TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル.
“Have a good time, from me.” What exactly is this Shibuya neon sign hinting at? And what do the prices mean? (All photos by La Carmina.)
If you guessed that it’s a beacon for a love hotel, you’re spot on. Found all over Japan, love hotels contain weirdly-themed rooms that couples rent for a few hours to… erm… have a good time!
You can recognize one of these establishments from the love innuendo — or the gaudy decor. Jolly snowmen, subway cars and Hello Kitty bondage are only some of the odd themes found in love hotels.
Discretion is the name of the game at love hotels. Visitors pay by cash machines or pneumatic tubes, or at concealed window so that the staff never sees your face. While this Shibuya district may seem like a sketchy place to wander, the area is not at all dangerous…
From the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station, walk towards the 109 department store and stay to the left. Keep going, past Christon Cafe, and turn right after you reach the 7-Eleven. You’ll find dozens of funny love hotels in this area.
Inside, you can buy toys or rent costumes…
Which cosplay outfit tickles your pickle?
The Colonel Sanders statue outside KFC Shibuya is probably more disturbing than anything you’ll find in a love hotel…
Want to take a peek inside Japanese love hotels? Misty Keasler and Natsuo Kirino have a book called Love Hotels: The hidden fantasy rooms of Japan. For G-rated theme establishments, there is my book Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo.
PS: Bad girls beauty scandal: read about the rise and fall of the Asian beauty queen in my new CNNGo article.
PPS: Visual Kei fans, Maru Music is holding a contest where the fans get to make the next commercial for D’espairsRay’s album IMMORTAL! The winning entry will be featured on the Maru Music website and will receive a D’espairsRay prize pack including a autographed copy of their album. Visit Maru Music for full details and to enter (the deadline for the contest is June 21st.)
Japanese Word of the Day: Makeup = O-kesho
Song of the Day: South Park Goth Song (Happy belated World Goth Day! Go blast your Bauhaus and do the gloomy dance…)
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LA CARMINA
49 Comments
Hello Kitty bondage? Two things that should NEVER belong together! Ahh.
Shield your eyes!! http://www.spaciousplanet.com/images/world/helloKittyBondage32012254633896254.jpeg
http://www.projecthitchhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/hellokittybondage1.jpg
There’s even a piano so you can play your favourite pieces from Bethoven before you dive into all the fun Hello Kitty BDSM stuff. (wut?)
Somehow, that makes perfect sense… :P
love your posts.
I agree on the Colonel being the most disturbing thing there…….completely agree…- NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Mos def!!
I would totally pick the buruma to wear. xD
Sadly, some of my friends have used those. xD
=)… wanna go there someday
Hello Kitty bondage? Two things that should NEVER belong together! Ahh.
Shield your eyes!! http://www.spaciousplanet.com/images/world/hell…
http://www.projecthitchhiker.com/wp-content/upl…
love your posts.
I was scared to walk down the streets of Shibuya after a live because the love hotels made it look sketchy, but you’re right, it’s harmless.
By the way, I got my co-workers into Cute Yummy Time. They’ve been looking for ways to make their kids eat healthier foods.
Oooh were you at Shibuya O East or O West for a live? Who did you see? I was there recently for Deluhi…
That is SO cool to hear! I hope they find the techniques helpful! xcoxo
I was at O East for a two-man with Duel Jewel and Kra. It was so much fun, lots of energy and silliness (the theme was “2.4 hr live”).
There's even a piano so you can play your favourite pieces from Bethoven before you dive into all the fun Hello Kitty BDSM stuff. (wut?)
I agree on the Colonel being the most disturbing thing there…….completely agree…- NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
I would totally pick the buruma to wear. xD
Sadly, some of my friends have used those. xD
=)… wanna go there someday
I was scared to walk down the streets of Shibuya after a live because the love hotels made it look sketchy, but you're right, it's harmless.
By the way, I got my co-workers into Cute Yummy Time. They've been looking for ways to make their kids eat healthier foods.
o–o 8stars at link* and why dont we have them here in england? >>
Oh my gosh!!!….that’s great lol
it definately spices things up as compared to the fact that there is nothin like that around here…
& ur probably right about the KFC, Sanders statue…It’s creepin me out lookin at. lol
Hehe..I’ve always found them weird, but they’re a part of the culture, love hotels. Since kids sleep with their parents up to 5 years old sometimes, even married people go there for a bit of nookie! Funnily enough, the punk festival I go to each year is hidden amongst them on Love Hotel hill in Shibuya :)
I’ve never been to the punk festival! When does it take place? Hopefully I can catch it one year…
It’s around St Patricks Day, March 17 to 22nd usually, as it’s Irish punk like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2010/05/wild-rover-2010-cherry-cokes-junior.html
There’s a much bigger international one called Punkspring, but I like the smaller local ones.
Really? Hello Kitty bondage exists? haha
I’m not one for memes, but it sounds like Rule 34 at work
I’m not one for memes, but it sounds like Rule 34 at work
They are super nice inside. =)
o–o 8stars at link* and why dont we have them here in england? >>
Oh my gosh!!!….that's great lol
it definately spices things up as compared to the fact that there is nothin like that around here…
& ur probably right about the KFC, Sanders statue…It's creepin me out lookin at. lol
Hehe..I've always found them weird, but they're a part of the culture, love hotels. Since kids sleep with their parents up to 5 years old sometimes, even married people go there for a bit of nookie! Funnily enough, the punk festival I go to each year is hidden amongst them on Love Hotel hill in Shibuya :)
Really? Hello Kitty bondage exists? haha
They are super nice inside. =)
I've never been to the punk festival! When does it take place? Hopefully I can catch it one year…
Oooh were you at Shibuya O East or O West for a live? Who did you see? I was there recently for Deluhi…
That is SO cool to hear! I hope they find the techniques helpful! xcoxo
Mos def!!
Somehow, that makes perfect sense… :P
It's around St Patricks Day, March 17 to 22nd usually, as it's Irish punk like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2010…
There's a much bigger international one called Punkspring, but I like the smaller local ones.
Looking forward to pics from Tokyo Decadance and other clubs!
LOL, I think I walked past these love hotels when I was in Shibuya xD
There was this Lawson near 109 and when I came out of it, I suddenly saw some funky coloured houses with names like “Hotel Casanova”… I guess that must have been the love hotels you mentioned xD
Hahah you got it! What a funny name for a hotel.
I too would love to go to a love hotel with my guy. =)
LOL, I think I walked past these love hotels when I was in Shibuya xD
There was this Lawson near 109 and when I came out of it, I suddenly saw some funky coloured houses with names like “Hotel Casanova”… I guess that must have been the love hotels you mentioned xD
Hahah you got it! What a funny name for a hotel.
I too would love to go to a love hotel with my guy. =)
I was at O East for a two-man with Duel Jewel and Kra. It was so much fun, lots of energy and silliness (the theme was “2.4 hr live”).