Japanese Love Hotels
Explore the depths of Shinjuku or Shibuya and you will come across love hotels - places designed for couples to have some hanky panky. Not only does this place allow female couples and folks on their own, they also rent out Wii and costumes for those who want some special hanky panky.
If you was to take a partner, which costume would you pick?
Some history about the Japanese love hotel from Wikipedia below.
Love hotels developed from tea rooms chaya (茶屋), mostly used by prostitutes and their clients, but also by lovers. After World War II, the name tsurekomi yado (連れ込み宿), literally "bring-along inn" was adopted, originally for simple lodgings run by families with a few rooms to spare. These establishments appeared first around Ueno, Tokyo in part due to demand from Occupation forces, and boomed after 1958 when legal prostitution was abolished and the trade moved underground. The introduction of the automobile in the 1960s brought with it the "motel" and further spread the concept.
The original term has since fallen into disuse within the industry itself thanks to the euphemism treadmill, and an ever-changing palette of terms is used by hotel operators keen on representing themselves as more fashionable than the competition. Alternative names include "romance hotel", "fashion hotel", "leisure hotel", "amusement hotel", "couples hotel", and "boutique hotel".
Some more blurb about the hotels here below.
Love hotels can usually be identified using symbols such as hearts and the offer of a room rate for a "rest" (休憩, kyūkei?) as well as for an overnight stay. The period of a "rest" varies, typically ranging from one to three hours. Cheaper daytime off-peak rates are common. In general, reservations are not possible, leaving the hotel will forfeit access to the room, and overnight stay rates only become available after 10pm. These hotels may be used for prostitution or by budget-travellers sharing accommodation.
Entrances are discreet and interaction with staff is minimized, with rooms often selected from a panel of buttons and the bill settled by pneumatic tube, automatic cash machines, or a pair of hands behind a pane of frosted glass. Although cheaper hotels are often quite utilitarian, higher-end hotels may feature fanciful rooms decorated with anime characters, equipped with rotating beds, ceiling mirrors, or karaoke machines, strange lighting or styled similarly to dungeons, sometimes including S&M gear.
These hotels are typically either concentrated in city districts close to stations, near highways on the city outskirts, or in industrial districts. Love hotel architecture is sometimes garish, with buildings shaped like castles, boats or UFOs and lit with neon lighting. However, some more recent love hotels are very ordinary looking buildings, distinguished mainly by having small, covered, or even no windows.
And a video to boot - not sure how old it is though. Do they have stuff like this in your neck of the woods?
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Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Ehhh... I'm not sure I'd want to rent a used costume from this kinda establishment if you know what I mean... *turns off blue light*
University's Slave
. . . Eeek. Good point. I'm sure they clean them, but I'm sure some customers are more. . . adventurous in them than others.
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
Definitely a BYOC place. Though, maybe they're those "one and done" costumes? They have lots of them stacked up, and you either get to take them home with you or toss them?
graduate studant (TV & Cinema )
AGREED!!!!! i rather bring my own... mine and my gir's!!! or rather, do the hanky panky(LOL) at home! its cheaper
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zapeipaa/
Would certainly pick the second from left. Not too fond of the typical white-blue-red sailor fuku, but love variations with brown/grey.
No love hotels here. I'm sure many of our feminists in the political parties would object.
Student
Why? They hate sex?
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zapeipaa/
They probably have more sex than average, but my guess is that they would go mad ranting about men being perversed.
Student
It's weird how in Sweden you seem to have lots of feminists in the political parties.
Working to save up for classes in Aeronautics
Not really. The queen of Sweden is a feminist, so it's not wierd to hear of feminists raging.
Exchange Student
http://sander.zunavi.dk/
Denmark has a lot of those too, feminists.
Fortunately or maybe even not, the queen of Denmark is not really a feminist, just a heavy cigarette addict.
None here either,... But I do have some neighbours whose hanky panky is very loud.
Student
No Love Hotel's here, we got normal hotels though, lol.
By the way, are the rent able costumes washed after every rental? :~
Student in Internet-based Systems
I find these hotels interesting and wouldn't say no to visit one but a boxing ring is not required.^^;
Student, ACG Fans
http://modvisc.blogspot.com
so many different type of room available, real creative...
Exchange Student
http://sander.zunavi.dk/
I wonder if I can find one here in Taipei. I really hope I can, they sound like a lot of fun.
But just one question here: What kind of special hanky panky are you suggesting one can have with a Wii?
Student
will get vanadalized to crap in sydney =\
Ambassador
http://througheyesfromafar.blogspot.com/
Would love to try one one day. And no, its illegal in my country.
Owner, winterheim|hdd
http://winterheim.wordpress.com
There are motels here in the Philippines. There's even an entire street inside Metro Manila that has nothing but these motels along the road. They even offer unique rooms themed after tourist spots (Hanging Gardens room) or movies (Matrix Room). xd
Resident of Moriya Shrine
hehe....the one place where most people say the fun is at....>_>''
But nah, unless im married and wanted to have some fun. Maybe i'll try it. Also pre-marital sex sucks...:V
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
All that for hanky panky?
We only have ordinary hotels. I think this sort of stuff is illegal here.
Oh, and if I have to pick one costume for my partner, I would go for the school uniform at the rightmost side.
Student
Girls on sign turned me off.
Web Developer
http://www.ecchi.co.za/
I agree, what are they, like 10?
No Love Hotels here,nothing that nice anyway. We do have some hotels that are used that way, but I wouldn't touch anything in them!
My wife and I were actually told to leave a few different Love Hotels when we were in in Shibuya.
Student
http://theotakukid.com/
Will there be any hidden camera within the room itself?
Anime Blogger
http://notcliche.com/shinkai/
I'm quite intrigued by that, I know some motels do (base on movies lol)
animetard and a writer
http://kluxorious.blogspot.com/
*facepalm*
Mom
http://chatonrose.deviantart.com/
My fiance would love to see me in either a schoolgirl or maid outfit. If we ever go to Japan we might try a love hotel just to see what it's like.
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
waaaaa my pervert mind going everywhere !!
unemployed machinist.. yeah
Who needs a hotel room, when you got a back seat.. and if she has a problem with that.. Well thats the best part of owning a van. Lots of room ^_^ But if she does have a problem with the back of the van.. well there is a the cheap motel down the street sure enough.. Or her place!
Policy & Research Officer
http://www.alafista.com/
I've been to a couple of countries and it seems like such "establishments" are always near railways. I wonder what is the reason for that.
Resident of Moriya Shrine
quick getaways?....=p
The Boy Who Cried Bear
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
LOL does danny frequent there?
Hahaha joking..
Student or something like that
http://otakumimi.blogspot.com
Hmmm, Using a wii X3
Nice, like the pic of Konata ^^
Alchemist in training
Would choose Maido , Seifuku and Bloomers If I go to a Love Hotel and Have a Girlfriend T_T .
Can't stand it , Perveted Mind Overloading !!!
Student
http://www.chaosdivision.net
That was interesting... to say the least. ^^
Upcoming College Student and Otaku
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/Patches418?ref=profile
For me, I would pick the seifuku second from the left and the maido costume ;p Would totally go to one if I get married. We don't have those in my neck of the woods ^^ Just normal motels. Loved the video on youtube. People must really be into the S&M thing.
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
hmmmmm... kinky...>>.<<.....:P
hobo
either of the maids, definitely
Undergrad Student
http://twitter.com/zerokoolpsx
No love hotels around here. I would get the nurse costume and the first seifuku on the left. Definitely interesting.
Web Application Programmer
I like the fact that these hotels are design to bring pleasure to male and female, without being bias to one gender. This is probably do to the fact that females in japan have claimed their sexual liberation and independents in japan. Below is a link to a news organization investigation on the sexual liberation in japan. -->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA5C-dvCe_4
maintenence
http://joey1058.wordpress.com
Back during my time in Chicago, I knew of a "motel strip" that each establishment would charge regular rates, but you could rent by the hour, if you were so inclined. But they could not advertise as anything like a love motel. Otherwise it would be considered a brothel, and the local law would have to shut them down. The entire neighborhood knows what is going on, but as long as the prostitutes behave themselves, the local area economy is thriving. Go figure.
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
This video came up in my head when I read the title:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_wv1HXPXQ - Gotta love CheapyD and his adventures.. x]
I don't think I've seen any Hotels for love specifically, but I'm guessing it's because most of them here are used for naughty stays regardless. I worked part time at a hotel in the city once- heard quite a few mooing here and there while walking along the halls.. ^^'
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
Ahh, that video when I first saw it baffled me, then I proceeded to laugh as I saw the various shackles.
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
Schoolgirl, schoolgirl, schoolgirl, nurse, cop, maid, gym outfit, swimsuit, office lady. Nice to see that even Japanese advertisers go with the generic tropes. Play to your audience.
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Nothing like this in the neck of the woods here...
I've read a lot of manga regarding these hotels, but never really taken any interests in them in RL. The first chapter in the Aqua Bless manga have an interesting take on these hotels ^^;
Oh boy...
The maid and swimsuit ones.
Producer
There are no Love Hotels in the UK but it's not unknown to rent rooms in proper hotels for "lunchtime meetings".
Personally I love Love Hotels. They are well worth a visit with your special someone.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
I remember when Ozzy Ozbournes daughter went to a Love hotel to work, (a show on ITV2) she got freaked out by the 'toy menus' lol.
Colllege Student,Jack of All Trades, Retail,Carpentry
3rd from the right. I like active women.
Grocery Store Clerk
I would like to have a girl friend.
http://lolanime.wordpress.com
Hmm...Cosplay Rental...Nice...Now just get myself a GF first...
We don't have such luxury like hotels, afaik...Though, I never thought of it. The only thing known in the Netherlands is De Wallen, our largest Red-Light District...
Love Hotels are pretty much Japan only, I think. With that, I mean its traditions.
???Confused???
Nothing like that over here...and there's so much emphasis on the S&M play...^_^U...
Gundam Fanatic
In good ol' America every hotel might as well be a love hotel. Just be sure to sleep above the sheets.
Now, as far as what costume I would pick...probably either the swimsuit or one of the schoolgirl uniforms.
大学生
http://srseffort.blogspot.com/
Lmao... alibi channel
master of woodchop
http://www.bookindian.wordpress.com
third one from tha right - yes had those "special" hotels back in the 1980's in Cali-land - went to one for my birthday - mirror on tha ceiling, x-rate videos called the Aloha Motel, was tha thing to do, but is more fun in back seat, front seat, in tha closet (wc), you name it, wherever tha dolphin is comfortable
LOL :Pmaster of woodchop
http://www.bookindian.wordpress.com
YAAAHHH!!! watched the video - want tha ricksha room, NOW!! :D
still trying to figure it out...
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
We only have motels over here, nothing compared to the ones in the video. I liked the one with the ring XD
Student
its just for "Delivery Health". it is kinda prostitute. we go to hotel like this "love hotel", then we call to the prostitute office and they come to the hotel.
or just its cheap so people use as normal motels.
Tech Support Officer - Network Security Engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
none here... i think ^^;
Gotta LOL at the "Alibi Channel". But wouldn't the wife find it strange if there's still a traffic jam during the very late hours of the day? :p
I think those costumes are either disposable or they're utterly and obsessively sanitized (especially in environment-conscious Japan) before being recycled, or I don't think anyone would dare rent them.
Forgot to add, LMAO at the Hello Kitty S&M Room, and I thought the Hello Kitty vibrator was extreme.
The Kitty plushie in bondage wear reminds me of those grotesquely disemboweled plushies from Kampfer. ^^
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
I am quite interested in the hotels...seeing a few myself when i was there...maybe i will bring my partner there if i get the chance....
Limousine Driver
These hotels just show how little "personal" and "quality time" Japanese society has. These love hotels have become almost an industry just to provide people with a place to spend time as a couple. Yet another indicator of the declining birth rate. That said, these are some amazing places.
大学生
Me thinks it'll be an interesting experience (:
Do they open to foreigners?
Student
well even though I am technically under age *cough* I like the look of the far left sailor fuku and the gym kit *.*
Star Gazer
http://vixums.wordpress.com/
Wow, you can rent out the costumes too? That's pretty sweet! I would choose that Maid one cuz it reminds me of what Mikuru wore!
Customer Service
http://www.shewsbury.com
I would choose the pink nurse costume... but do they clean it up after being used.... you know some guys might "spray" the "holy water" all over the clothing after reaching the climax of the hanky panky....
Oracle
http://notebook.seitoukai.net
Cosplay selections...
Yeah, that hit the spot.
Student, Bowler, Collector
http://carldica.wordpress.com
Errr, not to sure why they offer rental cosplay... Is it because couples may look more stunning or sexy that way, it's just disgusting if they don't wash them off
Full-time geek/Part-time student/Part-time musician
http://randomgeekness.livejournal.com/
Hmmm maid outfit!
student
I would hate to be the janitor/house keeper of one of these establishments. LOL jizz isn't only in your pants, it's on the wall too.
Student
http://www.fabricerequin.com
Hmmm, Using a wii X3
Nice, like the pic of Konata ^^