbing, it can be a cheap way to sleep, although you may have to share a bed with someone, and you’ll be surrounded by shuffling feet all night long. But don’t go too late at night, beds are rare past 1am!!! These shared spaces are usually on a different floor.

With a bit of extra yen, you can get a private room. Usually a double bed, shower, tv and other usual hotel goods. There are free condoms there too usually. Although maybe not free lube.

Youth Zone

There is sometimes zones specifically for people younger than 30! You’ll have to get a code for it though at the front desk. They change it often! Also, I have only seen this area once in the Osaka hattenba.

TIPS!

• I have had some really nice trips there, and just gone to have a bath, sleep or have sex with a stranger. It’s a versatile place.
• It’s not a sex-on-tap place by any means!
• The daytime is not a busy time unless it’s a public holiday or the weekend. It’s more popular in the evenings, and especially so at the weekend.
• You may be the only foreigner there, but maybe not. Especially if you are at peak hours in a big city.
• Sexual health is very important, so be careful. You can still get things from oral sex, and always where a condom or just don’t do it.
• I have found the saunas I have been to to be clean and easy to navigate after a few trips.
• Sometimes it can be very quiet, but people chat! Chat someone up! I was chatted up by this Japanese guy in the lockers room. Don’t be shy, try it out!
• Eye contact, brushing of body parts, subtle exchanges are secret codes for ‘I’m interested’. I once got dragged into a shower cubicle with a ‘abs-for-days’, handsome Japanese guy without exchanging a single word apart from ‘ikisou’ which means ‘I’m close’.
• Keep hydrated, there is always a water fountain.
• Bring your own toothbrush etc, you can use it in the bathing area. (outside the actual bath, of course)
• Put your robe/towel in the corner or bottom shelf, or a noticeable space, otherwise someone else will pinch your stuff!
• These big saunas are 24hrs! So, a great place to sleep or have a late night romp!
• Saunas can attract a variety of body types and ‘tribes’ i.e. bears, twinks, jocks etc.

I think that is it! Anything else, give me a buzz! 😀

All for now,

Love,

Gayjin

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