What Is the "Designation System"? How Can You Make Sense of All These Terms at Once?

When visiting a Japanese Soapland (ソープランド) for the first time, aside from the packages and prices that many people are concerned about, you’ll often come across terms like “Free” (自由), “Regular Request” (本指名), “Online Request” (ネット指名), and “Photo Request” (パネル指名)—but you might not know exactly what they mean, right?

In reality, the booking systems at Japanese Soaplands aren’t entirely uniform; different establishments may use different terms and pricing structures. However, most shops’ systems revolve around two key points: “whether to specify a Girl” and “when to specify her.”

In this article, we’ll introduce the most common booking systems at Japanese Soaplands, the differences between each method, typical booking fees, and how to choose during your first visit—so even first-time guests can enjoy their experience with peace of mind 👍

What Is the Soapland Selection System?

As the name suggests, the selection system allows customers to choose which Girls they’d like to be served by.

If you don’t make a request, the establishment will make arrangements based on the staff’s availability that day or according to your preferences.
If you wish to request a specific Girl—such as a popular Girl or a special guest (like an AV actress)
—you may need to pay an additional special request fee. Be sure to confirm or ask about this in advance to avoid any surprises at checkout!

Policies vary slightly by establishment, but common options include:

• Walk-in (Free): No specific request; the establishment makes the arrangement

• Photo Selection (Panel Selection): Select a hostess from photos provided by the establishment after entering

• Repeat Booking: Requesting the same Girls again

• Online Selection: Specify a hostess via the official website before visiting

Some establishments may only offer a few of the options listed above, so we strongly recommend checking the official website or contacting the establishment directly before making a reservation!

What is “Free Entry”?

"Walk-in" (フリー) refers to not specifically requesting a particular Girl; the establishment will make arrangements based on the day’s staff availability or the customer’s preferences and needs. It is also one of the most common choices for first-time visitors to Soapland.

Advantages include:

• No need to select a hostess in advance (a godsend for those with decision paralysis)

• The check-in process is simpler (just walk in—no need for prior arrangements)

• Most establishments do not charge an additional fee for requesting a specific Girl (since the establishment may assign a Girl who hasn’t met her sales quota for the day)

However, since the attendant is assigned by the establishment, you can only provide a general description of your preferences. Additionally, the establishment may not necessarily arrange for a specific attendant based on your preferences but may prioritize the Girls’ sales performance instead. Therefore, you’ll need to weigh these factors carefully beforehand.

What is photo selection?

Photo selection (shashin chimei) is the process of choosing a staff member based on official photos provided by the establishment.

Some establishments display staff photos on their official websites, in-store brochures, or on display boards, allowing customers to choose based on appearance or personal preference.

It’s important to note that “photo selection” isn’t the official term used by all establishments; some may categorize it as “display board selection (panel selection)” or simply call it “selection.”

Whether an additional fee is required varies by establishment, but in most cases, there is one~

When selecting a photo-based request, please be aware of the so-called “panemaji”—a situation where the photo differs from the actual Girls’ appearance. Published photos are often retouched, so there may be a discrepancy between your expectations and reality when you arrive at the establishment. It’s recommended to use the photos only as a reference; if you’re concerned, you can check reviews or use intermediary services like 【JNC】 to confirm details in advance. 

What is a “regular request”?

A repeat booking (hon-shimei), also commonly known as “returning for a second round,”
refers to requesting the same Girls again after having previously been served by them.

Unlike a first-time booking, a repeat booking means the customer wishes to book a familiar Girl again, so many establishments prefer that customers make reservations as far in advance as possible.

The benefits of a repeat booking include:

• You can be served by a familiar girl again

• There is already a rapport between you, making communication more natural

• Having prior experience reduces concerns about the service not meeting expectations

Disadvantages of requesting the same hostess:

• Choosing the same Girls every time can lead to a lack of novelty, and switching to someone else might feel awkward

• At some establishments, the fee for a regular request is higher than for a general request, so you’ll need to pay an additional charge

What is an “online request”? How does it differ from a “display board request”?

At some establishments, you’ll also see the terms “ネット指名” and “パネル指名.”

Online Reservation: Reservation made via the internet

This typically refers to selecting a hostess in advance—before arriving at the establishment—via the establishment’s website, by phone, or through a booking platform.

This is suitable for customers who have already decided on a specific Girl or wish to plan their visit in advance. Seeing the Girl’s

photo and profile beforehand provides peace of mind and builds anticipation.

※Please remember that photos in the adult entertainment industry are always—always—retouched. We recommend not assuming they represent the Girl’s 100% true appearance.

Panel Selection: Selection via Display Photos

This generally refers to selecting a service provider after arriving at the establishment by choosing from displayed photos (panels).

Since definitions vary slightly by establishment, some venues treat photo selection, in-store photo selection, and online selection as the same system—and thus charge the same fee—or prefer that customers make all selections and reservations online. Others calculate these separately, resulting in different fees; therefore
, always refer to the venue’s official announcement.

※Please note that photos in the adult entertainment industry—whether for online or in-store selections—are retouched. Do not assume they represent the woman’s 100% true appearance.

What is the going rate for request fees?

There are many Soapland parlors, and there is no uniform standard for request fees, but there is generally a common market rate. Aside from walk-ins, photo requests, online requests, and in-person requests may all incur additional charges. Common scenarios are as follows. 

There are three common scenarios:

Please note that some establishments differentiate between fees for first-time requests and repeat requests (repeat requests are usually slightly more expensive)

. Some have already included the request fee in the total package price
, especially for foreign guests. Since explaining the request system in detail to foreign guests can be cumbersome, the request fee is typically covered within the total amount provided by the establishment.

Therefore, confirming the total amount and what the fees cover before making a reservation is the best way to avoid misunderstandings. We
also encourage you to use the reservation service provided by [JNC], an official partner of Fu-ZoKlook, so you can have a clear and transparent understanding of the pricing before beginning your journey and experience 😊

Pros and Cons of Requesting a Specific Therapist

Based on the various booking methods described above, the overall pros and cons of the booking system are summarized as follows: 

Pros

• You can choose a girl based on your preferences, rather than relying entirely on luck

• If you’ve had a satisfying experience before, you can request the same Girls again to ensure consistent quality

• You can schedule your appointment in advance, making it easier to plan your itinerary

• You can review the Girls’ profile and photos in advance, leading to smoother interactions on the day of the visit

Disadvantages

• Choosing Girls requires time to compare options, which can lead to indecision

• Even after reviewing photos and profiles, you won’t know if you’re a good match until you meet in person

• Last-minute cancellations or changes must follow the establishment’s policies, which may affect your itinerary

• Each establishment has different procedures and fee standards for requesting a specific hostess, so you’ll need to spend extra time confirming these details

  Recommended Selection Methods for First-Timers

If this is your first time experiencing Soapland, you can choose based on your own needs:

During weekends, long holidays, or peak travel seasons, popular girls are usually booked up early. If you have travel plans, remember
that the earlier you book, the better your experience will be.

※ Schedules in the adult entertainment industry are typically released a week in advance, but be aware of last-minute absences. We strongly recommend selecting 2–3 girls in advance as backup options.

Summary

The system for requesting specific attendants at Japanese Soapland parlors isn’t as complicated or expensive as you might think. It mainly
allows customers to decide whether to make arrangements in advance or request the same attendant they’ve seen before. Alternatively, walking into a Soapland parlor on a whim and picking someone at random to see what happens is part of the fun!

We’d also like to remind international guests thatnot all establishments are willing to accommodate same-day visits or walk-ins. We recommend that you first select an establishment and your preferred Girls on the FuZoKlook website and specify your desired services to ensure you have the best possible experience. 

Alternatively, refer to the information below and let the 【JNC】 team tailor the perfect adult entertainment itinerary for you!

Fu-ZoKlook x JNC Official LINE & Major Social Media Platforms

If you have any questions about Japan’s adult entertainment scene or
the booking process, or if you’d like to consult with us, feel free to click the image below to join our official LINE. JNC will provide you with free consultation services ♥

We’ll continue to update our content with more information about Japan’s adult entertainment scene, so please stay tuned and keep supporting us!

You can also follow our social media accounts to stay up-to-date on the latest adult entertainment news in Japan 👇

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