Love hotels are a short-stay hotel found in Japan that are designed for sex and are renowned for their focus on the privacy of their customers by providing anonymity to those seeking to engage in discrete intimate liaisons. Not the love hotel Banana & Donut (バナナとドーナツ) it seems. This Kyushu-based romance hotel, whose logo is a symbolism of sexual representation depicting an over-exerting banana on the verge of penetrating a coy looking donut, brazenly advertises on billboard-style highway signage this union of the phallus and yoni. They might as well have a big neon flashing sign saying “people getting laid here”. And what do you tell a car full of kids when driving past? Hey look children, this is how Mister Donut make those yummy banana donuts! But Mister Donut doesn’t push the banana in too far otherwise it will turn into a Krispy Kreme.

Love hotels (ラブホテル) are designed for sex. They are a type of short-stay hotel found in Japan and provide privacy for couples that are looking to engage in discrete intimate liaisons. Alternative names include romance hotel, fashion hotel, leisure hotel, amusement hotel, couples hotel and boutique hotel.

At a love hotel, you can “rest” – check in for a few hours – or “stay” – spend the night. Rates vary between establishments, a sign outside will usually have hours and rates.

Entrances are discreet and interaction with staff is minimised, with rooms selected from a panel of buttons and the bill settled by a pair of hands behind a pane of frosted glass.

Following is a list of ten decorated love hotel room themes where you can have your own sexual misadventure by living out your kinky, erotic and naughty fantasies.

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Here it is, the January 2010 edition of “Gekkan J-News Review”, a monthly wrap of five entertaining articles, events or observations related to Japan that piqued my interest. Not always mainstream and sometimes obscure yet invariably intriguing.

Fuji, Tramontane by CJW

In the off season Mt Fuji is prone to extremely unstable weather conditions. This didn’t stop one adventurer as he embarked on a lonesome and grueling climb of the highest mountain in Japan. Read his inspiring story which makes my climb more like a walk in the park.

The Japanese Passenger on the Titanic by Peter Payne

Not so famous employee of the Japanese Transportation Ministry, Masabumi Hosono, the only Japanese aboard the Titanic and survivor. On return home to Japan was attacked by the Japanese press for living fending off calls for him to commit suicide to atone for his dishonorable act. Read more.

Ruins of the Japanese Sex Industry by Michael John Grist

Michael John Grist searches and explores the abandoned ruins of Japan, a past-time known as ‘haikyo’. In the first of a series he explores the ruins of the Japanese sex industry and uncovers rotting, desolate and decaying love hotels, brothels and Turkish baths (‘Soaplands’). Read more.

Giant Robots by Muza-chan

“Robot anime” (ロボット, robotto), also known as “mecha”, is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots usually controlled by pilots. Muza-chan presents the top 6 life-size replicas of giant robot tourist attractions from various parts of Japan. Read more.

Shibuya Streets Vol 9 by Shibuya246

The “Shibuya Streets” series is a set of posts with pictures of the action from street level in Shibuya. Featured here is Volume 9 of the series as Shibuya246 explores Dogenzaka including shots of the Shibuya scramble crossing and the Shibuya 109. Read more.

February 2010 Gekkan J-News Review »