There are probably many foreign visitors to Japan who are interested in “Japanese love hotels.” Japanese love hotels are not just places to stay, but they also have concept rooms inspired by trains, gymnasiums, etc., so they are places where you can not only stay but also have fun.
A love hotel is called a hotel, but the rules and fee structure are different from hotels, which are the main type of lodging. In this article, we will explain what kind of places love hotels are in Japan, as well as the rules and fee structure.
If you are interested in Japanese love hotels or would like to stay in a love hotel, please read until the end.
■What is a love hotel in Japan?
Love hotels are a unique culture of Japan and a hotel type unique to Japan. Recently, they have come to be called couples’ hotels, leisure hotels, and fashion hotels. Love hotels don’t just offer overnight stays like regular hotels, they also offer breaks where you can stay for just a few hours.
Love hotels in Japan are known as hotels that provide a space where couples can be alone. When Japanese couples go to love hotels, they often do so for the purpose of having sexual act. Therefore, they are different from ordinary hotels in that they have condoms and other items for sexual intercourse in their amenities.
The prototype of the love hotels that still exist today are places called Enjuku, which were used by couples in the early Showa period (1926-). However, many of the yen-juku disappeared during the war, and the number of lodging facilities increased rapidly as residential and commercial facilities were built during post-war reconstruction. This property was intended for regular overnight stays, but was also used by couples to spend some time alone.
In response to the boom in overseas travel in 1970, when the Osaka Expo was held, the hotel changed to the castle-like Western-style hotels that are often seen today.
■The charm of love hotels
There are various charms of staying at a love hotel, but the following five are the main ones.
・Good cost performance
・Interior like a luxury hotel
・Spacious and fulfilling bath
・Facilities that you can enjoy without leaving your room
・Meals that Japanese people usually eat
Now, let’s take a closer look at each.
Good cost
performance
Prices at love hotels vary depending on the grade of the room, but you can stay in a room with a large bed and bath for the same price as staying in a simple, relatively inexpensive hotel.
I’ll touch on this in more detail later, but there are plenty of fun things you can’t do at a regular hotel, such as being able to order meals and enjoy things in your room. This is perfect for people who want to stay in a large room but want to keep their accommodation costs as low as possible.
Interior like a luxury hotel
Earlier, I introduced that love hotels offer good value for money. However, just because the cost performance is good, the interior is by no means simple, and is decorated like a luxury hotel.
Some people may think of overseas motels because of the low cost of accommodation, but unlike overseas motels, even the cheapest rooms can be said to have high quality interiors.
Spacious and fulfilling bath
If you come to Japan, many people probably want to take a bath. However, many people are reluctant to be completely naked in the presence of many other people. Even in Japan, cheap hotels often only have showers, but most love hotels have large baths. It’s an indoor bath, so you don’t have to worry about other people coming in.
Also, it doesn’t just have a bath; it may also have a jacuzzi function or a light-up function. Recently, more and more love hotels are equipped with saunas. There are also love hotels that provide bath salts, etc., so be sure to enjoy a Japanese bath.
Facilities that you can enjoy without leaving your room
Love hotels have many facilities that regular hotels do not have. The facilities provided vary depending on the love hotel, but the following facilities are often provided.
・Big tv
・Karaoke
・Microwave oven, refrigerator, etc.
These are free to use in most cases. In some cases, you can watch unlimited video-on-demand, movies, and anime on your TV.
They are also often equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. Therefore, you can bring in food purchased outside the hotel, heat it up and enjoy it, or keep your drinks chilled and enjoy them slowly.
Meals that Japanese people usually eat
Many love hotels allow you to order meals from your room, although this requires an additional fee. The meals you can order here are mostly dishes that Japanese people usually eat, such as curry and fried chicken, rather than elaborate meals such as kaiseki cuisine.
You can enjoy your meal in your own space in the hotel room, so you don’t have to worry about Japanese dining etiquette.Recommended for those who want to casually enjoy the typical meals that Japanese people eat on a daily basis.
■Love hotel price format
Japanese love hotels are designed to accommodate couples, so the price shown is for two people using one room. When using with 3 or more people, you may need to pay an additional fee for each additional person, so be sure to check in advance.
Additionally, prices differ for weekdays from Monday to Thursday and for holidays such as Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Special rates are often available even on weekdays, such as during the year-end and New Year holidays and during Golden Week. Prices at love hotels vary depending on the length of your stay.
There are five main pricing systems for love hotels.
Different love hotels have different pricing systems in place. When using a love hotel, first check the pricing system.
■Points to note when using a love hotel
When using a love hotel, there are some things to keep in mind that are not found in regular hotels.
・Persons under the age of 18 may not be allowed to enter.
・There is a limit on the number of people
・Some amenities are available for a fee
・Once you check in, you may not be able to go out.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each.
Persons under the age of 18 may not be allowed to enter.
The main purpose of Japanese love hotels is not to stay overnight, but to have sexual act. For this reason, based on Japan’s Entertainment Business Act and Youth Development Ordinance, entry of persons under the age of 18 is often prohibited.
Even if you are accompanied by someone over the age of 18 or a family member, you will not be able to use the service if there is someone under the age of 18 in most cases, so please be careful when using the service with family members or people under the age of 18.
There is a limit on the number of people
Love hotels are generally intended for use by two people. Therefore, amenities such as bath towels and toothbrushes are often only provided for two people. Some hotels allow more than 2 people.
In that case, there are many cases where you will need to pay an additional fee for two or more people, or even if you are allowed to use the room, there are no additional beds available. Please note that there are many cases where you will not be provided with a simple bed like in a regular hotel.
Some amenities are available for a fee
Love hotels have a wide range of amenities and facilities, but some may require a fee. Basically, things in the room can be used for free.
When ordering on a tablet, etc., please be aware that there are free and paid items.
Once you check in, you may not be able to go out.
At some love hotels, once you check in, you may not be able to leave your home for a while. This is for security reasons.
If you want to go out, be sure to check with the front desk to see if you can do so, rather than leaving silently. You may be asked to take measures such as leaving one of the guests in the room when you temporarily go out, or paying a portion of the fee in advance.
■Summary of love hotels in Japan
In this article, we explained what kind of places love hotels are in Japan, the rules, and the price structure. Love hotels are a unique culture of Japan and a hotel type unique to Japan.
An increasing number of foreign visitors to Japan are choosing love hotels as their accommodations due to their attractiveness, such as good value for money, spacious and well-stocked baths, and the ability to have fun without leaving the room. However, the pricing system and precautions may differ from those of regular hotels.
Please refer to this article and enjoy Japan’s unique love hotels.
【Q＆A】
Q.Are only couples allowed to enter love hotels?
A. You can enter a love hotel even if you are not a couple. However, more than two people or people under the age of 18 may not be allowed to enter the room.
Q.Is payment only in cash at love hotels?
A. The payment methods accepted differ depending on the love hotel, but in addition to cash, many also accept credit cards. Please check with the front desk.
