- How to Fill in Your Visit Japan Web Arrival Documents for Japan - 18 March 2026
- The Beginners Guide to Getting on the Shinkansen - 16 March 2026
- How to Use Buses in Nara - 11 March 2026
Love hotels in Japan are a place for couples to spend some alone time in a space-deprived country – but, they’re also increasingly on offer as a place for tourists to stay. But, if you’re going to book one on your trip, there are a few things you need to know. Check out our guide to what it’s like to stay in a Love Hotel, the tips you need to make your stay go smoothly, and a few suggestions of ones you might want to try on your trip.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
If you see a hotel in Japan marked as ‘adults only’ on a booking website – and it’s not an exclusive ryokan – it’s probably a love hotel.
Traditionally, booked in short blocks of a few hours, or over one night, and aimed very much at locals, they’re now appearing on many travel websites as an option for tourists – some of whom don’t quite realise what they are booking until they get there. I know of one mum and daughter who booked in, lured in by the size of the room, and only realized once they arrived what the hotel actually was.
Expect to find a large room, sometimes with a few interesting accessories – but also ways to pass the time like spa baths, saunas, games consoles, or karaoke as some couples use them as a place to spend a quiet evening together rather than anything more NSFW.
Some are also fantastically themed – if you’ve ever wanted to stay the night in an alien galaxy or pirate ship this could be your answer.
Pros of Staying in a Love Hotel
Rooms are normally bigger than the average Japanese hotel room
Rates are cheap for the size of room and location
A fun experience – and/or a honeymoon with a difference!
Walls are thick, there may be no windows and some level of soundproofing, so, if you hate people they might be perfect (NB: I am describing Mr Japlanease right now).
Cons of Staying in a Love Hotel
Little to no staff interaction
You might see a few interesting sights in the room, on the television
While most hotels are used by couples, some commercial transactions might go on there
There are usually some smoking rooms and odours can travel.
Don’t expect much storage space as the hotels weren’t designed for unpacking
Many rooms won’t have windows
Love Hotels can be in, or next to red-light districts which may be off-putting to some.
What’s It Like to Stay in a Love Hotel?
My lungs and the smell of smoke are not friends, so I have avoided love hotels until now (although see below about one chain with no smoking rooms) but, Lyn and Steve, who run the travel blog A Hole in My Shoe did book a love hotel in Osaka, during their trip to the city and had a great time. Here’s what Lyn told me…
‘The location was fabulous, right in central Namba, it was a 5-minute walk from the Namba train station, mostly along an undercover street, and we could see the Ebisu Tower (Don Quijote) Ferris Wheel from our room. Another great thing about the location was that it was only 160m from Kuromon Market.
But it was the size of the room that was impressive (who says size doesn’t matter). There was a separate entrance to the bedroom/living area from the door off of the hallway (which also had a hutch for room service or extra towels), the bathroom had a decent-sized jacuzzi and TV, and the vanity and toilet were both separate from the actual bathroom.
The room was 44m2 with a large TV with in-house movies, karaoke machine, change machine, vending machine, tea/coffee facilities, fridge/freezer, microwave, and our very own disco ball above the huge bed, along with a mysterious red light. We also had a large sofa and a big comfy massage chair.
The room was very quiet, despite the location, and was super clean, and did not smell of cigarette smoke. They also provided pyjamas, robes and slippers. There were also complimentary bottled water and Japanese snacks replenished each day. There is a restaurant/breakfast room and buffet breakfast was included. Wifi was provided and room service was available.
The reception area was Moroccan style and had a Filipino woman who would collect our room key each time we exited the building and hand it back when we re-entered. She would wink and as she smiled would say “enjoy your sleep”. In reception there were baskets with loads of free products, massage oil, hand cream, toiletries, condoms, combs, headbands, bath salts, eye masks, and more. You can also purchase items from the front desk like cigarettes, pantyhose, men’s/women’s underwear, and socks.
Anonymity is assured with two separate entry/exit doors so men and women can enter or leave separately if they choose to.
We did find they do not arrange luggage forwarding, but there was a 7/11 nearby which could do that for us. They also did store luggage if you arrived early. ‘
See more about what else Lyn and Steve got up to in the city in their guide to fun things to do in Osaka. The hotel they stayed in, Hotel Alps, is no longer adults only, but still has those fantastically large rooms.
A Few Tips on Booking a Love Hotel
Your Love Hotel experience might differ depending on how you book the hotel, ones booked via the big tourist websites will be run more like a normal hotel than if you walk into a Love Hotel off the street while you’re in Japan and book it there and then, but, these are the main things you need to know.
How to Find a Love Hotel
If you want to book a love hotel before your trip, it couldn’t be easier – booking.com now allows you to filter for them along the side of the page in the Property Type section!
Or, as I said, above, if you’re perusing the listings in an area and a hotel says it’s ‘adults only’, and looks a bit kitsch or has another kind of theme, offers an amazing-sized room for not much money, and/or has pictures of beds or baths sprinkled with rose petals (rather than private onsen baths with mountain views, tatami floors and 7-course elaborate dinners), it’s likely to be a love hotel!
If you want to book into one while you’re in Japan, you’ll often find a row of love hotels in a certain area – usually near an entertainment area, or red light district.
In Tokyo’s Shinjuku you’ll find them around Kabukicho, in Shibuya, there is a love hotel hill around Dogenzaka (that’s it above). Ikebukuro also has a few.
In Osaka, you’ll find them around Dotonbori in Namba – even Kyoto has love hotels, although they tend to be located in nearby towns rather than the historic city.
Some might only rent to Japanese people, but, often you don’t deal with a staff member, in which case, so long as you can work the booking machine, you’ll be in.
Understand the Rates
If you decide to book a love hotel in person when you’re in Japan, note there are two room rates – Rest which is for a few hours, or Stay, which is overnight – but, even if you book Stay, you can’t normally get into your room until the evening.
The rates will usually be advertised outside in advance – in the sign below, 3900 is the rate for a 3 hour rest, the other two are for longer stays.
If you book a love hotel in advance on one of the international booking sites like booking.com or Agoda, you’ll usually get a normal check-in time and can just treat it as a normal hotel, coming and going as you please, but you still might have to hand in your room key each time you leave.
Oh, I often see people suggesting love hotels as a cheap place to stay – they’re cheaper than a western style hotel with a large room, but, the price is comparable, or even more, than a business hotel booked early.
Expect to pay a little less if you book a ‘stay rate’ in Japan than for the same room booked in advance – for example, the Hotel Petit Bali Hagashi Shinjuku charges around 200 AUD a night booked in advance, but, 9800 yen (roughly half that) for a stay rate – but as you’ll see, that does come with reduced flexibility around things like check-in time – and, leaving the room after you’ve checked in.
Don’t Expect Extras
If you choose to book a Love Hotel once you’re in Japan, and it’s not one that also targets tourists, note that services like luggage storage or a concierge aren’t going to be available (in fact you might not see another human at all). You’ll need to be quite self-sufficient.
Again, if you book in advance, this is likely to be different. As Lyn’s experience showed, her hotel offered some extra facilities – but do check on things like breakfast, and whether they can store luggage before or after your stay.
Confirm the Check In Time
Normally, love hotels don’t allow people to check in on a stay rate until about 10 pm. If you book a room for a longer stay though, you might be told you can check in at the normal 3 pm – however, some reviewers say they arrived at that time and, even though the hotel would hold their luggage, they still couldn’t check in until late.
Other love hotels clearly state later check-in times on their booking page (the Hotel Old Swing below, for example, starts at 5pm), so do double-check.
That might not bother you if you have lots of sightseeing to do anyway, but if you’re coming straight in from a long flight, for instance, and are desperate for a nap, waiting around for hours might not be the best way to start your trip.
Check For Credit Cards
If you book a love hotel in Japan, they may only take cash for payment. Again, if you book in advance for a longer stay, you’ll likely either pay the hotel by credit card, or pay the hotel booking site in advance.
Pick Your Room
If you book a hotel from the street in Japan, you’ll usually choose your room via a machine – if it’s lit up it’s still available and you can choose the theme that appeals to you most.
Once You’re In, You’re In
This isn’t the case if you’ve booked your hotel in advance for a longer stay, but, if you’re visiting for one night, you can’t come and go in a Love Hotel.
The idea is you go in and spend time together so, there’s no nipping our for dinner (or to buy snacks), or out to a temple for a spot of sightseeing, once you’ve checked in. This will be classed as checking out and you’ll be charged for your stay.
Remember The Name
Yes, as a tourist you might just be using a Love Hotel as a handy place to sleep – but, other people won’t be so, don’t be shocked or offended if you find adult channels on the television, a menu of interesting toys for purchase or mirrors on the ceiling. Yes, even if there is a Hello Kitty room! You might also see some couples who obviously have only just met, and in some of the more dodgy areas, there may be an age disparity.
If any of this is going to upset, offend or embarrass you, don’t book a love hotel. For obvious reasons, anyone under 18 is not allowed to stay in a love hotel.
Watch Out for Smoking
This is why I have not yet stayed in a Love Hotel, despite the fact that their room size (and the kitsch value) appeals a lot – I hate the smell of smoke and can’t sleep in a room where anyone has smoked and, many Love Hotels do allow smoking.
Check the reviews for the hotel you’re choosing to see if this is an issue – as Lyn says above, she didn’t smell anything in the hotel they chose so, you might find there are no issues. I’m also seeing more love hotels offering non-smoking rooms so booking one of these can also be an option.
5 Love Hotels to Consider
As I said, if you just want to experience a love hotel for a night or a few hours, you can just rock up to the appropriate area and book into whichever hotel takes your fancy – but, if you want to stay for longer and get some of the benefits of a normal hotel (like being able to leave your room without checking out!) here are a few love hotels open to visits from longer-staying guests.
Hotel & Spa J Mex in Shinjuku
You didn’t want to leave your room and sightsee did you? Rooms in this hotel are not only large and spacious, but they come with their own sauna, hot tub, and karaoke device!
Reviews praise how friendly and helpful the staff are, which considering you don’t normally see the staff at a Love Hotel is a definite bonus if you’re feeling a bit lost!
Petit Bali Forest, Shinjuku Sanchome
Many of the ‘Bali’ brand of hotels in Tokyo are love hotels, but this one is in a particularly good location as, while it’s in Shinjuku, it’s slightly away from the red light district in Kabukicho.
It’s more romantic than kitsch, and the rooms are a little smaller than the normal Love Hotel, people say they can actually be a bit too snug for two people and suitcases, but, it gets a mention as it specifically allows you to book a non-smoking room. Interestingly, I’ve seen solo travelers stay here and also recommend it.
Hotel Rose Lips, Osaka
If Hotel J Mex is a bit too plain for your tastes, check out Hotel Rose Lips in Osaka.
I took the photo of the exterior of this above on one of my first trips to Japan with no clue what it was about – and now, you can book to stay in it – and, it’s fantastically OTT!
Look
Hotel Artia Dinosaur, Hirakata
I admit, I did not think I was going to find the kitchest Love Hotel on the list in Kyoto, but ladies and gentlemen – we have a winner!
Okay, so technically, this isn’t in Kyoto city – it’s actually about halfway between Kyoto and Osaka, in the town of Hirakata, but, if you’re looking for somewhere fun – and cheap to stay, and don’t mind a commute (it’s about an hour to Kyoto station or 45 minutes to Osaka), then why would you not want to stay in a dinosaur themed love hotel!
The exterior has all the extra from Jurassic Park stuck on the roof, the interior has dinosaur paintings everywhere. It’s just glorious!
Hotel Sweets
You can no longer book the branches of this fantastically over-the-top chain in advance, so this is one love hotel that you’ll have to book as a rest or stay when you get to Japan, but, because you’ve possibly seen it on Instagram, and the theming is so fun and OTT, I’m adding it in here.
Their most convenient location in Shibuya has closed down, but, they do have a branch in Namba in Osaka and also in the town of Yawata which is a day trip from Kyoto. This is the one to book if you really want a room you’ll remember!
See more about the room theming in each location via their website.
So, there you have it, our guide to what to know before you book into a Love Hotel in Japan. It’s definitely one of those only in Japan experiences you’ll talk about after your trip.
If however, you’ve decided a love hotel is not quite right for you, but aren’t quite willing to give up on the idea of a unique place to sleep you might also want to consider staying in a capsule hotel as another fun way to sleep somewhere different.
Or, why not book a hotel that’s staffed with robots? Both are also fun options in Japan. To see all the different types of hotel in Japan you can pick from, take a look at our Japan Accommodation Guide. If you’re still working out exactly where you want to stay, you might also want to check out our guide to picking the perfect hotel for you which gives you looks of tips and tricks to find the best hotel in Japan for you.
