Love hotels in Japan
The tradition of love hotels in Japan goes all the way back to the 17th century. What appeared to be tea houses or inns were just fronts for those who wanted to do the deed. Everything was lowkey, with discreet entrances and exits – some places even had secret tunnels – but all had amenities for couples to get their aerobic sessions in.
Those of today are more conspicuous and offer more than just a place to hook up. In fact, they are a good place to have a girl’s night out, Instagrammable daycations, or a catch-up session with friends. One of the dead giveaways that a place is a love hotel is that there are 2 prices – one for “resting” between 2-4 hours and one for an overnight stay. Here are 16 love hotels in Japan that go above and beyond their call of duty.
Table of Contents
- Love hotels in Japan
- 1. Hotel UFO, Chiba – Alien-themed rooms with UFO-shaped facade
- 2. Hotel Alpha-In, Tokyo – Plain exterior that subverts expectations
- 3. Hotel Bali An Resort Shinjuku, Tokyo – Resembles a Bali resort
- 4. Hotel France, Okayama – Dubbed the Disneyland of love hotels
- 5. Sweets Hotel Chocolat, Tokyo – Dessert decor & chocolate bath
- 6. Hotel Luna, Osaka – Outdoor baths & karaoke
- 7. Hotel Brugge, Chiba – European style with Gothic architecture
- 8. Hotel Regent Odaka, Nagoya – Private water slide
- 9. The Hotelion, Sendai – Themed rooms for all sorts of fantasies
- 10. Sky Paradise Rakuen, Oita – Theme park within a love hotel
- 11. Hotel Two-Way, Tokyo – Party rooms near Shibuya station
- 12. Petit Hotel Rose Lips, Osaka – Floral-themed rooms run by females
- 13. Hotel Fuki, Osaka – Traditional Chinese & Japanese decor
- 14. Jaguar Hotel Arima, Kobe – Rooms with glowing bathtubs
- 15. Towers Hotel, Osaka – Subway carriage & train station room
- 16. Hotel Sara Kinshicho, Tokyo – Fake clinic room for “consultations”
1. Hotel UFO, Chiba – Alien-themed rooms with UFO-shaped facade
Image credit: @hotelufo.official via Instagram
It’s fair to assume that if bae takes you here, you can expect a night that’s out of this world. Hotel UFO is an alien-themed love hotel that’s even shaped like a flying saucer. Locals may be aware that it’s a love hotel, but it can easily be mistaken for another family-friendly themed hotel by tourists who don’t know any better.
The rooms are really aesthetic and are great for the ‘Gram – nobody’s gonna know that it’s a love hotel at first glance. But getting to your room is quite an interesting experience – beneath the flying saucer is actually a discreet carpark with staircases that lead up to the room. There’s no need to meet any staff, just type in the code and go in.
Image credit: @hotelufo.official via Instagram
Even the payment system is unmanned – there’s a pneumatic tube for you to place your cash or card in before it gets sucked up to the staff. You’ll get your change or card back in the same manner once the transaction is complete, totally without human interaction. All that’s left is to enjoy the ride – in the flying saucer-themed room of course, what else?
2. Hotel Alpha-In, Tokyo – Plain exterior that subverts expectations
Image credit: @tomonekabuvia via Instagram
The building’s facade already gives off extremely sus vibes – the rundown brick walls with iron bars across the windows just scream dungeons or prison. Although that isn’t too far off from the truth of the types of accommodation you can find at Hotel Alpha-In.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but… – Rihanna, 2010.
Image credit: @himegoto_1 via Twitter
If you’re the type to find vanilla too boring of a flavour, staying at one of the rooms here might be what you need to really spice up your trip to Japan. The rooms here are fully equipped for all types of activities – some might test your flexibility, your knot-tying skills or even your stamina. A stay here might just awaken something new in you – you’ll never know unless you try it out.
3. Hotel Bali An Resort Shinjuku, Tokyo – Resembles a Bali resort
Image credit: Planet of Hotels
Get the best of both worlds at Hotel Bali An Resort – a slice of Bali paradise in the heart of Tokyo. There are 7 different outlets, all within walking distance from Shinjuku Sanchome station. But their main branch, called the Main Store, has the best amenities to create that romantic Bali atmosphere.
Image credit: Bali An Hotel & Resort
They really know how to put the “love” in love hotels with a buffet spread of beauty and skincare products, all free of charge. Not to mention the barrel labelled “free wine” – this does wonders to set the mood for the night.
Image credit: Tokyo Hotels Now
Their main branch is also the one that has a 200in projector room that displays scenes of Bali sunsets and beaches. With enough determination and imagination, you’ll feel like you’re really there, enjoying two vacations in one. So if you’re suddenly craving the Bali vibes while you’re holidaying in Tokyo, you don’t even need to book another flight – just another hotel.
4. Hotel France, Okayama – Dubbed the Disneyland of love hotels
Image credit: Hotel France
The Disneyland atmosphere of Hotel France can definitely be a good stop for those who want to let their inner child out. From race car beds to a bed in the centre of the carousel, there are options that are unique and can fulfil some dreams some of us had as kids.
Image credit: Hotel France
However, the vibes turn a bit more R18 when the sun goes down – let’s not forget this is a love hotel. That’s when the rooms here become fun for a different reason, where the race car beds and carousels will be used for an entirely new activity.
5. Sweets Hotel Chocolat, Tokyo – Dessert decor & chocolate bath
Image credit: Sweets Hotel
Those with a sweet tooth will love the rooms at Sweets Hotel Chocolat – the rooms are covered in desserts of all kinds from cakes to chocolate madeleines. But unfortunately, this isn’t Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – so, please don’t attempt to chomp on the sofa. Even more so considering this is still a love hotel.
Image credit: Sweets Hotel
Their rooms are very Instagrammable and make for great photo opps but that’s not all – they even have a chocolate bath. Well, you won’t be bathing in actual chocolate – what they do give you is chocolate bath salts that will make the water look and smell like chocolate. Plus, the tub is big enough for 2, so hop in with your significant other for a sweet time.
6. Hotel Luna, Osaka – Outdoor baths & karaoke
Image credit: Hotel Luna
Another one of the more romantic and simple love hotels is Hotel Luna. But don’t let its simple decor fool you – the rooms are fully decked out with outdoor jacuzzis, bathtubs with mood lighting, karaoke systems, and lots of space to get your cardio in. Their Presidential suite will only cost you ~S$121 for an overnight stay – a steal considering it’s 355sqft.
You can even ask them to crank up the romance – add some flower petals on the bed or in the outdoor bathtub to score some extra brownie points with your partner.
7. Hotel Brugge, Chiba – European style with Gothic architecture
Image credit: Hotels.com
If you happen to be in Chiba and are a fan of the Netflix series Bridgerton, getting a room at Hotel Brugge should definitely be on your list of places to visit. The royally aesthetic rooms here would be perfect for couples who want to recreate the steamy scenes from the show.
Image credit: Hotel Brugge
But those who are alone can still pay a visit to appreciate the grand and regal decor the hotel has to offer. Their European-style architecture has even attracted cosplayers and film-makers that want to use their rooms as backdrops. However, do note that they may turn you away or charge extra for any film equipment, as long as it’s anything more than a smartphone camera.
8. Hotel Regent Odaka, Nagoya – Private water slide
Image credit: Hotel Regent Odaka
Hotel Regent Odaka has made its rounds online and has been visited by many travel influencers – even local Japanese content creators swung by for a daycation despite its label as a love hotel. That’s because they can’t resist the urge to try out the private water slide room.
Image credit: Hotel Regent Odaka
But that’s not the only great thing about the place. They have private waiting booths in their lobby for guests to relax in while they wait for the rooms to get cleaned or for the previous guests to leave. Their self-check-in system is pretty neat as well – the big panel shows you what rooms are available and how much time is remaining before they’re free to use again.
Apart from the room with the private slide, they have other unique options like a room with a carousel in it. It’s not every day you get to say you rode a carousel in your hotel room – it’s definitely a story that’s gonna be popular with the besties back home.
9. The Hotelion, Sendai – Themed rooms for all sorts of fantasies
That hole in the centre is to hide in and peek into the shower.
Image credit: The Hotelion
When it comes to certain bedroom aerobic exercises, we all have preferences. How we like to do them, what we’re wearing when we do them – maybe some feel better when they’re under the watchful eye of others. At The Hotelion, they’re very aware of such preferences and have even designed their rooms to meet them – truly the pinnacle of hospitality.
There’s even a room with climbing walls.
Image credit: The Hotelion
Their amenities are plentiful as well, think honey-based body lotion, massage devices, and protection that comes in various flavours. They even have an odourless body wash to mask your stopover at a love hotel in the middle of the day – no one has to know, even if it’s to just take a nap.
10. Sky Paradise Rakuen, Oita – Theme park within a love hotel
Image credit: Sky Paradise Rakuen
Typically, a walk to the room in a love hotel is an awkward one. You definitely won’t have this problem if you’re staying at Sky Paradise Rakuen though – you’ll be too distracted by the mini theme park they have within their hotel.
Image credit: SKY Paradise Rakuen Oita via Facebook
Although there aren’t any rides that one can actually go for in the “theme park”, it’s definitely quite a sight to behold. There’s an entire lake with pirate ships and waterfalls – the rooms are part of the attraction as well. Some rooms have windows on the floor so you can see the water beneath as a cool reminder that the room is above the man-made lake.
They won’t let you forget you’re in a love hotel though – there’s a special feature which they call the “sexy skylight”. They made it a big red button too just to make guests extra curious as to what happens when it is pressed. But it is as its name describes it – pushing the button dyes the room in a sexy red light. All that’s left is to pick the right playlist for the perfect mood.
11. Hotel Two-Way, Tokyo – Party rooms near Shibuya station
Image credit: Hotel Two Way
There’s a special reason why they named this one Hotel Two-Way – it’s because there’s a normal front entrance but a more secluded back entrance for guests who want to stay lowkey. Its location also makes it a great choice for a place to crash during a night out since it’s located right next to Maruyamacho, where all the best nightlife spots are.
If partying out isn’t enough, they’ve even got a party room that can have up to 6 guests staying the night. This comes with 2 bedrooms with separate bathrooms as well – providing any couples in the group that want to take the party elsewhere with their own private space after group activities like karaoke are over.
12. Petit Hotel Rose Lips, Osaka – Floral-themed rooms run by females
Image credit: Rose Lips
Ladies, if you’re in charge of picking a love hotel to stay at – Petit Hotel Rose Lips is the one to go for. It’s quite rare for a love hotel to be run by ladies, but that just means they’ll know what the ladies want.
One quick look in the bathroom of any room will let you know they’ve got it spot on – they provide guests with a wide variety of amenities including body cream, face masks, a skincare pouch, and bubble bath solution. Those who want to ride around the city in style can also go for their party limousine service (¥20,000, ~S$186.94/90mins) which comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne.
13. Hotel Fuki, Osaka – Traditional Chinese & Japanese decor
Bedrooms are spacious and come with a mezzanine floor where the beds are.
Image credit: Hotel Fuki
The style of the rooms at Hotel Fuki are very reminiscent of rooms in the Showa period from 1926-1989. Their traditional Chinese-style rooms are also very well decorated and pay attention to details both in decor and architecture.
The rooms are so accurately done up that a lot of cosplayers portraying characters from that time period often book a spot just to have photoshoots. There are cosplay costumes for rental as well if there are any couples who want to roleplay or have a photoshoot of their own, but photography is only allowed in some of their rooms so do check with the staff first.
14. Jaguar Hotel Arima, Kobe – Rooms with glowing bathtubs
You’ll even get a massage chair in the bedroom.
Image credit: Planet Hotels
The “jaguar” in Jaguar Hotel Arima aptly represents the sleek and bold style of the rooms here. While the designs aren’t over the top, they have a luxurious feel to them – especially since they are pretty spacious.
Image credit: Hotels in Kobe
If you want to really light up your night, try and go for room 203 or 303 which have bathtubs that give off an ethereal glow – perfect for a party in the tub.
It’s also situated in a convenient location with places like Arima Onsen, Rokko Garden Terrace, and other attractions on Mt. Rokko being within a 10-minute drive from the hotel. These are good spots to paktor at – Arima Onsen is a hot spring village and Rokko Garden Terrace is an observation deck with amazing views of Kobe city.
15. Towers Hotel, Osaka – Subway carriage & train station room
Ding dong, coming soon.
Image credit: Tower’s Hotel
Themed rooms aren’t uncommon for love hotels but the ones at Towers Hotel definitely stand out from the rest. Those who know a thing or two about the trains in Japan will understand why the hotel decided to have a room modelled after a train carriage. And they did a really good job of making it an accurate model too – down to the announcement system sound effects.
Image credit: Tower’s Hotel
There’s also a retro American room with a private pool if you’re more in the mood for a summer beach party. Or opt for the billiard room if you want to have a couple of games with the bestie. You’ll have to ignore some weird-looking furniture in the room if you’re there with a friend though – those are meant for the couples to use.
16. Hotel Sara Kinshicho, Tokyo – Fake clinic room for “consultations”
Might have to make a visit, throat has been feeling sore lately.
Image adapted from: Sara Kinshicho
Themed rooms are one thing – the rooms at Hotel Sara Kinschico have something akin to a film set attached to the main bedroom. These sets almost look professionally set up – the doctor’s clinic has x-rays, stethoscopes and even a bed for patients to lie down and be examined.
They have over 40 different rooms each with a different set to choose from. The rooms even come with a mini vending machine to quench your thirst after working hard on set. Or enjoy their free videos on-demand – they’ve got the adult kind too.
Staying at a Japanese love hotel
From having secret tunnel exits to an entire theme park in them, the love hotels of today have definitely evolved. Many of them are also aiming to cater to groups of friends or even families with entertainment options and fun themes. They are also generally cheaper than regular hotels – you should definitely consider staying at one for a night or 2 on your next trip to Japan.
For more on travelling in Japan, check out:
- Hostels in Tokyo, Japan
- Cheap things to do in Tokyo in 2023
- Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo
- Overnight ferry in Japan
- Japanese onsen towns
Cover image adapted from: Hotel Regent Odaka, Hotel France, Sara Kinshicho and @hotelufo.official via Instagram
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