Police arrests from raid on Japan’s largest happening bar

We fondly remember the days when it was relatively easy to visit happening bars. Sadly, those times when such establishments were widely known and could be frequented in central areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya now feel distant, largely due to a police crackdown that closed many down or scared others off.

Further proof that the police won’t tolerate businesses that allow members of the public to have sex with each other appeared this month.

Media reported on May 9 that police had busted a Shibuya happening bar called Sleeping Beauty.

An incredible eleven separate police districts as well as a division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police were involved with the raid that saw 10 arrested on charges of aiding and abetting public indecency.

Sleeping Beauty claimed to be the largest happening bar in Japan. It had a private room with a two-way mirror, through which patrons and staff could watch people having sex.

Among the arrested were a 34-year-old man and 27-year-old woman, who were apprehended on a public indecency charge (presumably because they were having sex).

The 40-year-old manager of Sleeping Beauty, who is the person most likely to face prosecution, denies the charges.

Sleeping Beauty occupied all three floors of a building in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, which is also home to Love Hotel Hill. It loaned cosplay costumes to patrons and held regular DJ events to help set the mood.

Though its website is now offline, it had over 9,000 followers on Twitter, where it advertised its upcoming campaigns and events. According to the police, it had raked in over ¥540 million in sales since October 2020.