Love Hotels
Love Hotels, just like capsule hotels, are a firm stable in Japan, yet they are shrouded in mystery for foreign visitors to the country.
Despite their illustrious name, though, love hotels more often than not serve as a place for a quick nap for those busy salary men on one of their many business trips across the country.
Available to rent for a few hours up to the whole night and ranging from elaborate play rooms for adventurous couples to a simple bed-sofa-bathtub arrangement, they offer interesting set-ups as a photo location.
Invited by one of my first shooting partners ever, Aja Jane, to accompany her to one of her self-portrait sessions, I took all the camera gear I had at that time, including a trusty little analogue camera, and met her near Shibuya station.
Walking up and down the back alleys of hilly Shibuya, we checked the displays in the foyers, that showed which rooms were available, the amenities they offered and the prices. The concierge was usually hidden behind a frosted glass pane to protect the guests‘ anonymity.
We finally settled on a simple room with walls in lush pinks, the ubiquitous big bed and a vinyl couch in apple green.
The dim lights, though adjustable, were definitely a challenge for my still blossoming photographer skills. Looking back at those pictures, they were definitely saved by the modelling skills of Aja, rather than my expertise in using the available light or directing her.
Love Hotel Series
Since that very first time, I had several more opportunities to shoot in love hotels, across Tokyo with some remarkable partners in front of my camera. The places we went to ranged from cheesy to futuristic or even slightly desolate.
The results were as varied as the rooms and the models. Pensive, strong or fashionable, they bring back strong memories of
The feeling of doing something naughty when looking at those displays, choosing the room, never went away. Nor did the excitement of riding up that elevator or walking down the quiet corridor, wondering what was going on behind those other doors.
I hope one day, when there is another chance to spend some extended time in Japan, there will be more opportunities to explore the world of Love Hotels. Not just in Tokyo, but other cities like Osaka or Kyoto. On my wish list, besides rooms decorated in a more futuristic or retro style, is still one with tatami flooring and a oshiire, a traditional Japanese closet used to store the futons when they are not in use.
