Destress at Japan hotel's 'crying rooms'

TOKYO - Crying has become a popular business in Japan, with apps and mass gatherings providing tear-inducing services for detoxing and destressing.

But one Japanese hotel, believing that crying should be a solo "muffled" activity done behind closed doors, has launched a special offer for women: rooms to cry in.

These rooms, which are reserved for "crying", contain a selection of films specially chosen to tug at the heartstrings, the Japanese media quoted a spokesman for the Mitsui Garden Yotsuya Hotel in Tokyo as saying.

There is also a collection of comics recommended by famous book seller Maruzen to make women cry.

Crying helps to combat stress, said the spokesman.

According to Japanese e-magazine Excite, a "cry room" can be booked and used for just a day by one person. Once inside, the guest should feel free to let her tears flow.

But if that fails to happen, there is a cry plan in every room.

The 12 videos she can choose from are famous sob titles including Hollywood's Forrest Gump, South Korea's A Moment To Remember and Japan's A Tale Of Mari And Three Puppies.

For those who prefer comics, there are four famous tear-jerkers at hand: Hourglass, Angel I'm Not, Flat and My Girl.

The room also provides post-crying services as it is important for criers to cover up all tell-tale signs of a crying jag.

For example, the tissue for wiping one's tears is specially chosen and feels like soft cashmere, said Excite. And there are warm masks for the eyes and warm sheets for the neck.

"Do not worry that you will have swollen eyes and a tired face the next day," said the e-magazine.

"Refreshed and reset, as if reborn - there is nothing like having cried your heart out," it added.

According to Chinese website Alibaixiu, the room is available at 10,000 yen (S$110) per day.

Said Excite: "If you have forgotten when you last cried, perhaps it's time that you check into the cry room and cry without hesitation and as hard as you can." myp@sph.com.sg

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