Harry
CibbuanoJapanese Love Hotels
March 9th 2007 00:31
Sushi, Zen gardens, all things kawaii may be all the rave in the Western world, but one of the more quirky Japanese inventions of all time has to be the love hotel. For decades Japan's love hotels have provided a place for couples to enjoy anonymous, uninterrupted sex. Politician and secretary, teacher and student, husband and hooker -- all are welcome, as long as they pay in cash and leave when the time limit is up.
It's a haven for many a Japanese bloke whose tired of taking his girlfriend back to his gaijin apartment with its half-inch plywood walls and nosy neighbours. A trip to a love hotel is like an adults only trip to Disneyland. Decorated with theme park interiors and equipped with game consoles, karaoke boxes and sex machines -- these establishments provide kinky fun for all types, from fetishists and sadomasochists to the ordinary couple seeking sexual adventure.
Once sleazy dens, love hotels are now becoming quite trendy and upmarket. Fashion hotels are getting written up in magazines like Kansai Weekly, and Date Pia, respectable publications that cater to young office workers, especially women. Visit a Kinokuniya and you will see a selection of “Fashion Hotel” and “Boutique Hotel” guidebooks obviously designed to appeal to the sensibilities of the Japanese female.
Karaoke, DVD libraries that are not just porn (but mostly porn), video game consoles and big screen TV’s are standard equipment. Gang Snowman in Minami Osaka serves complimentary soft ice cream cones to every guest and if you stay the night at nearby Belles Des Belles, you’ll get a free breakfast the next day. Many hotels have slot machines and tanning beds, and other hotels give out Hello Kitty bedside clocks or cute pajamas as souvenirs to repeat customers. Bathrooms are fully stocked with a selection of makeup and toiletries that far surpasses what you’ll find in a regular hotel, and there are even a small number of love hotels that take reservations now. Most hotels also have member’s cards that let frequent users get a discount.
If you're in Japan and a visit to your local love hotel tickles your fancy, there are three prices. The first is for a “rest”. In Osaka, the ‘rest’ price is usually for one hour. In Tokyo, it’s usually for two or three. The more expensive price is for an overnight “stay”. Unfortunately, you can’t usually check in until nine or ten pm. If you want to check in before that, you will have to pay for an extension, usually 1000-2000 yen per half-hour, which can really add up. The third price is “Service Time” or “Free Time”. Service time is offered during the day, and the price of a rest is deeply discounted. Free time is a sort of “Sex hoo dai” (All you can screw) where you can stay as long as you want for a fixed price. Your “staying power” will determine whether this is worth the price or not.
It's a haven for many a Japanese bloke whose tired of taking his girlfriend back to his gaijin apartment with its half-inch plywood walls and nosy neighbours. A trip to a love hotel is like an adults only trip to Disneyland. Decorated with theme park interiors and equipped with game consoles, karaoke boxes and sex machines -- these establishments provide kinky fun for all types, from fetishists and sadomasochists to the ordinary couple seeking sexual adventure.
Once sleazy dens, love hotels are now becoming quite trendy and upmarket. Fashion hotels are getting written up in magazines like Kansai Weekly, and Date Pia, respectable publications that cater to young office workers, especially women. Visit a Kinokuniya and you will see a selection of “Fashion Hotel” and “Boutique Hotel” guidebooks obviously designed to appeal to the sensibilities of the Japanese female.
Karaoke, DVD libraries that are not just porn (but mostly porn), video game consoles and big screen TV’s are standard equipment. Gang Snowman in Minami Osaka serves complimentary soft ice cream cones to every guest and if you stay the night at nearby Belles Des Belles, you’ll get a free breakfast the next day. Many hotels have slot machines and tanning beds, and other hotels give out Hello Kitty bedside clocks or cute pajamas as souvenirs to repeat customers. Bathrooms are fully stocked with a selection of makeup and toiletries that far surpasses what you’ll find in a regular hotel, and there are even a small number of love hotels that take reservations now. Most hotels also have member’s cards that let frequent users get a discount.
If you're in Japan and a visit to your local love hotel tickles your fancy, there are three prices. The first is for a “rest”. In Osaka, the ‘rest’ price is usually for one hour. In Tokyo, it’s usually for two or three. The more expensive price is for an overnight “stay”. Unfortunately, you can’t usually check in until nine or ten pm. If you want to check in before that, you will have to pay for an extension, usually 1000-2000 yen per half-hour, which can really add up. The third price is “Service Time” or “Free Time”. Service time is offered during the day, and the price of a rest is deeply discounted. Free time is a sort of “Sex hoo dai” (All you can screw) where you can stay as long as you want for a fixed price. Your “staying power” will determine whether this is worth the price or not.
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