By Gavin Pirie

Paper- Thin Apartment Walls

You know how it goes, maybe your eyes met across a crowded expat bar one summer’s night, or perhaps you exchanged some flirty messages that belie your woeful Japanese ability, after swiping right on some matchmaking app. Now you’ve got that feeling, you want that sexual healing… but wait! Your apartment’s walls are paper-thin, and the last thing you want is Taro from next-door hearing your night-time acrobatics or your potential conquest seeing your pitiful collection of rental furniture. Don’t despair my lovelorn friend! Salvation is at hand.

It’s likely even if you’ve been in Japan for a short time, you’ve seen a garish neon sign with an ‘exotic’ name like ‘Peach Sky’, ‘Phoenix’ or ‘Musee’, with the word ‘hotel’ somewhere nearby. Despite the beacon-like nature of their signs, these hotels offer your best chance for discretion while you get down to business.

While, not a uniquely Japanese concept, the love hotel, is the answer to a number of common issues for those residing in the land of the rising *ahem* sun. Small apartments stacked on top of each other with the thinnest of walls; large families coexisting together in homes; are just a couple of issues that make it difficult for those wanting a little privacy, and why love hotels still remain a popular destination for lovers in Japan.

Rest or Stay

Love hotels much like their clientele come in all shapes and sizes, with some being more unique than others. However, all hotels offer the choice of ‘rest’ or ‘stay’. If you’re pushed for time, just hooking up, or looking to beat an early exit, ‘rest’ is the choice for you, giving you a room on an hourly rate. But if you’re determined to make the most of your time together and savor that much sought-after privacy ‘stay’ is a must. In return, you’ll secure the room for the night. For those who choose ‘rest’, but find themselves getting an unexpected second or third wind, don’t fret. If you decide to stay over your initial time, the hotel will simply recalculate your fee upon your departure.

You’re probably thinking to yourself, why not just book a regular hotel? They’re cheap and simple. Yes, they are. But Japanese hotel rooms are usually small, with minimum options and the tiniest of bathrooms. Not the best place for setting the mood. Plus, as always, the walls are super thin. Love hotels, on the other hand, offer a veritable smorgasbord of options.

Even the cheapest love hotel has a room double the size of most regular hotel rooms. In it you can expect to find a king-size bed, a large screen TV, phone chargers, mini bar and much more. The most popular feature (after the obvious) is the spa bath. Perfect for intimate baths with your paramour. You’re provided with an assortment of bath bombs, gels, and even mood lighting to make that romantic soak even more special.

Add Some Extra Spice

That’s great and all, I hear you saying, but I didn’t come here for a bubble bath. Aside from the king-size bed, you’ll find a range of different condoms on hand. If you’d like to add some extra spice to your lovemaking; there is an extensive selection of adult content on the TV to choose from. For those into role play, you can order costumes. In some rooms, it’s not uncommon to find toys. In short, you’ll have everything you need to get hot and heavy. Did I mention the rooms are soundproofed? There’s no way Taro is going to know who and for how long you danced the horizontal tango with.

If love hotels could be summed up in two words, it would be discretion and fun. From the very moment you walk in the door, your privacy is secured. There is no concierge. Simply choose the room and length of your stay via the computer in the lobby. Take your lover by the hand and go all the way on the elevator to your room. After working up a sweat, you might be feeling a bit peckish or maybe you need some Dutch courage to take that first step.

Next to the adult video menu is the actual food and drink menu. Just select what you’re craving on the TV and it will all be delivered to your door, all without seeing another person. As you leave triumphantly after your night of passion, simply pay at the door of your room. It’s that easy.

Why complicate things? Navigating the pitfalls of romance in Japan is hard enough. Love hotels are the perfect place for you and your partner to take that next step, have fun, and get that sexual healing. So go on, get down tonight at a love hotel.




Photo credit: Shaira Dela Peña on Unsplash