Soaplands

Japanese bathhouses or high-end brothels are known locally as soaplands – a name with an interesting history. Before 1984, these insalubrious establishments were called ‘Turkish baths’, but the conservative Turks found this too offensive and diplomatic pressure forced a name change. Unable to come up something themselves, the Tokyo Special Bathhouse Association launched a nationwide competition to find a new name, with a three-day holiday in Hokkaido as the prize (baths inclusive, presumably). ‘Soaplands’ was the winning entry.