Does doing papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) make you feel miserable? I have more money than I used to, yet I feel incredibly miserable. I was born and raised in a wealthy family. I attended an elite girls’ school for middle and high school, then went straight on to my current university. Earlier, while I was working my part-time job, I saw a girl coming home from ballet in the same middle and high school uniform I used to wear, walking with a neat, fairly affluent-looking father who seemed like the kind of man you’d see in the papa-katsu world. Come to think of it, everyone around me in middle and high school was like that. I think I fit right in, too.
This content is machine-translated.
And yet now I find myself thinking, “What am I doing, spreading my legs for old men and taking their money?” I’ve received hundreds of times more money than I ever had as a high school student. This year, since starting papa-katsu, I’ve received a total of five million yen in cash from men. When I was in high school, my monthly allowance was only 10,000 yen, so it’s completely different. And yet I felt more fulfilled back then. Now I should have plenty of financial breathing room, but I’m constantly worried about money. Even when I’m able to save 500,000 yen every month, I still find myself thinking, “I’m running out of money. I don’t have enough. What am I going to do?”
Why do I feel so unfulfilled? It’s not like there’s anything in particular I want. I even used the allowance I received to have cosmetic surgery, and now I have a face I’m happy with.
I don’t know what I’m missing.
This is Kida, the representative.
You’re a college student who’s made ¥5 million through papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) so far—pay your taxes, by the way.
If you’ve been receiving ¥500,000 a month, that means you’ve been going on about five to ten dates a month. And you’re still working a part-time job, right?
That’s something to be proud of.
You paid for the face you wanted with money you earned yourself, put most of it into savings, and you’re still working a regular hourly job, aren’t you?
Hold your head high.
I may be calling myself “the representative” and acting all high and mighty, but I couldn’t save ¥500,000 a month.
And now you’re saying, “Is something missing?”
That’s great!
A hungry college girl is unstoppable.
You just haven’t had enough yet. If ¥500,000 a month isn’t enough, aim for ¥1 million—or ¥5 million.
That’s what they call a moonshot. Even the people at Google who are into that sort of thing are doing the same.
You can make up to ¥500,000 a month by playing that game, but there’s no way you can make ¥5 million that way, right?
So maybe you need to raise your rates because you can’t simply increase the number of dates.
Or move to the management side.
Or start consulting for the girls.
Or form a business partnership with Universe Club, generate ¥50 million a month in sales, and take a 10% commission.
You really haven’t gotten anything from those papas besides money, have you?
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Fuu, a column writer.
If you’re not struggling financially, I don’t think you should do papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) to the point of making yourself feel miserable...
Please work hard and earn your own money.
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Nana Ayase ♡
I think there may be something missing from your life right now—something that would truly fulfill your heart.
What made you want to start papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) in the first place?
Maybe what you’re really looking for is a genuine romantic partner?
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Flag Maker, a papa-katsu column writer.
I’m sad because it looks like a pair I thought had been seeing each other smoothly is about to leave. They’d been together for six months.
I’ve always had this theory that even a good arrangement hits its limit at six months—and I guess I was right.
I was thinking about quitting, but I ended up accepting a new offer. I honestly don’t know what I’m lacking.
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Rin, a female member of SALON.
You must have grown up in a happy family. I imagine you felt valued and cared for by them in ways that went beyond money.
Why not take a break from papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) for a while and spend more time with your family and friends? It might help to reflect on what originally motivated you to start.
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Dai, a male member.
It sounds like papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) has become something like sex work for you.
You may be doing papa-katsu for the money, but if you keep dating just anyone, don’t you think you’ll eventually start to feel miserable?
Also, earning ¥500,000 a month is equivalent to an annual income of around ¥10 million. If you’re still running out of money after spending that much, your sense of financial judgment may have gotten out of hand.
Why not try decluttering your relationships and starting fresh?
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m in Seattle.
The second person I’m seeing is thrilled with a ¥5,000 allowance.
If you can get ¥5 million, take more and let’s make a game of saving up ¥10 million.
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Aya, a female member.
Try remembering why you started papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) in the first place. Be as specific as possible.
For example:
I started papa-katsu because I wanted money.
↓
What did I want to spend it on?
↓
I wanted to be able to buy luxury cosmetics freely.
↓
What, specifically, did I want?
↓
I especially wanted a CHANEL lipstick and eyeshadow.
↓
Have I gotten them now?
↓
Yes, I have.
Writing things out in detail like this may help you remember what motivated you at the beginning.
At the same time, you’ll be able to clearly see whether you’ve achieved that original goal, which might help you realize, “My wish has come true, so it’s okay to take my foot off the gas now.” I really recommend trying it.
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I gave up chasing after girls a long time ago.
Business is always my top priority. If you work hard at it, women will naturally come after you—including in real life.
I’d recommend that you set yourself a goal, too. Work toward that goal, and treat papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) as something separate—like dessert, so to speak. I think your state of mind will gradually improve.
A defeated man
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
I’m Taro, a male member.
At first, I thought, “Here we go again—another fake woman planted to liven up the message board.” But after reading to the end, your story was so compelling that I decided to believe you and respond.
I think what you’re missing is being loved.
That last 1% is what makes all the difference—and in a way, it’s also the whole 100%.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people who have deep darkness or a lot of baggage. In a sense, those things can lead to deeper relationships and more dramatic experiences.
Looking at it positively, you’re a dreamer pursuing your ideal life while overcoming hardships that ordinary people couldn’t endure.
If you don’t set any hard no’s, nothing is impossible. Keep pursuing what you truly want without hesitation, and you’ll definitely reach your goal. You’ll be fine—let’s keep going!
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
A high school girl who’s overjoyed to receive 2,000 yen
A papa-katsu girl whose allowance has gone up by several digits
All because of a difference of barely a year…
In yesterday’s drama *Saiai*, the detective said, “Once you cross the line…” But once you cross it, you can never go back… Especially when the amounts are on a whole different scale…
All you can do is keep meeting the demands and staying satisfied in the world you’ve crossed into.
—Paper Airplane
(3 replies left)
(3 replies left)
💡 This question has no password registered, so the reply feature is unavailable.
If you access from the device/browser used to post the question, you may be able to set a password later.
