An urban explorer recently came across a deserted Japanese love hotel that had been left untouched for twenty years near Nagoya in southern Japan. Love hotels, which provide private rooms for short stays, cater mainly to couples looking for a discreet and intimate space. While their popularity peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, these establishments still operate in Japan, although less frequently.
Luke Bradburn, aged 29, visited Japan in early 2024 to document the Fukushima exclusion zone and concluded his journey in Aichi Prefecture, where he stumbled upon the abandoned hotel. The four-story building has remained unaltered since closing in the early 2000s due to declining business in the area.
Each room inside the hotel featured a unique theme, offering diverse experiences such as spaceship-style beds, clam-shaped baths, and even a complete boxing ring. Luke, who comes from Bury, Greater Manchester, described the experience as surreal, noting the well-preserved state of the place, including menus still on display for guests to choose from.
Initially discovering the hotel through social media images, Luke faced challenges locating it due to its rural setting. After extensive research on Google Maps, he eventually found the hotel and planned his exploration. Luke explained that the hotel shut down in the early 2000s due to the aging local population, resulting in fewer young visitors and ultimately leading to its closure.
Each room in the building showcased distinctive themes, ranging from spacecraft-style beds to shell-shaped baths and a fully equipped boxing ring. Video footage revealed untouched sex toys from decades ago, with all rooms still furnished with beds, baths, or jacuzzis.
Reflecting on his discovery, Luke expressed surprise at the extent of the preserved items, mentioning peculiar arrangements like clam-shaped baths, UFO or carousel-themed beds, and bondage equipment adorned with a large red star. He found the room with the star particularly intriguing, describing it as reminiscent of the Soviet Union.
Overall, the abandoned love hotel offers a glimpse into a bygone era, showcasing a mix of nostalgia and intrigue for urban explorers like Luke.