In Japan, love is countercyclical

The recession may still be hitting Japan hard, but Japanese are sparing no expense in their pursuit of some private gratification.

Japan's love hotels are attracting interest from more than just couples looking for a place to spend a few private hours.

Investors are also interested; this vast market seems to be proving more resilient to the recession than luxury business hotels.

There are about 25,000 love hotels in Japan which are visited an estimated 500 million times a year.

Clustered around train stations, they are doing a brisk business despite the worst recession in living memory[...]

Plenty of customers are using love hotels to indulge in affairs or to meet prostitutes, although many are couples looking to escape the narrow confines of Japanese apartment living.

According to the BBC, many of the love hotels cater to specific themes, ranging from bondage to the film Titanic. Travelers be warned, though: "each room is, on average, used four times a day." Think about bringing your own sheets.

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