Have you ever heard of Japanese Love Hotels?
While traveling in Japan, you might have noticed flashy buildings glowing with pink or purple neon lights. Those are Love Hotels.
What is a Love Hotel?
A Love Hotel is a uniquely Japanese style of accommodation featuring:
- Colorful exteriors and themed rooms
- Two types of pricing: short-time stays (Rest) and overnight stays (Stay)
- Primarily designed for couples to spend intimate time together
A Brief History of Love Hotels
- 1950s – Post-war Japan had crowded households, so couples needed private spaces. This led to the rise of “tsurekomi ryokan” (short-stay inns).
- 1960s – With the growth of car culture, “motel-style” love hotels appeared, allowing direct access from the parking lot to the room.
- 1968 – The term Love Hotel became popular after a facility in Osaka called Hotel Love opened.
- 1980s Bubble Era – With booming real estate investments, over 10,000 love hotels were built nationwide. Rooms featured extravagant designs such as rotating beds, glass bathrooms, waterfalls, pools, and fantasy themes like spaceships or castles.
- Today, the number has decreased to about 4,500 nationwide, mostly concentrated in big cities.
Where to Find Love Hotels
| Tokyo | Shinjuku (Kabukicho), Shibuya (Dogenzaka), Ikebukuro |
| Osaka | Umeda (Doyama), Namba (Sennichimae) |
| Yokohama | Kannai, Isezakicho, Shin-Yokohama |
| Kyoto | Gojo Rakuen (former red-light district) |
| Sapporo | Susukino |
| Fukuoka | Nakasu |
They’re most common in entertainment districts, but you’ll often find at least one in smaller towns too.
How to Use a Love Hotel
1. Choose a Room
Check-in is done using a panel located at the entrance.
- Automatic Panel: Near the entrance, a panel shows photos, prices, and availability. Select your room. There are mainly two types: one with physical buttons below the panel, and another with a touchscreen interface. Depending on the system, a room key or card key may be dispensed, or you may be able to go directly to the room.
- Front Desk: Staff will assign you a room, usually with minimal face-to-face contact to protect privacy.
2. Stay Types
- Rest (Short Stay): 2–3 hours, ideal for a quick break or date.
- Stay (Overnight): From evening to morning. (Foreign guests may need to show a passport.)
3. Payment
There are mainly two types of payment systems: one where you pay at check-in, and another where you settle the bill at checkout.
Most love hotels accept credit cards, but electronic payment methods like e-money are still not widely accepted, so it’s best to check in advance.
- Automatic Payment Machines: Pay by cash or card without interacting with staff.
- Front Desk Payment: Give your room number and pay at the counter.
Average Prices (Nationwide)
| Rest (Short Stay) | ¥3,000 – ¥7,000 (2–3 hours) |
| Free Time (Day Stay) | ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 (longer daytime use) |
| Stay (Overnight) | ¥6,000 – ¥15,000 (overnight) |
4. Enter the Room
Get a key or access code, then head straight to your room.
Many “motel-style” hotels allow direct entry from the parking lot.
Once you enter the room, be sure to lock the door!
Many rooms have auto-lock systems, and there’s usually no need to worry about someone entering without permission — but it’s something that’s surprisingly easy to forget.
5. Have a wonderful time ❤️
It’s perfectly fine to just take a rest.
6. Check-Out
After payment, the door unlocks, or you return the key.
At love hotels that don’t require receiving a key, checking out is simple — you just take your belongings and leave.
At hotels where you need to settle the bill at checkout, there is usually an automated payment machine next to the entrance. Just follow the voice instructions or on-screen prompts to complete the payment, and then you can leave.
Some hotels allow you to exit directly without going through the lobby.
Things to Know Before Visiting
- Standard use is for 2 people; more than 2 may require extra fees or special permission.
- Same-sex couples are welcome in most hotels, but a few may restrict to male-female pairs.
- Weekends and holidays can be fully booked.
- Some hotels are cash-only, so check payment methods in advance.
- Always clarify whether you want “Rest” or “Stay.”
- Not every partner may be comfortable with Love Hotels, so be considerate!
What’s Inside a Love Hotel Room?
- Large beds, big bathtubs (often Jacuzzi style)
- Karaoke machines, video games, or themed décor
- Complimentary condoms
- Adjustable lighting and music
- Room service via tablets or phones
- Costume rentals and adult goods (in some hotels)
- While luxury Love Hotels feel like theme parks, cheaper ones may be very simple.
Why Try a Love Hotel?
With many tourist hotels fully booked, Love Hotels can be a unique and practical option for travelers.
They aren’t just for couples—you can simply use them as an affordable and private overnight stay.
So next time you’re in Japan, why not try a Love Hotel experience?
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