One can relate to the term prostitution from different perspectives. It is viewed in our society as something that is a hush-hush matter. But regardless of what others think about prostitution and red light areas, it is a fact that it is the world’s oldest job. It’s a reality that many choose not to understand, but the way of life of the residents of the red light areas is full of struggles and experiences we might not be aware of.
Here we share some photos from some of the world’s most famous red light areas in full glory:
1. Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan
Kabukicho is one of the biggest red light areas in Japan, located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. There is an understanding between the bar and the women who are involved in the business of prostitution in this red light area. If a woman accompanies you, the payment will be split with the bar.
2. Reeperbahn, Hamburg, Germany
The Reeperbahn is a place in Germany that brings out Germany’s open approach to sexuality. There is a street known as ‘ Herbertstrasse’, where people below 18 are forbidden because one can find women behind glass windows a la De Wallen.
3. Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Wan Chai is just an ordinary city located in the metropolitan heart of Hong Kong, but not by the night. At night it turns into a thriving sex industry. It has a bar-based model of places like the ones in Thailand. The sex workers can converse with potential customers over drinks.
4. Koinange Street, Nairobi, Kenya
Prostitution is illegal in Kenya. But one of the jobs in the world doesn’t fail to thrive in the red light areas of Kenya. Koinange street is a major red light area in Kenya. Police breakdowns and criminal offenses are common here.
5. Miari, Seoul, South Korea
As in Kenya, prostitution is also illegal in South Korea but Miari is the biggest and largest prostitution market in the whole of South Korea. It is located near Gireum Station in the Wolgok-Dong area.
6. Zona Norte, Tijuana, México
One of the biggest red light areas in North America, this place is recognized by Brothels. They have everything from public strip clubs to nightclubs and bars on the streets. It is home to, You can find the oldest brothel in North America, Adelitas here. The area is labeled as a tolerance zone, meaning prostitution here is legal.
7. Pigalle, Paris, France
You can spot this area by spotting the famous Moulin Rouge windmill. This red light district is so famous that it even has a song dedicated to it. The area is full of sex shops, peepshows, brothels, speakeasy bars, and clubs. It is one of the most famous red light areas in the world.
8. De Wallen, Amsterdam, Netherlands
One of the most decorated red light areas in the world, De Wallen is specialized for its beautiful glass paneled cabins along the canals. Prostitution is legal whereas pimping is not. It’s like a full-fledged business here where brothels are also taxed.
9. Sonagachi, Kolkata, India
Sonagachi is Asia’s biggest red light area, the area is so huge that more than 11,000 sex workers inhabit the region. Born into Brothels, the Oscar-winning documentary showcased the lives of the children born to prostitutes in the red light areas. The situation is grave and hits hard.
10. Geylang and Orchard Towers, Singapore
Despite being one of the countries with harsh laws, it has a semi-legal prostitution law. Geylang is the famous red light district in Singapore and arguably the best apart from Orchard Towers, which is a mall loaded with ‘beauty parlors’
11. Schipperskwartier, Antwerp, Belgium
The only thing which confuses everyone is the name. The name is very complicated, But besides that, the Red Light area is one of the best and prostitution here is legal. And just like in Dutch. Here even the brothels are taxed.
12. Copacabana and Vila Mimosa, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
The biggest brothel in Brazil is the Centaurus. It is located near the beachside of Rio in Copacabana. As it is Brazil’s largest red light area even Celebrities are spotted here. But Vila Mimosa is the official Red Light area of Brazil.
13. Holbeck, Britain
At first, it was just a rundown suburb in Britain but in a few years, it became the official red light area. As long as the prostitutes are in the tolerance zone it is safe with no police interference.
14. Kamathipura, Mumbai, India
Among the Indian red light areas, Kamathipura is the second largest red light area district in India. The sex workers live there. The women living there also run a small beedi rolling industry. The area has been notorious and even the underworld gangsters like Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim visited this place frequently.
It is one of the biggest red light area in India. There is a Bollywood movie dedicated to this place named, Gangubai Kathiawadi.
15. Patpong Market, Bangkok, Thailand
Patpong can be said as the most famous red light area in Thailand. The area is filled with neon lights and everything seems dizzy. The streets are filled with hawkers lauding everything from ping pong to live sex and everything in between. Patpong night market of Thailand is very popular among tourists.
