Gothic Lolita Punk blog La Carmina, Tokyo fashion, Japanese street style photos, cute nail art, Hello Kitty, anime cosplay, Goth clothing, Japan gyaru makeup, eyelashes, rainbow hair.
«
»

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル.


TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels how to visit, guide, tourism

“Have a good time, from me.” What exactly is this Shibuya neon sign hinting at? And what do the prices mean? (All photos by La Carmina.)

If you guessed that it’s a beacon for a love hotel, you’re spot on. Found all over Japan, love hotels contain weirdly-themed rooms that couples rent for a few hours to… erm… have a good time!

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

You can recognize one of these establishments from the love innuendo — or the gaudy decor. Jolly snowmen, subway cars and Hello Kitty bondage are only some of the odd themes found in love hotels.

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

Discretion is the name of the game at love hotels. Visitors pay by cash machines or pneumatic tubes, or at concealed window so that the staff never sees your face. While this Shibuya district may seem like a sketchy place to wander, the area is not at all dangerous…

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

From the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station, walk towards the 109 department store and stay to the left. Keep going, past Christon Cafe, and turn right after you reach the 7-Eleven. You’ll find dozens of funny love hotels in this area.

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS, amusement hotels for intercourse, PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler photographer and Natsuo Kirino, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

Inside, you can buy toys or rent costumes…

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

Which cosplay outfit tickles your pickle?

TOKYO LOVE HOTELS. PHOTOS OF STRANGE SHIBUYA LOVE HOTEL SIGNS, WEIRD THEME BEDROOMS, ラブホテル. book by Misty Keasler and Natsuo Kirino, temporary rest stays, Japanese sex hotels

The Colonel Sanders statue outside KFC Shibuya is probably more disturbing than anything you’ll find in a love hotel…

Want to take a peek inside Japanese love hotels? Misty Keasler and Natsuo Kirino have a book called Love Hotels: The hidden fantasy rooms of Japan. For G-rated theme establishments, there is my book Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo.

PS: Bad girls beauty scandal: read about the rise and fall of the Asian beauty queen in my new CNNGo article.

PPS: Visual Kei fans, Maru Music is holding a contest where the fans get to make the next commercial for D’espairsRay’s album IMMORTAL! The winning entry will be featured on the Maru Music website and will receive a D’espairsRay prize pack including a autographed copy of their album. Visit Maru Music for full details and to enter (the deadline for the contest is June 21st.)

Japanese Word of the Day: Makeup = O-kesho
Song of the Day: South Park Goth Song (Happy belated World Goth Day! Go blast your Bauhaus and do the gloomy dance…)

Twitter icon square logo social network and bookmarkYouTube video icon square logo, share videos on social network siteRSS subscribe in a reader, Feedburner blog aggregation logo and iconFacebook social networking icon square logo Get posts in inbox by email, envelope mail icon and logo for blogs Feedburner Google webmaster tool

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 am and is filed under Art + Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.


  • http://www.diamondcanopywinn.blogspot.com Winnie

    Hello Kitty bondage? Two things that should NEVER belong together! Ahh.

  • sunlovey

    love your posts.

  • shadowpal2

    I agree on the Colonel being the most disturbing thing there…….completely agree…- NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

    • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

      Mos def!!

  • Lindsay

    I would totally pick the buruma to wear. xD

  • BI

    Sadly, some of my friends have used those. xD

  • Infinity Green

    =)… wanna go there someday

  • http://www.diamondcanopywinn.blogspot.com Winnie

    Hello Kitty bondage? Two things that should NEVER belong together! Ahh.

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  • sunlovey

    love your posts.

  • http://hibari-sensei.livejournal.com/ Jen

    I was scared to walk down the streets of Shibuya after a live because the love hotels made it look sketchy, but you’re right, it’s harmless.

    By the way, I got my co-workers into Cute Yummy Time. They’ve been looking for ways to make their kids eat healthier foods.

    • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

      Oooh were you at Shibuya O East or O West for a live? Who did you see? I was there recently for Deluhi…
      That is SO cool to hear! I hope they find the techniques helpful! xcoxo

      • http://hibari-sensei.livejournal.com/ Jen

        I was at O East for a two-man with Duel Jewel and Kra. It was so much fun, lots of energy and silliness (the theme was “2.4 hr live”).

  • Emma

    There's even a piano so you can play your favourite pieces from Bethoven before you dive into all the fun Hello Kitty BDSM stuff. (wut?)

  • shadowpal2

    I agree on the Colonel being the most disturbing thing there…….completely agree…- NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

  • Lindsay

    I would totally pick the buruma to wear. xD

  • BI

    Sadly, some of my friends have used those. xD

  • Infinity Green

    =)… wanna go there someday

  • http://hibari-sensei.livejournal.com/ Jen

    I was scared to walk down the streets of Shibuya after a live because the love hotels made it look sketchy, but you're right, it's harmless.

    By the way, I got my co-workers into Cute Yummy Time. They've been looking for ways to make their kids eat healthier foods.

  • Sam

    o–o 8stars at link* and why dont we have them here in england? >>

  • Moon Maiden 90

    Oh my gosh!!!….that’s great lol
    it definately spices things up as compared to the fact that there is nothin like that around here…
    & ur probably right about the KFC, Sanders statue…It’s creepin me out lookin at. lol

  • http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/ trashtastika

    Hehe..I’ve always found them weird, but they’re a part of the culture, love hotels. Since kids sleep with their parents up to 5 years old sometimes, even married people go there for a bit of nookie! Funnily enough, the punk festival I go to each year is hidden amongst them on Love Hotel hill in Shibuya :)

    • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

      I’ve never been to the punk festival! When does it take place? Hopefully I can catch it one year…

  • Fooz

    Really? Hello Kitty bondage exists? haha

    • Ceph!

      I’m not one for memes, but it sounds like Rule 34 at work

    • Ceph!

      I’m not one for memes, but it sounds like Rule 34 at work

  • Ktychr

    They are super nice inside. =)

  • Sam

    o–o 8stars at link* and why dont we have them here in england? >>

  • Moon Maiden 90

    Oh my gosh!!!….that's great lol
    it definately spices things up as compared to the fact that there is nothin like that around here…
    & ur probably right about the KFC, Sanders statue…It's creepin me out lookin at. lol

  • http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/ trashtastika

    Hehe..I've always found them weird, but they're a part of the culture, love hotels. Since kids sleep with their parents up to 5 years old sometimes, even married people go there for a bit of nookie! Funnily enough, the punk festival I go to each year is hidden amongst them on Love Hotel hill in Shibuya :)

  • Fooz

    Really? Hello Kitty bondage exists? haha

  • Ktychr

    They are super nice inside. =)

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

    I've never been to the punk festival! When does it take place? Hopefully I can catch it one year…

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

    Oooh were you at Shibuya O East or O West for a live? Who did you see? I was there recently for Deluhi…
    That is SO cool to hear! I hope they find the techniques helpful! xcoxo

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

    Mos def!!

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

    Somehow, that makes perfect sense… :P

  • http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/ trashtastika

    It's around St Patricks Day, March 17 to 22nd usually, as it's Irish punk like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2010…
    There's a much bigger international one called Punkspring, but I like the smaller local ones.

  • Trashtastika

    Looking forward to pics from Tokyo Decadance and other clubs!

  • Rose Saga

    LOL, I think I walked past these love hotels when I was in Shibuya xD
    There was this Lawson near 109 and when I came out of it, I suddenly saw some funky coloured houses with names like “Hotel Casanova”… I guess that must have been the love hotels you mentioned xD

    • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

      Hahah you got it! What a funny name for a hotel.

  • Lisa

    I too would love to go to a love hotel with my guy. =)

  • Rose Saga

    LOL, I think I walked past these love hotels when I was in Shibuya xD
    There was this Lawson near 109 and when I came out of it, I suddenly saw some funky coloured houses with names like “Hotel Casanova”… I guess that must have been the love hotels you mentioned xD

  • http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

    Hahah you got it! What a funny name for a hotel.

  • Lisa

    I too would love to go to a love hotel with my guy. =)

  • http://hibari-sensei.livejournal.com/ Jen

    I was at O East for a two-man with Duel Jewel and Kra. It was so much fun, lots of energy and silliness (the theme was “2.4 hr live”).