The taxi pulled up at Shinjuku Station East Exit, Tokyo's most famous red-light district: Kabukicho Ichiban Street.
This place became liveliest after eleven or twelve at night. It drew countless tourists and housed three thousand maid cafés, host clubs, video stores, touch parlors, arcades—some involving gambling—and Japanese gangs of every stripe. Every kind of entertainment imaginable could be found here.
The middle-aged driver, who looked like a seasoned hand, tossed Sean a meaningful smile that needed no explanation from the back seat. "They don't do business with foreigners here. If you want to have some fun, I can introduce you to an upscale nightclub."
Japan's adult-entertainment industry had countless rules and regulations. Most workers had limited education and did not speak foreign languages. On top of that, ordinary Japanese people harbored a certain "fear" of foreigners—a fear born from unfamiliarity. Thus, an unspoken rule had formed in red-light districts: locals only, no foreigners.
Sean smiled, paid the fare, and got out. Standing at the street corner, he saw dazzling adult establishments on both sides, their signs plastered with sexy, explicit, enticing posters. The colorful array of novel temptations stimulated every man's hormones, making it hard not to feel restless.
Japanese law prohibited adult establishments from offering actual penetrative services, so a vast variety of shops catering to different needs had emerged: soaplands, handjob parlors, themed establishments, massage parlors, gay clubs, adult video stores, video chats, outcall services... You could say that if you could think of it, they could provide it.
No wonder Japan was a country where erotic culture thrived, Sean muttered inwardly.
"If the paparazzi catch the New York genius touring a red-light district at night, you'll be even hotter news than Tony Stark!"
Elektra's teasing voice came through his earpiece.
"Who would've thought that ghoul was hiding