Common Mistakes Foreign Visitors Make — And How to Avoid Them

Nobody wants to accidentally be "that guy." Most mistakes foreign visitors make at urisen come from cultural misunderstandings, not bad intentions. Here is a friendly heads-up on the most common pitfalls so you can have the best experience possible.

1. Skipping the Shower

This is the number one mistake and the fastest way to make a bad impression. In Japan, cleanliness is not optional — it is fundamental. You will always be offered a shower before your session. Take it, and be thorough. Washing your body properly shows respect for your cast member and is simply expected. Arriving sweaty from a long day of sightseeing and heading straight to the room is a major faux pas.

2. Trying to Negotiate Prices

Haggling is not part of Japanese culture. Prices are clearly listed and they are what they are. Attempting to negotiate makes you look cheap and puts the staff in an uncomfortable position. If the price is higher than your budget, simply choose a different course or visit another time. Nobody will judge you for that.

3. Asking for "Nama" (No Condom)

Requesting unprotected penetrative services is dangerous, disrespectful, and will not be accommodated at any reputable shop. Condom use is non-negotiable. Asking puts your cast member in a difficult position and signals a disregard for their health and safety. Just do not do it.

4. Being Too Loud

Japanese culture values quiet and restraint in shared spaces. Many urisen shops have thin walls and other customers nearby. Keeping your volume at a reasonable level is both polite and practical. This includes talking, laughing, and especially during the session itself. You do not need to be silent — just be mindful of how much sound carries.

5. Taking Photos or Videos

This should go without saying, but it needs to be said: never take photos or record video at an urisen shop. This applies to the waiting area, the hallways, and obviously the private rooms. It is a serious privacy violation and could be illegal. Your phone should stay in your pocket or locker. Some shops will ask you to turn off your phone entirely.

6. Asking Cast for Personal Information

Do not ask for their LINE, real name, Instagram, or other personal details. Cast members maintain a boundary between their work and private lives, and that boundary should be respected. If they want to share something, they will — but asking puts pressure on them. Enjoy the time you have together and leave it at that.

7. Showing Up Drunk

Having a drink or two before your visit to calm nerves is perfectly fine — many people do. But stumbling in heavily intoxicated is a different story. It makes communication difficult, can lead to inappropriate behavior, and some shops may turn you away at the door. If you have been drinking heavily, go another day when you can enjoy the experience fully.

8. Comparing to Services in Other Countries

Saying things like "in Thailand they do it like this" or "in Amsterdam it was cheaper" is not helpful and can be off-putting. Urisen is a uniquely Japanese experience with its own customs and standards. Approach it on its own terms and you will get much more out of it.

9. Forgetting Cash

Japan is still a heavily cash-based society, and many urisen shops only accept cash. ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) accept international cards and are available 24 hours. Make sure you have enough yen before heading out. Running to an ATM mid-visit is awkward for everyone.

10. Assuming All Cast Speak English

While some cast members speak basic English, many do not. This is not a problem — download Google Translate on your phone before your trip and use the conversation mode for real-time two-way translation. The staff at the front desk can also help bridge the language gap. A few Japanese phrases (see our emergency phrases guide) go a long way in showing effort and earning goodwill.

11. Overstaying Your Time

Sessions are timed, and going over without paying for an extension is not acceptable. Keep an eye on the clock, and if you want more time, ask about extending before the session ends — not after. Cast members may have other appointments, and the shop needs to manage its schedule.

12. Tipping the Wrong Way

Tipping is not customary in Japan, and most service interactions do not require it. If you do want to leave something extra for a cast member you really enjoyed, use bills — leaving a pile of coins can feel dismissive. Better yet, simply express your thanks verbally or by returning and requesting the same person. A warm "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) goes further than you might think.

The Golden Rule

When in doubt, follow this simple principle: be clean, be on time, be respectful, and bring cash. If you can do those four things, you are already ahead of most first-time visitors. The cast and staff want you to have a great time — make it easy for them to help you enjoy yourself.