There comes a time when sex in the bedroom becomes rather dull and routine. You and your partner are too familiar with your surroundings that there isn’t much to anticipate. This is a perfect opportunity to plan a vacation to Japan because… why not? They have love hotels! Yes, hotels specifically made for couples who are wanting to get away from their homes to somewhere more adventurous, fun, and most importantly... private. Sounds exciting, yeah? These playful, unique hotels have been around since the 1960’s and are still going strong today. After all, this multi-billion dollar business makes up about a quarter of the sex industry. There are about 37,000 love hotels scattered throughout Japan with 2.5 million people visiting daily. That’s a lot of sex… and we’re not complaining!
History behind rabuho (love hotels)
Rabuho is Japanese for love hotel. Love hotels were operating during the late 60’s in Osaka, Japan, although the concept of such sexcapade establishments go back to even the 1600s during the Edo period. At the time, these locations were often disguised as typical tea houses or inns, but you would have to go through a secret passageway to access the buildings. Sometimes there were even tunnels for people to make discreet exits. Most of these “inns” were located in Edo or Kyoto in certain districts. Post WW2, physical intimacy between couples became insubstantial due to the lack of privacy in a household with extended relatives. Because of this, the concept of love hotels emerged. By the time the 1960’s came around, motels were on the rise and quickly began to spread. This meant more time for couples to get the intimacy they so desired. These hotels are not to be confused with brothels, but more like spaces for lovers to experience a new, enticing surrounding.
Nintendo’s bizarre involvement
You will be surprised to find out, if you haven’t already, that Nintendo’s 3rd president Hiroshi Yamauchi ventured into the rabuho industry… that is before they started making the family-friendly video games that we all know and still love today. In order to keep his grandfather’s legacy strong and alive, he wandered in different directions for the company beyond card games. After a few failed attempts with instant rice and taxi services, he took a shot at love hotels. The rooms were to be rented by the hour. Hiroshi often made visits, even while being married. His wife knew of his visits but turned a blind eye to his affairs. This endeavor was short lived and was added to the list of other failed ventures. That was when he realized that the company would flourish in the gaming industry, and that it did.
Different themes
Love hotels unquestionably are known for their dreamlike, whimsical aesthetic. Have you ever wanted to make love in a castle? How about getting busy in outer space? Better yet, have you ever fantasized about being naughty in a classroom setting? All of these themes are available at these hotels. This is a chance to live out your erotic dreams.
Millennials vs. Sex
There was a recent study that claimed that millennials are having the least sex compared to previous generations. It has also been stated that Japan’s population is decreasing given the ratio of death to birth rates as well as the decline of marriage. According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, more than 40% of young Japanese women and men ranging from 18-34 have never had sex. Many factors have played into this such as the high costs of living, scarce job opportunities, gained independence for women, and modern views on sex and marriage. Young adults in Japan are moving away from home sooner, which means more privacy and privacy that they don’t need elsewhere. What does this mean for love hotels today? Love hotels aren’t necessarily going anywhere as they are starting to change their target demographic to tourists who seek love hotels.
Privacy
Typically, love hotels are not difficult to spot. They tend to stand out from the ordinary hotels because of their flashy appearance. Look out for words such as REST and STAY as those can be seen at the front of the building. Love hotels also place high importance on privacy, so they provide boards to cover license plates, secret entry ways, and concealed garages. Even transactions are made in secret where visitors can make cash-only payments via automated computers or to clerks located behind a non transparent booth.
Love Hotel (documentary)
If you’re interested in exploring more about love hotels, check out this documentary released in 2014 called Love Hotel, which follows a manager and his staff members fighting to keep The Angelo Hotel running in a stagnant economy and conservative government. The film also captures experiences and emotions of people from different walks of life in Japan with the love hotel. Film director, Phil Cox, and co-director, Hikaru Toda, accomplish the task of crafting a thought-provoking picture that creates a sense of heightened intrigue.
Check out the trailer below: