Health & Safety — Protecting Yourself While Enjoying Urisen

Your health and safety should always come first. This guide covers essential information about STI prevention, condom use, PrEP, and where to get tested in Tokyo. Being informed helps you enjoy your experience with peace of mind.

Condom Use Is Non-Negotiable

All reputable urisen shops require condoms for penetrative services. This is the single most effective way to prevent STI transmission.

• Condoms are provided by the shop, but you may bring your own
• Never request or agree to unprotected penetrative services
• Use water-based lubricant with condoms (oil-based can cause breakage)
• If a condom breaks during the session, stop and replace it

Common STIs to Be Aware Of

Even with precautions, it is important to understand the risks:

• HIV — Prevented by consistent condom use and PrEP. Risk is very low with proper protection.
• Syphilis — Cases have been rising in Japan. Can be transmitted through oral contact. Treatable with antibiotics.
• Gonorrhea & Chlamydia — Can infect the throat, urethra, and rectum. Often asymptomatic. Easily treated.
• HPV — Very common. Vaccination is available and recommended.
• Hepatitis B — Vaccine-preventable. Consider vaccination before traveling.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

PrEP is a daily medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV infection. If you are sexually active with multiple partners, PrEP is strongly recommended.

• Before your trip: Talk to your doctor at home about starting PrEP. It takes about 7 days of daily use to reach full protection for anal sex.
• In Japan: PrEP is available at some clinics in Tokyo but is not covered by Japanese health insurance and can be expensive. Bringing your own supply is the best option.
• PrEP protects against HIV only — it does not prevent other STIs. Always use condoms as well.

Regular Testing

If you use urisen services (or any sexual services), getting tested regularly is a responsible practice. Consider testing:

• Before your trip
• 2–4 weeks after potential exposure (for accurate results)
• Every 3 months if you are sexually active with multiple partners

Where to Get Tested in Tokyo

Several options are available for STI testing in Tokyo, including facilities that serve English-speaking patients:

Free Anonymous Testing (Hokenjo)

Public health centers (保健所 / hokenjo) in Tokyo offer free, anonymous HIV and syphilis testing. Walk-ins are available at some locations, but appointments are recommended. Testing is available in Japanese, but some centers have English-speaking staff or multilingual materials.

• Shinjuku Public Health Center — Convenient location near Shinjuku station. Offers HIV rapid testing.
• Minato Public Health Center — Located near central Tokyo.

Private Clinics (English-Friendly)

Private clinics offer comprehensive STI panels including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis testing. These are faster and more convenient but cost money.

• Shinjuku Toho Clinic — Near Shinjuku Ni-chome, LGBTQ+-friendly, some English support.
• Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic — In Minato-ku, fully English-speaking, popular with expats and tourists.

Self-Test Kits

HIV self-test kits are available at some pharmacies in Japan. They provide results in about 15 minutes. However, a full STI panel at a clinic is recommended for comprehensive screening.

If You Think You Were Exposed

• PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)— If you believe you were exposed to HIV (e.g., condom breakage), PEP can prevent infection if started within 72 hours. Go to an emergency clinic or hospital immediately. In Tokyo, large hospitals like St. Luke's International Hospital offer PEP.
• Don't panic — Many STIs are easily treatable. The important thing is to get tested and, if needed, treated promptly.