Love hotels, rabu hoteru, originate in Japan. They function as a short-stay hotel (could be 1-3 hours, or more) to provide private space for couples (in a nice way, couples, but you know who else goes there..) to engage in intercourse (what kind? I don't think I need to be that specific) or maybe spend some quality time together (yeah, right).

There are about 25,000 love hotels all around Japan and they are visited close to 500 million times a year. Despite the current bad economy, they seem to be doing pretty well.

A love hotel executive for Asian P-Door in Tokyo said that they only suffered 3-4% drop in business but they have retained their 400% occupancy rate. Yes, that is 400%. This would mean that everyday, all their rooms will be used and each room would be used 4 times a day. WOOH!! Japanese seems to be doing 'intercourse' quite a lot even in such bad times. HAHA!

Some of the love hotels are themed. Hospital wards, classroom, train carriages and more. I guess Japanese quite like role playing to have these love hotels specially themed to better suit their fantasies.

These love hotels work pretty discreetly as well. Most hotel staff minimize contact with their guest. Some have payment machines outside each room just in case the guest wishes to be left unseen. Some hotels have underground car parks and provide screens to hide their car plates. Love hotels go all out to prevent guests' spouse from discovering the affair. =D

And that is a little bit more about Japan that I share with you today!



Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8137746.stm

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