This is an in-depth study into the history of Karayuki-san and the Japanese prostitutes in Singapore. We’ll dig deep into history and try to reason how and why, and if so, when did they leave.

Karayuki-san does not exist in Singapore anymore. While we may imagine this to be a saucy story, it really is the opposite. It is hard to imagine that anyone in Singapore could book into a Japanese brothel. In a “Truth is stranger than Fiction” analogy, Singapore indeed had numerous Japanese brothels in the early days.

By the middle of the 20th century, almost all were gone. So, what happened? We’ll start this story with the first waves of arrivals from Amakusa, Japan. Today, there is hardly any trace of Japanese prostitution in Singapore. But the truth remains they were once here.

Our tour will start at one of the first living quarters at Bencoolen Street and parts of the Middle Road area. It is seldom mentioned that The Bugis once worked almost side by side with the Karayuki-san – (although they did not merge). The Bugis were into other trades – though not always piracy.

We meet at Bras Basah MRT (Exit D/E, in the direction of Waterloo Street – street level) at 9am, Sun, 13th Sept. This tour will end smack in the middle of the former Japanese Red-Light District.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]
W: www.unclechrisdrivingholidays.com

Note:
• We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.