Go Tokyo Your Experience
A recent amusing yet awkward incident at a hot spring in Kyoto has sparked widespread discussion. The 22-year-old AV actor and crossdresser Ritsu Komori faced an unusual challenge when he was mistaken for a female by the onsen staff and was blocked from entering the men’s bath, ultimately resorting to an extreme measure to prove his gender.
On the day of the incident, Ritsu Komori was about to enter the men’s bath when a staff member mistook him for a foreign female guest. The staff immediately intervened, reminding him in Japanese, “This is the men’s bath!” Despite Komori repeatedly explaining that he was male, the staff remained unconvinced and even switched to English to deter him. Faced with this stalemate, Komori made a surprising move by lifting his skirt and revealing his male genitalia. This action left the staff in shock, and after multiple confirmations, they finally believed Komori and quietly apologized.
The story quickly spread online, generating extensive discussion. Some netizens expressed understanding of the staff’s predicament, noting that judging gender based on appearance alone can be difficult in today’s society. Others sympathized with Komori for having to resort to such an extreme measure. As society progresses, the understanding of gender is no longer confined to traditional notions, presenting new challenges for managing public spaces. The onsen management stated that they would provide further training for their staff to better handle similar situations in the future. They also called for public understanding, emphasizing that finding a balance between maintaining public order and respecting individual rights is an ongoing process.