How to walk around FU-ZOKU town “Fukuhara, Yanagisuji” in Kansai｜FU-ZOKU shops available for foreigners.
How to walk around FU-ZOKU town “Fukuhara, Yanagisuji” in Kansai｜FU-ZOKU shops available for foreigners.
2024-09-13
Are you looking for a FU-ZOKU shop where foreign tourists can play safely when visiting Fukuhara (Yanagisuji)? This article introduces six FU-ZOKU shops in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) that are open to foreigners. We have also included descriptions of nearby tourist attractions and the characteristics of FU-ZOKU town so that you can enjoy sightseeing as well.
2024-09-13
Are you looking for a place to visit in Japan and have fun in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji), a fu-zoku town in the Kansai region? Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is a famous fukuji town in Kansai with a deep history.
It is said to be one of the largest Soap Land (Massage Parlor) in Kansai, and is popular both in Japan and abroad because there are FU-ZOKU shops that are open to foreigners.
So, for those who want to know which FU-ZOKU shops are safe for foreigners to play in, we will introduce 6 stores in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) that are open to foreigners.
We have also included an explanation of the characteristics of the Chuo and Hyogo wards of Kobe, where Fukuhara is located, tourist attractions, and the characteristics of FU-ZOKU town so that you can enjoy walking around the Fukuhara area as well.
Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is a FU-ZOKU town popular among foreign tourists
Kobe City, where Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is located, is popular among foreign tourists. It is rich in tourist attractions and gourmet foods such as Arima Onsen (hot springs) and historical buildings.
Other reasons for Kobe’s popularity among foreign tourists include the fact that it is a well-known area in Hyogo Prefecture and is within stopping distance of Kyoto and Osaka when visiting those cities.
According to a survey conducted in 2019, the largest number of foreign tourists came from China, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States.
Kobe is known as a popular tourist destination, but it is also famous for its FU-ZOKU district. It is called “Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) Area” and is visited by foreign tourists who are interested in Japanese fu-zoku at the same time they are sightseeing.
Features of Chuo and Hyogo wards of Kobe where Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is located
Here are the features of Chuo and Hyogo wards of Kobe, where Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is located.
Please refer to them when visiting.
Features of Chuo Ward, Kobe
Chuo Ward of Kobe City is the center of economy, culture and tourism. As an area that serves as a gateway by land, air, and sea, it is the center of Hyogo.
As a result, there are large transportation facilities, including Shin-Kobe Station, which has access to Kobe Airport and the Shinkansen bullet train.
While being the center of the city with a large downtown area and concentrated transportation access, the area is also characterized by the sea and nature such as “Nunobiki-no-Taki Waterfall.
Chuo City is also home to the “National Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings” with their exotic atmosphere, indicating that exchange with foreign countries has been active in the past.
Another feature of Chuo City is its mascot character called “Kamomen,” which is an idol of the residents of the district.
Characteristics of Hyogo Ward
Hyogo Ward is a port town where Hyogo Port is located.
It has a history of being the political center of Japan, with the port renovated by Taira no Kiyomori at the end of the Heian period (794-1185) and flourished as a center of trade between Japan and the Sung Dynasty, and a capital called “Fukuhara-kyo”.
In the early Meiji period (1868-1912), the city became a canal town, and in the Showa period (1926-1989), it flourished as a workers’ town with the advent of heavy industry manufacturers, a large enterprise that still exists today.
In addition, it was also a “town of popular entertainment” as movie theaters and entertainment halls were built one after another.
Hyogo Ward, which is now both a labor area for large corporations and an area of popular entertainment, began with this history.
Sightseeing spots around Fukuhara (Yanagisuji)
Here are 6 nearby tourist attractions you should visit when you visit Fukuhara (Yanagisuji).
Let’s make your trip to Japan memorable by touring these sights.
“Atoa átoa”, a fusion of aquarium and art
Atoa is an urban aquarium that combines elements of art with an aquarium.
Its specialties include a spherical tank that reproduces the inside of the ocean, and a digital art space that evokes carp and harmony.
Also attractive are an area with reptiles and mammals not found in most aquariums and a library-like space with swimming stingrays.
・Address: 7-2 Shinko-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: 10:00-19:00 (last admission at 18:30) ・Closed: Open every day except maintenance days ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): 15 minutes by cab
There is an area on the rooftop where you can have a light meal, and Atoa’s original sweets and beverages are available.
“Minatogawa Shrine”, a shrine famous as a power spot
Minatogawa Shrine is a shrine known as a power spot. Lord Masanari Kusunoki, known as Mr. Kusunoki by the locals, is enshrined here.
He is regarded as a famous general who lived during the Nanbokucho Period, and the shrine is still a sacred place of pilgrimage for history buffs.
Also enshrined in the precincts of the shrine is “Sugawara no Michizane,” one of the three great grudge spirits of Japan and also famous as the god of examinations. The shrine offers a wide range of benefits, including good fortune, safety in the home, traffic safety, good marriage, prosperity in the information and distribution industry, and prosperous business.
・Address: 3-1-1 Tamondori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): 5 minutes by cab
“Access from Fukuhara” is also good.
Kitano Ijinkan-gai is an area designated as a “National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Foreigners lived here from the Meiji Period to the early Showa Period, and even today, the area is lined with Western-style buildings and overflows with an exotic atmosphere. With a great view of the sea, some people must have lived here while thinking of their hometowns on the other side of the sea.
・Address：Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Hours of operation: Varies according to the facility. ・Closed: Varies by facility ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): Approximately 14 minutes by cab
The area is also lined with many exotic restaurants.
“Kobe Animal Kingdom” where you can meet a wide variety of animals
In addition to the standard zoo animals such as tigers and ring-tailed lemurs, Kobe Animal Kingdom also has camels and manul deer, which are rare in zoos.
Although you cannot touch them, the ring-tailed lemurs roam freely in certain areas and may come close to you.
At the petting zoo, visitors can feed kangaroos, capybaras, and other animals, and there is also a corner where visitors can put their arms around owls, which is very attractive.
・Address: 7-1-9 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: 10:00 – 16:30 (closing at 17:00) ・Closed: Thursday, open if Thursday is a national holiday *Open all year round during spring and summer vacation periods, GW, and year-end and New Year’s holidays. ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): 20 minutes by cab
Be sure to check out the large souvenir corner and dining area, where you will find original goods and menus from Kobe Animal Kingdom.
“Kobe Doll Museum” where dolls and mechanical dolls from around the world gather.
The Kobe Doll Museum is a museum that exhibits a collection of dolls and mechanical dolls that exist in the world.
The dolls on display are mainly antique bis dolls and automata, which are famous as French dolls, and are widely handled.
The museum also holds exhibitions of postcards of portraits that imitate silhouettes that were popular in the West, as well as exhibitions of rare dolls. For souvenirs, DVDs and postcards that show the charm of dolls are available.
・Address: 1-7-20 Utashikiyama, Tarumi-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: 11:00-17:00 ・Closed: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): 35 minutes by cab
This is a museum of a type rarely seen in the world, so if you are interested, why not visit? Note that reservations are required.
“Kobe Harborland” for shopping and dining
Kobe Harborland is a large complex and tourist attraction. It offers dining, a movie theater, an amusement park featuring popular characters and animation, and shopping stores.
With the ocean right next door, visitors can enjoy sightseeing and dining while feeling the sea breeze. Cruise ships sometimes dock here, and you can feel the atmosphere of a port town.
Nearby is the four-star Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, nicknamed “Kamaboko Hotel” by the locals.
・Address: 1 Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: Varies by facility ・Closed: Varies by facility ・Access from Fukushima (Yanagisuji): Approximately 7 minutes by cab
Recommended for overnight stay due to its proximity to FU-ZOKU town in Fukuhara.
Features of FU-ZOKU Street in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji)
Here are some of the features, attractions, and history of Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) as a FU-ZOKU town.
【Feature 1】 It is said to be one of the largest Soap Land (Massage Parlor) streets in western Japan.
Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is known as one of the largest Soap Land (Massage Parlor) districts in western Japan, and some customers even come to Fukuhara from outside the prefecture where there are no Soap Land (Massage Parlor) districts by ordinance.
Although it began as a brothel in the Edo period (1603-1867), it was transformed into the current Soap Land (Massage Parlor) district by the FU-ZOKU Law and other regulations.
For this reason, it is also called the “Yoshiwara of the West. In Fukuhara area, there is an area called “Sakura-suji” as well as “Yanagi-suji,” both of which tend to have many young women working there.
The level of customer service is said to be high. In addition, Fukuhara has a mix of restaurants and bars, so you can enjoy FU-ZOKU with a meal in between.
【Feature 2】The history of the Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) fu-zoku district began as a brothel.
Here we introduce the appearance and history of the area when it was once a pleasure quarters. As mentioned above, Fukuhara once had a brothel called “Fukuhara Yugaku.
Influential people living in the Fukuhara area requested permission to establish a brothel, and permission was granted on February 19, 1868.
The brothel opened in May of the same year, and was named “Fukuhara Yugaku” after the “Fukuhara-kyo” (Fukuhara Capital) once built by Taira no Kiyomori.
It is said that the area was crowded with many geisha at that time. In 1870, it was decided to build a railroad connecting Osaka and Kobe, and in 1871, the area was relocated to the east of the old Minatogawa River bank as Shin Fukuhara.
In 1871, the area was relocated to the east of the old Minatogawa bank as “Shin Fukuhara. In 1872, the “Gei-whore Ko (gei-whore) Emancipation Order” brought the business to the brink of extinction.
The following year, it was decided that the brothels would continue to exist as “rented rooms” and the crisis was averted.
However, with the lifting of restrictions on brothel rentals, new brothels were established in Sannomiya, Motomachi, and other areas, and Shin Fukuhara gradually declined. The area restrictions on brothels that could operate as “rented rooms” were again lifted, but this time the restriction was limited to Fukuhara, and the area returned to its former vigor.
According to the “Fukuhara Yugaku Lead Leather Magazine,” there were 1,320 prostitutes in Fukuhara in 1931.
However, the 1958 Anti-Prostitution Law abolished the Fukuhara Yugaku, the only brothel that was allowed to operate and flourish. After the abolition of the brothels, Fukuhara was transformed into a colorful town with Turkish baths as its main attraction, and eventually became the current Soap Land (Massage Parlor).
【Feature 3】Reasonable to high-end stores
The FU-ZOKU district in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is characterized by a variety of stores ranging from reasonably priced to upscale. It is easy to choose a store that fits your budget, and it is also easy to make a tour of FU-ZOKU shops.
The high-end stores have a luxurious atmosphere, so you will be able to relax. The level of service and appearance is high, and you will enjoy a high level of hospitality and satisfaction.
Overall, most FU-ZOKU shops tend to be newer rather than older establishments.
【Feature 4】A wide variety of concepts and genres
FU-ZOKU street in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is rich in concepts and genres, partly because there are many new stores and partly because it is a fierce competition zone for Soap Land (Massage Parlor). The main FU-ZOKU shops in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) are of the following genres
・Ladies’ type ・Amateurs ・Costume play type ・Married Mature Women
One of the charms of Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is that you can enjoy visiting various genres of fu-zoku shops.
【Feature 5】Easy access and easy to get to
Easy access from tourist attractions is another reason why many foreign tourists visit Fukuhara (Yanagisuji).
With excellent train and cab access, it is easy to go from tourist attractions to FU-ZOKU Street in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji), and vice versa.
The nearest train stations are Shinkaichi Station, JR Kobe Station, and Minatogawa Koen Subway Station. All stations are within walking distance and take about 10 minutes to reach.
Stores in FU-ZOKU Street in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) that accept foreigners
The following 6 stores are available to foreigners in FU-ZOKU Street in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji).
This section describes the features, trends, and attractions of the FU-ZOKU shop above.
KIWAMISUPA
“KIWAMISUPA” is a FU-ZOKU shop that combines Soap Land (Massage Parlor) and sexual massage.
Since you can enjoy both, you will be able to spend a fulfilling time with excitement and satisfaction in a new sensory experience. Since many big-breasted women in their 20s and 30s are enrolled, it is also recommended for big-breasted lovers.
“ELEGANT” is a FU-ZOKU shop where you will find both amateurish women with fresh reactions and technical women. The experience level of the women in the shop is wide, so it is good to play with them consecutively.
・Address: 30-3 Fukuhara, Hyogo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: 6:00 – before 24:00 ・Closed: Irregular holidays
Open from early morning, recommended for those who want to move early.
“LA PINK” is a FU-ZOKU shop with sexy women in their 20s to 40s.
It is a “Married Woman Soap Land” (Massage Parlor), where you can enjoy immoral play. How about enjoying situation play such as adultery and cuckolding?
・Address: 32-3 Fukuhara-cho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Business hours: 8:00 – 23:59 ・Closed: Open all year round
Open year-round, so you can enjoy playing anytime.
Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) is a popular fu-zoku town with many fu-zoku shops available to foreigners and a wide variety of genres of fu-zoku shops to enjoy.
There are also many tourist attractions in the Fukuhara area, where you can take pictures and have a meal and create memories of Japan. Since the area is easily accessible from Kyoto and Osaka, it is recommended to extend your visit to Fukuhara to enjoy FU-ZOKU when you visit Kyoto or Osaka.
YOASOBI HEAVEN is one of Japan’s largest and most reliable FU-ZOKU sites operated by Cityhaven. Find the FU-ZOKU shop of your choice and enjoy the unique Japanese FU-ZOKU hospitality to the fullest.
【Q&A】 Q.Are there any stores in FU-ZOKU town in Fukuhara (Yanagisuji) that are open to foreigners?
A.There are many FU-ZOKU shops available for foreigners. For example, KIWAMISUPA, Episode ace, YUMEKA, ELEGANT, SEISMOOCHJOGAKUEN, LA PINK, and other FU-ZOKU shops.
Q. Are there places to enjoy sightseeing near Fukuhara (Yanagisuji)?
A.Near Fukuhara (Yanagisuji), there is a downtown area and many sightseeing spots. There are aquariums, zoos, museums, etc., so you can enjoy sightseeing to the fullest.
