I have Japanese citizenship, and I heard that they can make pretty good money.. but I’m not sure if exactly host material. I’m not a native Japanese; the only time I spoke Japanese was to my parents growing up. I’m evidentally not very good at remembering Japanese names. I’m also a bit old relative to the industry, late 20s. I’m not particularly skilled at anything possibly related to being a host, ie;, flirting, singing, dancing, fashion, mixology. I also don’t know much about Japanese pop culture as I didn’t grow up here, so a lot of references might just go over my head. Last thing is I don’t really have that typical host club boyish face, but I also don’t have a super manly face; just somewhere in the middle.
Having said all that, I do think I’m a good listener. So, do I have what it takes?
Edit: Then how about レンタル彼氏?
22 comments
Speaking and understanding fluent Japanese is the most basic requirement I’d imagine.
No you don’t have what it takes because of everything you said. Maybe try a sport.
High charisma and the ability to manipulate people
And anime hair
Honestly no I don’t think host would be the best job for you. Have you thought about acting? It can pay pretty well if you have what they are looking for.
Bait.
That Willy wonka meme
My wife’s friend’s husband runs some host bars in Osaka.
From what he’s told me.
1. Be tall and good looking.
2. Be prepared to listen to some of the most boring conversations you’ve ever heard. There are customers who just talk about their dogs and cats and clothes and shit for aaaages.
3. If you’re a native english speaker, there is a market for people who want to talk with you, but it’s slim pickings compared to regular customers. Are you a white dude? That helps with that angle a lot.
Don’t forget the ability to drink like a fish in water.
I hear there are a few gaijin host bars in Tokyo or Osaka, but I imagine much of the clientele is looking for a young Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio. But even there, speaking Japanese well and knowing pop references from the last 20+ years would be rather important.
Not an expert on this, but I heard the hosts are usually alcoholics. They need to drink a lot as the customers buy them drink. Even if they are watered down, this still means a lot of booze. This is also on purpose as this typically traps the hosts into the bar as they cannot get a job easily due to their addiction.
In addition there is the fact that hosts likely do not make that much money. Lower level hosts do not get access to high level customers and unless they bring in customers themselves, they will earn very little. They are also likely used as aides by the popular hosts, so taking a lot of crap is expected.
The system is also a pyramid system. Some of the customers spend a lot and request the most popular hosts. This means that they will be higher ranked and will get access to the customers that visit the club just to launder some money or whatever.
Since it is a pyramid system, you will likely need to team up with a hostess and visit her shop and pay a lot, so she can return the favor at your club increasing your rank.
This inflates the real salary of popular hosts by quite a lot.
There is also the outfit I guess, but not sure about that.
Anyway, if you want to know what it takes, try to persuade some women to join you and buy you a drink at a bar. If you can find some, then I think you are golden.
Being a Host is all about talking, listening and being a good entertainer to your guests.
From your own description, you would likely have a REALLY hard time as a host and I’d recommend you to either try it as a “Hobby”/sidegig for a little while or just stay clear all together.
While it CAN be very well paid – That is ONLY for the VERY popular hosts; The “regular” hosts do not get paid all that well and you’d likely be better of just getting a normal job.
Try Butler cafes first and see how you go. If you find that girls are into you and you still wanna be host then go from there?
The Lucy Blackman documentary showed some of roppongi that had foreign on kabakuras, I bet there’s host version too – why not pop down and see what it takes. But I’m sure you gotta be pretty stunning or wear some make up / anime hair
I’ve been to some nice Kyabakura shops with clients and partners and they are the most boring shit in the world! 😆 I can’t get over how people pay so much for this shit. You need to talk and pretend to enjoy some old ass man’s bs. Period. Pour booze and light cigarettes.
‘i have literally none of the qualifications, do you think i have a shot at at this?’
…is this a meme?
Top paragraph of negatives is way bigger than the bottom paragraph of strengths. What was the point of this post?
Hello there!
I can give you some insight to this type of work.
I have worked as a part time host for international host clubs.
The main things you gotta keep in mind are:
– You need to be strong at and enjoy drinking. You will drink a lot, and no matter how bad you are feeling from last night’s drinking you still need to show up to work and drink again with your customers or as a helper. On top of that, you must be able to keep doing a good job with table manners, work tasks, helping other named hosts and entertaining the customers.
– Your looks are not the main factor. Of course you must present yourself with hygiene and look well dressed, but I’ve seen many hosts that are not good looking, but they have something else to offer. Good sense of humor or being good at conversations are skills that can get you customers.
– It’s not as easy as you might think. You must make and bring customers on a daily basis or else you will get a really bad salary.
It can be fun and it’s an interesting job, but remember that you’re compromising your health in exchange. If you are ok with that, and you believe you can make and keep customers coming back to spend a lot for your company then it would be worth a try.
It’s not hard to get into this type of work, it’s hard to thrive. Bear in mind that those hosts who are making a lot of money have build their network of customers over time and have customers spending hundreds of thousands yen everytime they visit them.
The bait has been low effort these days
You need to have Charisma Uniqueness Nerve Talent 💅
Looks, and willingness to put in make-up, exercise to keep in shape. Also be aware that you need to send a lot of SNS messages and provide “after” services to maintain your clients.
So your work hours will always be more than the store hours.
Good money also depends on location. Kabukicho host clubs will have the best market.
Do you think women will pay to talk to you? Even if you’re not fluent in Japanese? Do you have anything to make up for the huge disadvantage? If not, then no.
How about rental boyfriend? Or butler cafe, as someone suggested.
So you don’t have any skills? Why not rent yourself out and “ do nothing” like Shoji Morimoto… I think he charges 10k for each booking