Well, it's been a while since I've been there. During the pandemic I've been checking TAG to see if anyone had visited any of the infamous Shinchi areas in Osaka to see what changes (if any) were in place.
Reading anything on the "bakusai" site should be taken with a grain of salt and I read everything from masks being required to play and even driver's license and phone number needed to gain entry so they could call you if they needed to. I guess in the event of a customer or SW testing positive to COVID.
So with new case numbers dipping to the lowest numbers this year, me and a couple of buddies headed off to Matsushima a couple of weeks ago. Well timed it would seem given the recent uptick in numbers.
The first thing that stood out was how few customers were wandering the streets at what would usually be a busy time on the weekend. The next was the lack of calls we were getting. Pre-COVID we (3 Caucasian gaijin) would get calls and enthusiastic waves and smiles from 90% of the mama-sans and girls. We got positive attention from about 60% and in fact saw a couple of large "Japanese people only" signs for the first time and I've been going there for a long time, trust me. Still not bad but it was certainly a different atmosphere to what we're used to.
Anyway, I can happily say masks aren't required if you're willing to roll the dice. The three of us all went to different shops and all got temperature checks upon entry. Probably standard I would say. No other changes in service I would say. Even kissing was still on the menu should that be something you're looking for. Oh, and no ID required. Something I wouldn't have agreed to anyway.
The lovely young girl I got acquainted with said that night was no different from any other during the pandemic. Apparently business is pretty poor as you might expect. Mentioned foreigners seemed less welcome than usual and she said she had no problem with foreigners given that they must live here at the moment. A fact that might be lost on some of the other shops.
Anyway, a good time was had by all and nice to know that option is still there largely unchanged. Might not go back for a while with the current situation but I thought I'd at least give up an update to those who might be waiting to hear about these areas in Osaka as I was.
Thanks for your time!
Reading anything on the "bakusai" site should be taken with a grain of salt and I read everything from masks being required to play and even driver's license and phone number needed to gain entry so they could call you if they needed to. I guess in the event of a customer or SW testing positive to COVID.
So with new case numbers dipping to the lowest numbers this year, me and a couple of buddies headed off to Matsushima a couple of weeks ago. Well timed it would seem given the recent uptick in numbers.
The first thing that stood out was how few customers were wandering the streets at what would usually be a busy time on the weekend. The next was the lack of calls we were getting. Pre-COVID we (3 Caucasian gaijin) would get calls and enthusiastic waves and smiles from 90% of the mama-sans and girls. We got positive attention from about 60% and in fact saw a couple of large "Japanese people only" signs for the first time and I've been going there for a long time, trust me. Still not bad but it was certainly a different atmosphere to what we're used to.
Anyway, I can happily say masks aren't required if you're willing to roll the dice. The three of us all went to different shops and all got temperature checks upon entry. Probably standard I would say. No other changes in service I would say. Even kissing was still on the menu should that be something you're looking for. Oh, and no ID required. Something I wouldn't have agreed to anyway.
The lovely young girl I got acquainted with said that night was no different from any other during the pandemic. Apparently business is pretty poor as you might expect. Mentioned foreigners seemed less welcome than usual and she said she had no problem with foreigners given that they must live here at the moment. A fact that might be lost on some of the other shops.
Anyway, a good time was had by all and nice to know that option is still there largely unchanged. Might not go back for a while with the current situation but I thought I'd at least give up an update to those who might be waiting to hear about these areas in Osaka as I was.
Thanks for your time!