On June 28, 2025, part of the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business, commonly known as the “Fueiho” (Entertainment Business Act), was revised. The purpose of the revision is to eliminate ambiguity around late-night operations and hospitality services, and to establish business rules that better reflect today’s realities. Snack bars are venues where people can enjoy food and drinks while connecting with others. In this article, we’ll explain the key points of the legal revision, the current status of snack bars, and how “Snack Yokocho” carefully selects safe and trustworthy establishments.

Here’s the article we posted last year about different types of establishments

Background and Key Points of the Legal Revision

This revision focuses especially on clarifying the definition of “hospitality” and updating the treatment of late-night operations. Previously, whether customer service activities at snack bars and bars qualified as “hospitality” was left to individual judgment. However, under the revised law, even conversational engagement is considered “hospitality” if it is provided regularly for compensation. This change makes the classification of snack bars as “Category 1 Entertainment Businesses” (which involve hospitality services) more stringent. Moreover, while operating past midnight still requires notification as a “late-night food and beverage provider,” some procedures for registration and renewal have been simplified.

Snack Bar Classifications and Required Licenses

Whether a snack bar provides “hospitality services” determines the type of business license it needs. If the establishment simply serves drinks over the counter without engaging in hospitality, it only needs to register as a “late-night food and beverage provider.” However, if staff sit next to customers, engage in conversations, pour drinks, or liven up the atmosphere by taking song requests, these are considered hospitality services and require a “Category 1 Entertainment Business” license. With the latest legal revision clarifying what constitutes hospitality, snack bar owners are now expected to reassess their services and obtain the proper licenses accordingly.

What Makes a Snack Bar Safe and Enjoyable?

Some may wonder, “With the law changing, are snack bars becoming risky?” But in truth, snack bars have always been local hubs of warmth and community, where patrons bond with each other and the host (commonly referred to as the “mama”). In reality, most snack bars do not engage in excessive hospitality and operate well within the law. The important thing is to understand what license a snack bar holds and how it operates. For customers, taking time to check a venue’s information beforehand is a great first step toward a safe and comfortable night out.

How Snack Yokocho Selects Its Featured Bars

At Snack Yokocho, we carefully verify whether each featured establishment complies with the Fueiho. We check for proper licenses, business styles, and the demeanor of staff and hosts to ensure only safe and well-managed bars are introduced. We also make it easy for visitors to understand operating hours, pricing systems, and other details so they can confidently try a snack bar for the first time. Through interviews, we introduce the unique personalities of the mamas and the atmosphere of each venue—please use this as a helpful reference.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Snack Culture with Peace of Mind Under the New Rules

The recent revision of the Fueiho can be seen as a way to reduce gray areas and create clear, enjoyable guidelines for both snack bar owners and customers. While it calls for establishments to reevaluate their operations and licenses, it also empowers customers to make safer and more informed choices. Snack Yokocho introduces only trusted venues where even first-timers can feel comfortable and truly enjoy their time with the mama. Let’s continue exploring the vibrant world of snack culture—more freely and more safely than ever before.