So you’ve had a night on the town in Tokyo, and whether you’ve been out in Nichome or another of the myriad LGBTQ+ bars in Japan’s beautiful capital, you may be lucky enough to get lucky! Or, maybe you’re out with your partner, and you both decide you can’t wait until you get home to rely enjoy one another’s company. So, what do?
Well, as you may be aware, Japan is home to a number of love hotels, most of those in Tokyo are open to LGBTQ+ people (even if it should be all, and it should be nationwide). Sounds like the perfect solution! But which one to choose? Here’s a little list of liaisons for the loved-up or the lustful!
What is a Love Hotel?
Although the name is something of a euphemism, it is one that isn’t especially difficult to parse: these are places where people can stay the night for the express purpose of sex. Despite (or perhaps due to) their reputation, many love hotels are cheaper than business hotels, even though they often have amenities like karaoke, condoms, lube, and other things to ensure that your night goes smoothly.
Additionally, because one doesn’t necessarily need all night to sate their desires (though that is certainly an option for the more energetic amongst us), love hotels often offer stays in terms of hours, rather than nights. These are usually referred to as “short stays.”
One thing to note for anyone in a polyamorous relationship, or for couples who have met their perfect thruple partner, is that love hotels — even those that are LGBTQ+ friendly — may not be quite as open to more than two people attending a session.
We’ll stop teasing now and get down to business with our list!
Hotel Queen Annex
Arguably the most iconic hotel in Shinjuku Nichome, this hotel is large, bright, and hard to miss. LGBTQ+ travellers will find a welcoming and comfortable stay in the heart of Tokyo’s lively Shinjuku district. This hotel blends modern comforts with warm Japanese hospitality, offering stylish rooms and convenient access to local attractions. With amenities like free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk, Hotel Queen Shinjuku is an excellent base for exploring Tokyo. Discover a friendly and inclusive environment where every guest feels at home.
Hotel J-Mex
Located in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s biggest partying area — the nightlife district within the nightlife district — is home to this famous and highly regarded love hotel. Every room comes with a karaoke machine, a jet bath, a bathroom TV, and free WiFi. Additionally, certain rooms have perks like mist sauna, 3D massage chairs, and lotion mats.
Hotel Alpha-In
A self-described “fashion hotel,” Alpha-In is a BDSM-themed love hotel, with all the necessities for those who like to indulge in (or inflict) exquisite agony. It has become famous among dom/mes and subs the world over as one of the best places for people to visit, especially after a trip to Department H. It even publishes its own art books and other merch. Though you can’t reserve rooms, so they’re first-come first-serve, there are six floors in this hotel, so you’ll almost definitely find a place in the building — whether it’s the top or the bottom.
Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Long a symbol of the fast-paced life in Tokyo, capsule hotels have been a curiosity for decades among visitors to Japan, and this one happens to be within walking distance of Nichome. Open for short stays as well as overnight stops, it has free WiFi, a men’s-only bathhouse and sauna, and each capsule has a television, charging ports, and personal lighting.
Hotel Sara
The gold-standard when it comes to themed love hotels, every room in Sara not only has a bath and a traditional (some might even say, vanilla) bed, but comes with a special room as an adjunct. Whether this be a classroom for student/teacher fantasies, a CEO’s office for anyone who has ever wanted to seduce or be seduced by their boss, or even an ice room for people who just want to Let It Go.
Tokyo, and Japan, are filled with places to inspire and — as we have seen — express love. And for the LGBTQ+ community, which even today still has obstacles to overcome, there are still places that are accepting and where you can express your love together.
