What Is Dohan? Japanese Hostess Club Etiquette Explained

What does dohan mean?

Dohan refers to meeting a cast member before club hours, usually for dinner, and then entering the club together. It is a common part of Japanese hostess club and kyabakura culture.

How dohan works

A guest arranges dinner with a cast member before her shift. After dinner, both go to the venue together. The club may count this as a valuable visit for the cast member and may charge related fees depending on the venue.

Etiquette during dohan

Be punctual, choose an appropriate restaurant, pay politely and avoid pressuring the cast member. Dohan is about hospitality and relationship-building, not a private date in the casual sense.

What foreign guests should know

If you are unfamiliar with the system, ask the venue or concierge to explain fees and expectations before arranging dohan.