Almost every year it seems, the very scientific ‘which nation is getting its nuptials the most’ survey has Japan firmly rooted to the bottom, with apparently only a rare bit of rumpy-pumpy going on between the country’s clearly not bothered about it couples.
Yet that said, a lot of the respondents must be either lying due to the topic being a bit delicate, or because they are at it with other people’s partners, as despite the current financial crisis, Japan’s love hotels are, so to speak, one of the few areas seeing any substantial growth.
Not that such success comes easy of course, and with many areas having a positive plethora of such places, it’s perhaps inevitable that one or two spots are likely to suffer some very hard times indeed. Like the not so aptly named Hotel α21 for example.
A resting place that despite its rather dated looking driveway,
and well-worn walkways,
was nonetheless still open for business and promoting the Playboy channel as late as last month.
Until that is, a fire ripped through reception and a couple of the rooms.
Presumably causing panic among those caught with their pants not only down, but discarded.
A predicament that was sadly not prevented by one of the complex’s extremely feeble-looking fire extinguisher.
Meaning that the hotel’s remaining rooms now no longer need the green light to say go, or indeed come.
Although being so recently abandoned, the parts of the building that avoided the blaze have sadly yet to show those tell-tale signs of age, such as a vast array of vines, or more often than not, vandalism. But on the other hand, being a love hotel where privacy is understandably paramount, it does still offer some interesting light, like a canopy covered corridor for example.
Or windows that can’t been seen through, but at the same time set a suitably saucy scene. Whether it be racy red.
Or a bit of blue.
Plus, as an added bonus, from light, to the light hearted, with some phenomenally bold bathroom furniture.
But just like all abandoned buildings, with them once being somebody’s living space or livelihood, there’s understandably a sense of sadness of sorts, which in this case is in the form of a pool table that’ll never be played on again.
Along with a chair, complete with a neatly folded towel, that will unfortunately never see further use.
Or fornication.
Jonathan says
Really digging some of the lighting in this Lee, especially on the blue shot, the red couch and the pool table!
Lee says
Yeah, the lighting certainly helped make up for the lack of decay. The red sofa is my particular favourite.
daniel says
nice pics dude… especially the blue and red one…
Tyler says
Long time lurker here
You should keep your eye on this place, sort of like an evolution of the haikyo
Lee says
Yeah, I’ve thought about returning to a haikyo every now and again and seeing how it evolves over time. Trouble is, a lot of the changes tend to be due to vandalism.
Still, this place is fairly near to home, so it’s one I can easily check in on every now and again. If left alone, it could definitely be very interesting in a year or two.
Reina says
Hey there, great article. Loved the pictures and the captions that came before them. I’ve always found the ironic inverse proportion of love hotels and shoushika interesting. Amazing how Japan has such an underground (or not so much anymore perhaps) sex culture yet we’re struggling with making more babies..!
Can I add you to my blogroll please?
Lee says
Of course you can Reina!
The Envoy says
A gold toilet stool!
Adam says
Think the fire was intentional, of the “insurance payback” variety?
Lee says
It did cross our minds Adam, especially as it’s obvious the place wasn’t exactly booming.
Mike says
Great post Lee! Loving the vibrant colours in those two middle pictures. I’m intent on upgrading my camera soon (probably to the new Olympus Ep-1, as I dislike bulk). We should meet up sometime and go shooting together when I arrive to start work in Japan from August! Am totally hooked on the haikyo thing ^^. I will be based in Nagoya though..
Lee says
Sounds good to me Mike. Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle. I need to start heading further afield anyway, as I’ve pretty much exhausted most of the haikyo near-ish me.
Akimika says
The popular aspects that are focused on in Japan have always been a deterrent for me on the topic of traveling there. I don’t think I could do it to go see all the things the kids here want to see.
However you bring to light pieces of the everyday, yet still some of the most captivating slices of life. Posts like this make me wish to travel there so that I can see the everyday things and perhaps go urban exploring.
Maybe it’s just me seeing glory. Or you’re just doing a really good job. Always look forward to reading this blog the most.
Lee says
Thanks Akimika. Obviously I’d like to think it’s me doing a good job, but I think as long as one remains curious, even in everyday life here there’s always something of interest. In fact, if I ever lose that curiosity, then it’ll probably be time to go home.
thejapaneseeye says
Wicked shots with the natural light, cant believe the pool table, wonder if it would fit in my apartment!!!
Anna says
The girl on the flyer is Lexi Belle, well known USA pornstar she occasionally does J-Porn as well.
Cool photos by the way : )
Maktaaq says
I like the crane wall!
Did they leave everything behind? There’s so much they could have taken and re-sold.
Plus, even if I went bankrupt and had to give up on my hotel, I would take home all the shampoo and make my family use it.