I have been to HBs in Tokyo, but I need to know about Yokohama ones now - so maybe your lady and I could exchange information.
Maybe I should start a thread asking about Yokohama.
I went to Silk and Sleeping beauty a number of times as a single woman about 5 years ago , although I went briefly to Bliss Out with another woman a couple of years ago.
I remember the set up better for Silk /bliss Out than SB. I remember wearing street clothes in the bar area with shoes - although a couple if times I changed into Cosplay outfits that were there.
When we went down to the playroom, that when you took off your shoes - and had a shower, put on a robe etc.
I never found it was a hassle - even though the guys did start circling like sharks at some points. There is pretty strong etiquette, and the regulars were pretty protective of that... And I'm pretty dominant and can look after myself even if I look more innocent.
I remember when I was playing with a group of people and a random guy decided that he could just jump in without asking. I just stopped things and told him off and the other guys thought I was great.
Sleeping beauty - I don't remember the set up so well... But I am thinking that I might go back there with my FWB because it's so big.
Of course - it's a lot more expensive than others, which wasn't something I had to worry about as a single woman.
You must take your shoes off, before entering Bliss Out. It's been a while, but I think Silk (previous bar at the same location) had the same rule. I like this, and it's more hygienic than in the West. But oddly, I can't be sure about the old Silk. Maybe my memory is mixing the old and new place, at the same location. However, there were 2 Silks, and that's going way back. The much older Silk, that was also in Shinjuku, but different location than Bliss Out/Silk, I think you could walk in with your shoes. It's when you went upstairs in the play area, that you had to take your shoes off and shower.
At the older Silk, different location and where the play room was upstairs, I do remember their tended to be circles. It was some type of accepted club practice and habit, but polite and safe. It was quite interesting. They would make a circle and watch. It had an almost Zen like surreal quality to it, as if monks studying a performance. The Silk, which was located in the same place as Bliss Out, would occasionally have circles but not as much. At Bliss Out now, this is quite rare.
Anyway, members at the HBs, abide by the rules or get banned. There is no being aggressive with women, causing trouble, arguing, or fighting. People are usually very polite. Because it's expensive for men to get in, they are usually of a higher or gentler quality. A man might ask to join a couple or woman, before entering a play room, but it's up to the couple or woman if they will allow him to join.
