Recently I guest-blogged for Loneleeplanet, discussing the controversial matter of ‘Love Dolls’, or ‘Sex Dolls’, and challenging the social taboo surrounding them. As an appendix to that, here I will look at the practice of renting love dolls, usually by the hour! Is there a market for soft silicone against the flesh?
(Above image from Orient Industries)
So first up, here’s the link to the post about Love Dolls and whether or not it is right to stigmatise people who own them:
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Love Doll Directories
A central site for cataloguing information about Love Dolls and rentals is Doll World. On their ‘About’ page, they have the following:
このサイトでは、ラブドールを貴方の希望の場所までデリバリー、つまり宅配(レンタル)するサービスを行っているお店や、店舗型のレンタルスペース、 DOLLとの撮影が可能なお店を紹介しています。最近はTVや雑誌などでも紹介され、話題になりつつある一体60万円以上の超高級ラブドールですが、なかなか手が出ないのが現状です。いちどレンタルして購入前のお試しをしてみるもヨシ、「スペースがないよーー」という方はいろんな子をレンタルするもヨシ。そんな時にあなたのお役に立てるような、ラブドールの総合情報サイトを目指してゆきたいと思っています。（・∀・）ノ
Translated:
This site introduces companies that send love dolls to your desired place, in other words stores operating a rental service, as well as store rental spaces and places that you can take pictures with the dolls. Recently the high-quality love dolls priced at over 600,000 yen that have been the subject of much talk on television and in magazines are difficult to come by. It might be good to try before buying, or helpful for those of you who don’t have any space but want to rent various types of doll. We aim to offer this integrated information site to help you find the information you need when you need it.
Another similar site seems to be a dictionary of sorts; a directory for all the places in Japan that you can find Love Doll shops: Love Doll Directory
At the time of writing, the only site listed as offering shipment all over Japan is on Doll World is Richdoll. Let’s take a look at what they offer:
Above: RichDoll’s Homepage
Here’s a selection of the products:
And the price listings:
So, there’s a 2000 yen sign-up fee before you can do anything, but after that there are all sorts of extras. As far as I can tell, the dolls are delivered to your home. A 70 minute ‘taster’ course will set you back 13,000 yen (about 60 pounds), or the store’s 120 minute ‘recommended’ course for 16,000 yen (75 pounds). A 180 minute run is recommended for those wanting to use costumes and take photographs of the dolls, all for 23,000 yen (110 pounds). There’s also an ‘all-night’ course, a ’24-hour’ course and a ‘VIP’ course offering 2 nights and 3 days for those loyal customers who happen to reside in the surrounding areas (there is a separate price list for those living in places further afield).
My Hole
One point caught my attention in the above screenshot:
マイホール有で１０００円割引となります。
There is a 1000 yen discount for the use of ‘MyHole’.
What’s a ‘MyHole’? Good question. Have you ever heard of ‘MyCar’ or ‘MyHashi’ in Japan? These are products that one owns – hence the ‘my’. So ‘MyHashi’ is one’s own pair of chopsticks and ‘MyCar’ is one’s own car. And ‘Myhole’? One’s own hole.
Still not figured it out? Think about how a company would go about keeping these dolls clean and hygienic if they are renting them out to guys to use as sex toys. A special ‘hole’ maybe..?
Love Doll Usage Q&A
Here are some of the more interesting questions (translated) from the Q&A page on Richdoll:
ドールはどんなものを使用しているの？
What kind of materials are you using in your dolls?
当店で取扱いしているドールは１体60万～70万円前後するシリコン製高級ドールを使用しております。
In our company we use high-quality dolls approximately 600,000~700,00 yen in price made of silicone.
局部（ホール）は新品を使っているの？
Do you use new parts (holes)?
当店では衛星第一に考慮しておりますので、勿論新品のホールを使用しております。使用後はドールとの思い出として、ホールをお持ち帰りいただいて結構です。
In our company, we take hygiene very seriously, so of course we always use new products. After using, you may take the hole home as a memento of your time.
(It is interesting to note that the company used the wrong kanji for eisei: 衛星 (meaning satellite) when they really meant 衛生 (meaning hygiene).
入浴はできるの？
Can you take the dolls in the bath?
入浴は可能です。ただし、髪の毛を濡らさないようにお願いいたします。肩より上を水で濡らさないようお気をつけください。
You can take the dolls in the bath. However, we ask that you do not get their hair wet. Please take care not to wet the dolls above the shoulders.
重さはどのくらいあるの？
How heavy are the dolls?
ドールによって体重が26kg～28kg程度あります。重量がございますのでお部屋についてのセッティングはスタッフがいたします。
Depending on the doll, they are about 26-28kg. They are very heavy, so the staff will set them up when they arrive at your house.
衛生面はどうなっているの？
How do you keep things hygienic?
お客様に安心してお楽しみいただくために衛生管理は厳重に行っております。常時、完全消毒・殺菌処理を施しておりますので、性病などの心配なく安心してお遊びいただけます。
In order for you to enjoy the products in peace of mind, we take hygiene management very strictly. Normally the dolls are completely disinfected and treated germicidally so that there is no risk of STDs.
どのように遊べばいいの？
How can I use the dolls?
性的なご使用は勿論のこと、一緒にお風呂に入ってあげたり、色々な衣装を着せて写真撮影するなど遊び方は無限大です。
Of course, using the dolls sexually is a given, but you can also take baths with them and dress them up and take pictures. The possibilities are infinite.
どこに呼んでもいいの？
Where can I call you to?
まずはご自宅でのご利用をお勧めいたします。ご家庭の事情や理由がある場合、お近くのシティーホテル・ビジネスホテルなどで利用許可をご確認いただいた上でのご利用もできます。
First of all we recommend using the dolls at home. If there are circumstances and reasons why you cannot, we can check if it is okay to use the dolls at a nearby hotel or business hotel.
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So there you have it. Curious. Shocking. Disgusting, perhaps. But the reality is a business providing men who may have problems interacting with real woman a chance to ‘let some steam off’, so to speak. Whether or not this is the best way of dealing with the problem… Well, that’s what your comment is for! What are your thoughts on love doll rental? Head over to Loneleeplanet to discuss the social implications of love dolls, or if your comment is specifically about the rental of love dolls, have your say here ^^.
Thanks for your article. Links to several sites seem to be dead or now irrelevant (linking to hooker sites). I am coming to Tokyo and want to research (tough job but somebody’s gotta do it) doll ‘brothels’. Other than one or two high end high-profile companies who are manufacturers/importers, all I can find now are delivery services, not ‘in house’ services.
One doesn’t buy a Lamborghini without going for a test drive first…
Any idea where to get current accurate info?
In addition many of the manufacturer sites do not translate in Google Translate.
A person I know stated recently that he thought that my interest in love dolls like the RealDoll was “scaring” real women away from me, even though no woman had told me that. He used the word “predator”. How it’s predatorial is something I can’t quite understand. Predation is child molestation; predation is rape. Predation is not a term that applies to love dolls. If people had really thought that the character Lars and the Real Girl was a predator, the movie would have been perceived as creepy and scary, not as sweet and poignant.
As I get older and do not want the complications of wining and dining and romantic expensive relationships or overbearing nagging gold diggers , I begin to understand why guys would rather have a love doll . I do not know if the sexual gratification is the same but I reckon it could be better as you are not under pressure to prove yourself or keep the lady happy . After all , most guys could not give a rats ass if the woman had an orgasm or not . Hookers are expensive if you want anything half decent looking . But then there is the risk of diseases , getting mugged etc . Maybe I should have a look at that . After all , what you do in the privacy of your home is your business , no one else .
well i’d rent one before i would buy it.
Great article, it reminds me of the film ‘Lars and the Real Girl’, about a man who falls in love with a doll. Really sweet and sharp, with some good points to make about loneliness and relationships.
I am very curious about the male silicone dolls. I would like to experience “being” with one, but do not know if such a rental service is available in the US–New York more specifically. Any suggestions? Thank you. geikoman
its a little serious to be using a doll like this.
dudes have been getting off with their own hands for years… think about it.
I would like to know if here are any teen mae dolls on the market . Any ideas?
It has often been said that if you want to give up sex, get married. Very few women want a continuing sexual relationship whereas most men want continuing sex. The utter lonliness of either not being able to find a partner who is sexually attracted to you or having a partner who no longer wants to have a sexual relationship is so dibilitating that stress and depression set in with dire consequences. I have been involved in robotics for decades and always find many others working on their own animatronic prototypes with varying degrees of success. Good on the Japanese for creating a `Whole` experience rather than just a localised one. Jealousy is not an issue and happy lives can continue. Now if only I could develop that Positronic Brain…………
If you're using the doll for masturbation, how that any different than a guy banging one out while looking at a magazine? It's just a more realistic representation.
Before the armchair (and non-doll owning) psychologists dominate the discussion a good segment of us use the dolls for occasional release. Many of us are well-adjusted. I've been in a long-term relationship for over 3 years. I have normal monogamous sexual relations with my girl.
I do not treat the dolls as a person or anything other than what they are. A very nice sex toy.
Next we'll hear the shade tree shrinks discuss how using a dildo is really a transitional disembodied penis.
If you're using the doll for masturbation, how that any different than a guy banging one out while looking at a magazine? It's just a more realistic representation.
Before the armchair (and non-doll owning) psychologists dominate the discussion a good segment of us use the dolls for occasional release. Many of us are well-adjusted. I've been in a long-term relationship for over 3 years. I have normal monogamous sexual relations with my girl.
I do not treat the dolls as a person or anything other than what they are. A very nice sex toy.
Next we'll hear the shade tree shrinks discuss how using a dildo is really a transitional disembodied penis.
OMG! adult sex dolls for rent?? I think it is a little bit weird….
Why ? Hookers are for rent … cars too … tents furniture etc etc etc .
Actually, Alex, women have much less of a problem finding sexual partners, even really unattractive women, so it makes sense that there wouldn't be as much demand for something like this…And there are dildos and vibrators out there after all, which I've heard female friends call “B.o.B.” (battery operated boyfriend). So, one could make the arguement that at least these men view women as complete physical bodies, whereas the women using dildos and vibrators think of men as disembodied penises.
In actuality, both sexes masturbate, and both sexes seek emotional fulfillment from non-human relationships when they are lonely, though for women it is more likely to be a relationship with a soap opera or trashy romance novel, but it can also be all sorts of dolls, from the collectibles that lonely older women can become obsessed with to the body-pillows with sex symbol pillowcases that lonely preteen girls sleep and snuggle with at night. Just because some men choose life size, anatomically correct dolls and combine their sexual and emotional needs in one object doesnt mean they neccessarily have warped views of women, nor does it speak to the viewpoint of all males (since it is likely an extremely small percentage of men who would consider using these), what it does mean is that socially awkward or physically unattractive men do have trouble getting women, for casual sex OR relationships. If prostitution was legalized, and the prostitutes were trained like courtesans or geisha were before modern views changed things, so that they were trained for companionship AND sex, we probably wouldn't even be having this discussion because these dolls (some of which could cost a year's salary) would likely not exist.
what about woman … is there just as much demand for male dolls ?????? NOT .. right !! why is that .. !!!!?? .. man are such poor creatures ! yes . everybody should do whatever they feel like … but Jesus …. !! think about it . HOW SAD . it shows what these man actually think of woman . wrapped toys .
In my opinion, there are various people that are attracted to the dolls for various reasons. But the fact of a growing market tells you one thing…there is a growing rampant feeling of loneliness in society….whether loving a doll is good or bad…short term or long term…I don't know. But for a man to resort to a doll and fantasy as a treatment of lost companionship or loneliness tells you something…women just don't care…I've been there…and struggle everyday…
Huh !
I find it strange, but anyway sexuality is a matter of taste and fantasy and nothing should be condemned as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
As stated here, the same thing does exist in many other countries. I guess it’s expensive but we can buy inflatable dolls in France too … so Japan shouldn’t be stigmatized for this.
I wonder … do they make masculine dolls for gay guys too ?
Huh !
I find it strange, but anyway sexuality is a matter of taste and fantasy and nothing should be condemned as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
As stated here, the same thing does exist in many other countries. I guess it’s expensive but we can buy inflatable dolls in France too … so Japan shouldn’t be stigmatized for this.
I wonder … do they make masculine dolls for gay guys too ?
A very good article about a taboo topic. It’s really hard to make it sound serious, huh? :)
A very good article about a taboo topic. It’s really hard to make it sound serious, huh? :)
how u send it to me in saudi arabia (KSA)
how u send it to me in saudi arabia (KSA)
I think people should shut up and take care of their own business what a person does in his (or her) own bed room should be personal information and not open to public discussion
I think things considered personal and private should most definitely be up for public discussion. It seems to me that it is precisely because people don’t talk about them properly that they become stigmatised.
I think people should shut up and take care of their own business what a person does in his (or her) own bed room should be personal information and not open to public discussion
I think things considered personal and private should most definitely be up for public discussion. It seems to me that it is precisely because people don’t talk about them properly that they become stigmatised.
Could you imagine catching an STD from a doll? I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror.
Could you imagine catching an STD from a doll? I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror.
It’s difficult to approach this topic thoughtfully without sounding a little alarmist because the short-term and long-term consequences are likely dramatically different. There are few short-term issues. If a lonely person wants to masturbate with an object that resembles a person he or she is attracted to, it harms no one. There can, however, be long-term societal consequences.
In psychology, there is a term, “transitional object”. This is an item that children usually use to make an emotional transition from their mothers. Generally, the transition is mother to object (like a stuffed toy or blanket) to relationships with significant others. The danger of these types of dolls is that they so closely resemble the object one is supposed to relate to that men may not find themselves encouraged to move on to real women. While I have no problem with a person anthropomorphizing a doll and having a long term “relationship” with it in the privacy of his own home, there are almost certainly going to be personal and societal consequences. The risk is that the person never moves from the relationship to the transitional object to one with a real person.
People who rely on these dolls for physical fulfillment risk using them for emotional fulfillment as well, particularly since the doll is, in one sense, a “perfect” companion. It demands nothing, gives physical gratification, and never ages. However, even the most deluded user knows it’s not real and will suffer esteem issues and deep loneliness. The doll won’t care for him when he’s sick or old. The doll won’t love him, and having it as a crutch risks stunting emotional growth and makes it easy not to learn how to relate to real people one is attracted to. I think that long-term use could result in men who develop distorted views of women and relate to them from a very self-centered perspective (as their “experience” is with a doll that only serves their needs).
Ironically, these dolls could serve a purpose for those with irresistible deviant impulses (such as pedophiles and pederasts), but my guess is that they will not be used for such a therapeutic purpose because of the sense that such people are evil rather than mentally ill.
Hi Orchid. Thanks for the detailed and insightful comment ^^.
It is indeed very difficult to talk about this subject seriously, which is why I chose to write about it. Almost all the literature I came across on the web (apart from the video documentary and one other site) just published emotive, shock reactions to the Love Doll phenomenon. Most people never try to think beyond that and just damn Love Dolls on teh basis that they are ‘weird’ and ‘unnatural’.
You raise a great point about the distinction between long term and short term effects. The use of a transitional object to emotionally mature was news to me too, but it really makes sense. You are right as well that many of the people who use these love dolls seem to get emotional gratification from their relationship too.
I would agree that many of these people probably do have problems socialisng and living in reality, and could lead to distorted views of society. Certainly, the problems these people face should not try to be solved by using dolls, but what about the discrete minority who are past the point of return?
You seem to mention this in your last paragraph. People like paedophiles and, I might argue, people who have lost someone close to them and feel that they cannot love again, might benefit from the company of dolls.
I think it certainly bears questioning whether emotionally healthy people can have relationships with dolls though. I don’t see why it must be the case that they cannot, although it does seem highly likely these sort of people will have emotional problems.
It’s difficult to approach this topic thoughtfully without sounding a little alarmist because the short-term and long-term consequences are likely dramatically different. There are few short-term issues. If a lonely person wants to masturbate with an object that resembles a person he or she is attracted to, it harms no one. There can, however, be long-term societal consequences.
In psychology, there is a term, “transitional object”. This is an item that children usually use to make an emotional transition from their mothers. Generally, the transition is mother to object (like a stuffed toy or blanket) to relationships with significant others. The danger of these types of dolls is that they so closely resemble the object one is supposed to relate to that men may not find themselves encouraged to move on to real women. While I have no problem with a person anthropomorphizing a doll and having a long term “relationship” with it in the privacy of his own home, there are almost certainly going to be personal and societal consequences. The risk is that the person never moves from the relationship to the transitional object to one with a real person.
People who rely on these dolls for physical fulfillment risk using them for emotional fulfillment as well, particularly since the doll is, in one sense, a “perfect” companion. It demands nothing, gives physical gratification, and never ages. However, even the most deluded user knows it’s not real and will suffer esteem issues and deep loneliness. The doll won’t care for him when he’s sick or old. The doll won’t love him, and having it as a crutch risks stunting emotional growth and makes it easy not to learn how to relate to real people one is attracted to. I think that long-term use could result in men who develop distorted views of women and relate to them from a very self-centered perspective (as their “experience” is with a doll that only serves their needs).
Ironically, these dolls could serve a purpose for those with irresistible deviant impulses (such as pedophiles and pederasts), but my guess is that they will not be used for such a therapeutic purpose because of the sense that such people are evil rather than mentally ill.
Hi Orchid. Thanks for the detailed and insightful comment ^^.
It is indeed very difficult to talk about this subject seriously, which is why I chose to write about it. Almost all the literature I came across on the web (apart from the video documentary and one other site) just published emotive, shock reactions to the Love Doll phenomenon. Most people never try to think beyond that and just damn Love Dolls on teh basis that they are ‘weird’ and ‘unnatural’.
You raise a great point about the distinction between long term and short term effects. The use of a transitional object to emotionally mature was news to me too, but it really makes sense. You are right as well that many of the people who use these love dolls seem to get emotional gratification from their relationship too.
I would agree that many of these people probably do have problems socialisng and living in reality, and could lead to distorted views of society. Certainly, the problems these people face should not try to be solved by using dolls, but what about the discrete minority who are past the point of return?
You seem to mention this in your last paragraph. People like paedophiles and, I might argue, people who have lost someone close to them and feel that they cannot love again, might benefit from the company of dolls.
I think it certainly bears questioning whether emotionally healthy people can have relationships with dolls though. I don’t see why it must be the case that they cannot, although it does seem highly likely these sort of people will have emotional problems.
Who says human companions will care for when you get old or any other emotional need a guy may have.
I suggest the real leap will come when these dolls actually become robots as real as DATA on star trek(female versions and male robots) . They will interact with artificial intelligence and as you can see the dolls can be realistic . It will happen and sometime soon and when it does the next sexual revolution will occur. The 1960s saw females gain the upper hand in sexual relations but the 2060s will see them discarded for a less complicated substitute.
Wow…after reading more about them it’s doesn’t seem all that bad. I wonder if they rent them to foreigners…hmmm
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I can’t see why not. If you decide to rent one to find out, be sure to give us the insider’s account (the clean account!)
Wow…after reading more about them it’s doesn’t seem all that bad. I wonder if they rent them to foreigners…hmmm
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I can’t see why not. If you decide to rent one to find out, be sure to give us the insider’s account (the clean account!)
I was a little sad after reading this article. I think it’s a bit of a shame that men would have to use blow dolls for sexual gratification. It’s a sad state of affairs in Japan.
But not just Japan! If you take a look at the post over on Loneleeplanet, you’ll see that some Americans and people from other countries use them too! Still, I agree that it is a little sad…
I don’t know what is so sad about it? Fetishes are something that people should embrace and enjoy. Now there are cases of people who let their dolls takeover their lives and forgo human interaction*, and like any fetish that would be something to worry about. Compared to some of the human trafficking and child abuse that exists in the sex industry using a realdoll in comparison is quite harmless. Frankly, it’s just very complicated masturbation.
*I think Danny Choo had a video on his site about a guy like that in Tokyo last year.
I was a little sad after reading this article. I think it’s a bit of a shame that men would have to use blow dolls for sexual gratification. It’s a sad state of affairs in Japan.
But not just Japan! If you take a look at the post over on Loneleeplanet, you’ll see that some Americans and people from other countries use them too! Still, I agree that it is a little sad…
I don’t know what is so sad about it? Fetishes are something that people should embrace and enjoy. Now there are cases of people who let their dolls takeover their lives and forgo human interaction*, and like any fetish that would be something to worry about. Compared to some of the human trafficking and child abuse that exists in the sex industry using a realdoll in comparison is quite harmless. Frankly, it’s just very complicated masturbation.
*I think Danny Choo had a video on his site about a guy like that in Tokyo last year.