Hostess

A hostess is a female cast member who sits at a guest's table, keeps the conversation going and pours drinks. High-end clubs in Ginza or Kitashinchi still say hostess; hostess clubs say kyabajo, and the trade as a whole says cast. Under the Amusement Business Act a hostess sitting beside a guest counts as settai, and the venue holds a hospitality licence for it.

Guests can nominate a hostess, and a nomination fee is charged per set. Her job is conversation and drinks; touching is outside what the venue offers. If you like a particular hostess, note her name and nominate her on your next visit.