A love hotel in Ikebukuro has partnered with a Chinese restaurant, with the result that the ground floor has an eatery and then accommodation for couples on the floors above.
The novel combo has attracted attention from netizens, both Japanese and foreign.
It makes sense, in some ways, since Ikebukuro is known for its population of Chinese migrants. Apparently, the whole building now has a Chinese owner, who decided to rent out the first floor.
Montana Hotel, which offers 70-minute stays for as little as ¥2,200, is located on the north side of the station area, which is home to several modestly sized hotels. The north of Ikebukuro Station is a well-known spot for sex workers (often Chinese) to pick up clients and these small hotels are there for a reason.
The Yummy Duck restaurant seems to be a branch of another restaurant in Komagome, serving Hong Kong duck, and opened in early September.
Given the theme of the cuisine and the purpose of the short-stay hotel, they surely missed a marketing trick by not calling it “Duck and Fuck” or something like that.
On the other hand, given that love hotels are all about discretion and typically have entrances that try to conceal guests arriving and leaving, patrons dining at a restaurant or lining up for their takeout is perhaps not a good idea for a hotel. That said, some Ikebukuro love hotels are right on or near the main street by the station, instead of tucked down an alley in clusters, so are generally less discreet than others. Let’s be frank, Ikebukuro is not a district known for discretion!
Off the top of our heads, we can’t think of a previous combo like this in Tokyo. Love hotels tend to be standalone buildings and, though they can be right next to other businesses, usually operate independently.
Most are located in clusters near major commercial areas, sometimes forming significant areas almost entirely filled with love hotels. The most famous in Tokyo are Dogenzaka in Shibuya, Kabukicho-Okubo in Shibujuku, Gotanda in Shinagawa, and Uguisudani in Ueno.
Being another big station with lots of shops and restaurants, Ikebukuro also has quite a few, most prominently on the westward side of the station.
In Osaka, most hotels are found in the Nipponbashi part of Namba, in the south of the city, or places like Kyobashi or Tennoji.
Outside urban areas, hotels are often found near highways and other major roads. Though some of hotels in cities are garish and themed, or have gimmicky facilities like special beds or water slides, the bizarre and architecturally adventurous features that have made love hotels famous are actually usually found out in the provinces or suburbs.
