Japan govt looks to convert 'love hotels' into regular hotels for Olympic visitors
PUBLISHED ONMay 19, 2016 11:31 AM
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games draws closer, the Japanese Government is pulling out all the stops to ensure it is prepared for a surge in tourist arrivals.
One of the measures, according to The Japan Times, is to convert "love hotels" into regular hotels to house visitors in town for the games.
Love hotels in Japan offer rooms to couples at hourly rates, and often come with quirky themed rooms with features such as vibrating beds and mirrored ceilings.
The Japanese news agency reported that there are more than 10,000 love hotels across the country, and the occupancy rate for these is at about 40 per cent on weekdays.
However, Japanese law prevents those under 18 from entering love hotels, and thus prevents these businesses from providing rooms to families.
As a result, the government has reportedly told state-run lender Japan Finance Corp. to provide higher loans to such businesses so they can convert their facilities and be registered as regular hotels instead.
Love hotels usually offer cheaper rates compared to regular hotels. South China Morning Post reports that one can get a room at a love hotel for as low as 3,500 yen (S$44) a night. With the arrival of the Olympics though, it is likely the rates will go up, especially for the love hotels that choose to convert their businesses and begin providing regular hotel services.
ljessica@sph.com.sg
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