The most common misconception people have when seeing these images is that they are brothels, but in order to rent a room you must come in as a couple. There are 30,000 to 40,000 love hotels in Japan and they are used by just about every sort of couple… Young unmarried couples who live with their families until they get married, married couples who may live in very tight quarters with family, couples in extramarital affairs, and prostitutes with their customers.
You’ll be pleased to hear that Misty Keasler, quoted above, has published a book of her photographs, Love Hotels: The Hidden Fantasy Rooms of Japan. Among her subjects is the Hotel Adonis, Osaka, which offers patrons a Naughty Nurse Play Area and a Hello Kitty S&M Room.
Ms Keasler is interviewed here. Via Coudal.
The really weird thing is the piano. Is it time for a pianist joke?
Posted by: James S | September 22, 2009 at 17:39
“The really weird thing is the piano.”
Yes, it’s an odd thing to find. There’s quite a bit of choice, though. Scenarios include pirates, igloos and rumbles in the jungle. There’s also a room with a fairground carousel. Though I think that one crosses the line.
“Is it time for a pianist joke?”
I very much doubt it.
Posted by: David | September 22, 2009 at 17:48
“The really weird thing is the piano.”
I'm more anxious about whatever it is in the glass tank.
Posted by: Peter Risdon | September 22, 2009 at 18:56
It's a bondage Hello Kitty.
http://news.asianstudies.dk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/love_hotel_bondage1.jpg
Posted by: Karen M | September 22, 2009 at 19:04
"I'm more anxious about whatever it is in the glass tank."
It's Japan. I've no doubt tentacles are involved...
Posted by: JuliaM | September 22, 2009 at 21:16
Love hotels are a $40 billion a year industry…
http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/2009/07/cnn-discovers-love-hotels.html
Posted by: phantom menace | September 22, 2009 at 21:29