Tour group to Japan to shoot AV with AV idols? Watch filming on set? Registration page crashes due to overwhelming traffic

▲ The so-called first-ever AV idol photography tour in Taiwan. (Photo / Screenshot from agency’s official website)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong, Taipei

What kind of travel itinerary can overwhelm a travel agency’s website to the point of shutdown? What kind of tour can drive all the men in Taiwan wild?

Recently, a Taiwan travel agency introduced what it claims to be the first-of-its-kind “Dark Tokyo Photography Tour,” touting that during the five-day, four-night trip, besides sightseeing, participants can witness live Japanese AV shoots, join AV idol photo sessions and cosplay events, and purchase merchandise. Featured AV stars include Anri Okita, Riri Kuribayashi, and Yua Aida. The tour was launched......and within just a few days, the itinerary spread like wildfire online, crashing the agency’s website under the weight of massive traffic..

After a huge surge in interest, the travel agency had no choice but to temporarily shut down the site due to overload. (Photo / Screenshot from agency’s official website)

According to an interview with the travel agency, this event is organized through collaboration between a well-known photography association, which handles AV shoot arrangements in Japan, while the travel agency manages transportation, accommodation, meals, and flight bookings.

A closer look at the website reveals......that Japanese AV agencies have imposed numerous restrictions and guidelines for the event, including bans on touching the idols, specifying poses or costumes, and so on.It’s nothing like the “thank-you festivals” or “juu-nan” (fee-paying audience member) scenarios seen in AVs — nor will there be any moments akin to “the AV idol letting out a soft moan and collapsing into the arms of the protagonist, eyes sultry, lips slightly parted, exhaling a faint orchid-like fragrance...”

The travel agency explained that full video recording and security personnel will be present on-site to ensure the safety of the idols and maintain the integrity of the event. The agency also plans high-end accommodations, dining, and tourist attractions, aiming to frame the experience as one of tourism and artistry. However, many inquiries still reveal expectations for “what might happen afterward.” The agency clarified that such matters are beyond their service scope.

%Personal information forms for participants were also made available on the website. (Photo / Screenshot from agency’s official website)

Regarding this trend, well-known AV expert “Yi Jian Wan Chun Qiu” shared in an interview that combining travel with the adult entertainment industry is not new in Japan, though it has been relatively rare in Taiwan due to operational constraints. Now, with travel agencies joining forces with photography associations to overcome hurdles and collaborate with Japan’s AV industry, they are indeed making history for Taiwan’s gentlemen.

Yi Jian Wan Chun Qiu also pointed out that cultural differences between Taiwan and Japan mean that Japanese idols coming to Taiwan face restrictions on clothing and content, making AV idol photo sessions in this tour particularly appealing.

Additionally, being able to visit the “set” of AV productions and observe the filming process from a unique perspective may offer a fresh outlook when opening those drives (D, E, F, G...) in the future.

Whether it’s the once-ubiquitous Tuoye Ge or the current AV-themed tours, it shows that although Taiwan’s adult entertainment industry remains more conservative compared to Japan, the acceptance among some Taiwanese consumers is gradually growing.

From long-term observation, Yi Jian Wan Chun Qiu believes Japanese AV studios are increasingly focusing on the Taiwan market. In Japan, AV idols have far more opportunities and formats for public appearances than in Taiwan. If this event is well-received, it could pave the way for more diverse collaborations between Taiwan and Japan in the future.

However, Yi Jian Wan Chun Qiu also noted that despite the travel agency’s website being overwhelmed with interest, when factoring in social norms and family considerations, the number of people actually willing to participate may still be limited.