What Is Shimei? Nomination at Japanese Hostess Clubs Explained
Shimei (指名) means “nomination”: asking for a particular hostess to sit with you at a kyabakura, lounge or club. Without a nomination, hostesses take turns at your table. With one, the hostess you chose spends more of the time with you. Venues charge a fee for it.
The two main kinds
| Term | Japanese | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Hon-shimei | 本指名 | You ask for a hostess by name when you arrive, usually one you met before or saw on the venue’s website. |
| Jonai-shimei | 場内指名 | You meet a hostess during the evening and ask her to stay at your table. |
Some venues also list a nomination during an extension, or a fee when the number of nominated hostesses is higher than the number of guests. Read the price list for the exact terms.
What it costs
From the published price lists of the venues we checked in October 2026:
- Hon-shimei: median ¥3,000 across 108 venues (range ¥1,000 to ¥4,400).
- Jonai-shimei: median ¥3,000 across 35 venues that list it separately (range ¥1,200 to ¥3,300).
The fee is added to the subtotal, so the service charge and tax apply to it too. Some venues charge it again with each extension. See hostess club prices for the other lines.
Things to know
- A nomination means that hostess spends more time at your table. It does not guarantee anything beyond that, and no venue can promise a particular hostess will be available.
- You do not have to nominate anyone. Many first-time visitors do not.
- Drinks you buy for a nominated hostess are charged separately, as for any hostess.
- Regular guests sometimes go to dinner with a nominated hostess before the club opens. This is called dohan and has its own fee.
In short
Shimei is choosing a hostess to sit with you. Hon-shimei is by name on arrival, jonai-shimei is during the evening, and both usually cost a few thousand yen plus service charge and tax. Check the price list before you nominate.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does shimei mean?
- Shimei (指名) means "nomination": asking for a particular hostess to sit with you. Without one, hostesses take turns at your table. Venues charge a fee for it.
- What is the difference between hon-shimei and jonai-shimei?
- Hon-shimei (本指名) is asking for a hostess by name when you arrive. Jonai-shimei (場内指名) is asking a hostess you met during the evening to stay at your table.
- How much is a nomination, and do I have to nominate?
- Both usually cost a few thousand yen, plus service charge and tax, and some venues charge again with each extension. You do not have to nominate anyone; many first-time visitors do not.
Also written as: shimei / honshimei / jonai shimei / 指名 / 本指名 / 場内指名 / 지명
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