Karaoke seems to be one of Japan’s national pastimes as almost all Japanese love to get a group together and sing the words the their favorite songs. Most people have their one song that they do so well you would swear they have practiced it over and over again (actually they have). Anyway, you are probably asking yourself what does karaoke have to do with sleeping? Well, in Japan, karaoke is done a little different than back home. It is not execution style where you go in front of the whole bar and blast out a song, but instead, you have a private room for just you and your friends. There are rooms to accommodate just a few people and, as you can see below, large rooms that can hold even 15-20 people or more.

Assuming you do not get the all-you-can-drink, it is often much cheaper staying a few hours in the karaoke place rather than dishing out for a hotel. On the other hand, if you get the all-you-can-drink plan it the night might pass by a little quicker

Love Hotels are quite interesting and unique to Japan. Basically, love hotels are for couples to spend a few hours alone together as walls in Japanese homes are (sometimes literally) paper thin. Love hotels tend to have larger rooms than regular hotels, with nicer (and larger) bathrooms, plasma tvs, karaoke, video games, and access to dvds (adult and regular movies). Rooms can have various types of themes and some have various “amenities” such as massage chairs, slot machines, saunas or even a small indoor pool. Some hotels have different themes per room and other hotels have a theme for the entire hotel. There are two options, rest (2-3 hours) or starting from around 10pm you can stay (9-12 hours). Prices and times vary depending on the place, time of day, and if it is a weekend/holiday. A typical love hotel will cost about 3000-5000 yen for a rest and 7000-over 10000 yen for a stay. Often you choose your room by pressing a button next to a picture and then pay a person behind a opaque counter (privacy is important here). Apparently they will not let more than two people in a room nor do most let same sex couples in (sometimes).

If it does not bother you that many different couples have, um, used the room before you, the rooms are often larger and more comfortable than regular hotels. For a lot more detailed information check out Quirky Japan: Love Hotels and Love Hotels: Between Fantasy and desire.

Thanks to the two people, who wish to remain anonymous, who gave me the photos! If anyone else has some photos of interesting or wacky love hotels, I would be glad to post them here and, assuming you want it, of course you will get credit and I can link to your site (if you have one).