There is a very dangerous side to Tokyo and something I didn’t expect.
I spent the day wandering the streets of Shinjuku-ku, which is lined with colorful neon street lights, endlessly buzzing bars, restaurants, and karaoke rooms.
The Skyscraper District is also home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, which has a popular observation deck for viewing the city’s vast skyline.
However, what it is also known for is Kabukicho, which unbeknownst to me has the largest red light district in Tokyo.
After doing a lot of sightseeing, walking almost 30,000 steps, and stuffing myself with more ramen that day, I was ready to call it a day.
But then I stumbled upon a very bright street that piqued my interest. There was a red illuminated belt on my back, which could only mean one thing – I was about to enter a level X area.
It can be a suitable place for the whole family for a whole day. However, when the moon rises, a strong “adult” atmosphere prevails.
As I pass through the bright gate, the further you go, the more dangerous the endless sex shops and hostess clubs.
In addition, I noticed something very sketchy – men, regardless of gender, try to attract you to places of entertainment, I think strip clubs.
I’m told the general rule is if someone is outside trying to get you in – don’t go. And if they quote a price, expect to pay three times that (at least). I didn’t want to go in, so I kept walking.
I also vaguely remember that “Love Hotels” or “rabuho†, where you guessed it, was devoted to the art of love – hours or nights.
Although red light districts are very common in big cities, what really surprised me were the love hotels.
Given that Tokyo has a population of 37 million, it’s no wonder they’re so popular with couples who just want some privacy.
“It’s a theme hotel where people usually go to have a sexy time,” said TikTok user “Konpeichann”. clip when explaining the popularity behind the hotels.
“In Japan, a lot of people prefer to have sex in hotels rather than having sex in their own place, because the houses are packed together, there is no space, the walls are very thin, and it is normal does not follow the rules of etiquette. complaining about the noise.â€
However, they are not only for locals, tourists can also enjoy the love hotel even if they are traveling alone and want to try something unusual.
I was curious to see what these hotels looked like because I heard some even had water slides.
I made another turn into the street, and lo and behold, I found myself surrounded by them.
I also noticed that he suddenly went from chaotic to barely a whisper or sight.
Still, I was here to “check out,†so I continued my walk.
From the outside, the hotels look “normal,†advertising shows what they look like inside.
I didn’t feel comfortable walking in, but don’t stress, the advertised photos gave you a good idea of what to expect.
Some of them were decorated with exquisite furniture and had a special love heart symbol that defined them as love hotels, unlike traditional hotels.
They also used the word “resort” in their fare listings for short visits or overnight “staycations”.
Some ranged from $40 to $70 for two to four hours, while a “stay†was nearly double that.
Basically, if two prices are displayed outside the hotel, it is a love hotel.
While you might be thinking why not just go to a hotel, love hotels not only let you stay for a few hours, but they also offer things like mirrored ceilings, jacuzzi tubs, and complimentary fragrances. condoms.
Compared to regular or business hotels, these hotels not only have comparable prices, but they usually have great features.
In addition to the above, some have private saunas, karaoke, soundproof walls, game consoles and lots of furniture in one room.
They are famous for having a theme and there is even a hotel called Hotel Sekitei that has a water slide inside, but it was an hour away from Chiba.
While I didn’t make it all the way to check it out, lucky for us, Aussie travel blogger Emma, aka Tokidoki Traveler on YouTube, recorded it. clip allowing viewers to see what’s inside.
“If you want to visit, it is very difficult. They don’t speak English and you can’t book a hotel, so you have to drive around and hope there’s a slide room available,” he said in his clip.
After entering one of the luxurious rooms with her friend, Emma saw the glass door and was excited to see a large water slide begin behind her.
“Wait, that… is THAT a slide? Oh my God. Damn it. It’s epic,’ he shouted.
After descending the stairs to the bottom of the slide, the duo were taken back by the disco lights and how big the slide was.
“People must have done it on the slide,…†he laughed. “It’s crazy, look how big it is. “It is also very beautiful.â€
He then gave a brief explanation of Japanese love hotels.
“This is where you go for work and business [but] Besides, they have interesting hotels, very good baths and interesting things.â€
“It’s a great time to hang out with friends and do whatever you want, order food, sit in a big tub with some lights and bubbles, and go down the slide.
Emma and her friend spent $120 for four hours at the hotel.
“I think if you can get a full water slide in the deal, that would be great,” he said.
The first modern love hotel opened in Osaka in 1968 was called “Hotel Love” – this name has since become a universal term for a hotel where couples can spend a few hours alone.
Another was a Disneyland-like facility called the Meguro Emperor, and hotels soon opened around Tokyo called Casablanca, Sky Love, Venus, Paradiso, Aphrodite, and the less discretely named Hotel Eros. €™ the Greek god of love.
However, the concept dates back to Japan’s Edo period in the 17th century, where hotels and teahouses were built for more illicit purposes with separate entrances for visitors.
Today, there are about 37,000 love hotels in Japan.
.