Gay bathhouses
Did you know that men have been cruising each other for sex at bathhouses since the 15th century?
While the original intention of men’s bathhouses may have been hygiene, today’s gay bathhouses or saunas, along with other types of sex-on-premises-venue (SOPV) or sex venues, are intended as places where you can meet others for casual sex. SOPVs propose a place to examine and play with a wider variety of people, many of whom might not appear on a dating app grid.
Walking around a gay sauna or SOPV, you might fast realise a whole novel set of rules is at play; with everything from navigating consent to being comfortable in a sexualised space, there can be a lot to learn. Here’s what you should know before heading into a sex venue for the first time.
How does a gay sauna operate?
Like a hotel, you’ll arrive at your venue, and there will be a front desk where you’ll pay an admission fee, and in come back, you’ll receive a locker key and a towel.
From there, it’s a matter of heading to the changerooms to change into the towel and store your clothes in a locker. Upon arriving, many people will also shower to freshen up, and many venues may hold douching facilities if you want t
The Freddie Guide to: Bathhouses
What is a bathhouse?
Bathhouses – also known as baths, saunas, or same-sex attracted saunas – are spaces where gay men* meet to socialise, relax and have sex. They are legal, licensed sex venues, as opposed to regular saunas or steam rooms where people cruise.
The number of gay bathhouses in North America peaked in the 1970s. Most of them closed in the 1980s, as local governments made widespread health rules to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These rules were often rooted in homophobia.
Today, there are still bathhouses in most major cities across the world. You can find them through Google or on cruising sites love Squirt and Sniffies.
* Historically, bathhouses only admitted cisgender men. They are generally becoming more inclusive. Many have more relaxed door policies or dedicated times and events that are safer spaces for trans and non-binary people. If this applies to you, it’s optimal to check online or ring ahead before visiting a venue for the first time.
When you arrive
When you show up at a bathhouse, you’ll get to a front desk with an attendant. This is where you’ll pay for your entry along with any extras like private rooms (if the venue
24 Kaikan Shinjuku
Great place
I've been on Monday afternoons (from 2pm and from 4pm) and late nighttime on Saturdays. The last period I went was Sat Parade 1 2025. Saturday night is wild - people queuing to get in, and saunas and sleeping areas packed with cruising around and men doing it. I imagine Fridays would be much the same. Though quieter, the afternoons still had enough people to keep me interested. If it's your first hour in this kind of place, I'd recommend going late afternoon, as it won't be overwhelming, but there will still be a stream of students and businessmen coming in for a quickie on their way house. All I can say is, I've had an amazing day there and recommend it for a 3-4 hour visit. There's always a wide range of types, with foreigners (tourists and those living in Japan) around 50:50 each time. I've always met some really hot guys and had some amazing encounters. It's always different- I've been there in the afternoon and only hooked up with non-Japanese, and in the evening and been pounced on by Japanese guys. The flow is: 1. At the entrance, take off your shoes and put them in the 10yen foot locker. 2. G
Gay Guide Japan
Gay places in Japan are often only for Japanese and foreigners are generally not welcome. Mainly because very several Japanese speak any foreign languages, foreigners look different und often are bigger. Remember all you have read about Japanese customs and manners. It is essential to act to be acknowledged. You will often be met by a sign saying "Japanese only" or similar. Simply seek another bath property. The saunas are often places for cruising only with lockers, shower, darkroom and cubicles. Think of to be very tactful and polite, take off your shoes at the entrance, never proceed head on and cover up your private parts unless it is a nude night. Many premises have theme nights (underwear, snorkel wear, nude etc.) that have to be followed. Deliver your own condoms as the Japanese ones are smaller than the western ones (logically).
Cities in Japan
Location: Between Sea of Japan & western Pacific Ocean
Initials: JPN
International country code: 81 (omit 0 from area code)
International access code: 001, 0061 or 0041
Language: Japanese. English (commercial language)
Population: 127,561,000
Capital: Tokyo
Religions: 80% Buddhist or Shinto
Climate: Spring (Mar-May) is