Although the times are changing, and in the big cities things aren't much different from the big cities in any other country, most Japanese people live at home until they get married.  With paper thin walls, the Japanese have pretty much accepted the fact that privacy isn't something easily to be found within the house.  

The Japanese solution to the situation is the love hotel.  Looking much like a neon covered motel from home, these places may seem pretty shady to the average westerner but over here every town has at least one and everyone understands their purpose.  The rooms are usually rented for two or three hours at a time but the prolonged economic downturn has created some interesting marketing slogans such as "The quicker you are the cheaper it is!" or "The special 'try your best' hour!".  Two hours at a love hotel will run you about 30 to 50 bucks but it is possible to rent one for the whole night and that is often cheaper than renting a room at a "real" hotel.

The hotels themselves have various themes such as the space hotel or the jungle hotel or rip off Disney theme hotels.  But all of these places offer the same standard things:  a place to have some privacy with a big bed, a huge shower and bath, and other accessories such as "movies", karaoke and drinks/snacks.

Another interesting aspect of these places is the anonymity of the whole thing.  There is always a big curtain in front of the parking lot to prevent anyone such as mothers, girlfriends, or wives/husbands from seeing any of the cars parked inside.  Room selection is done by pressing buttons on an information board and lighting on the walls and floors guide the customers to the selected room.  Payment is accepted upon vacating the room at an automated cash accepting machine.  The whole process is completed without the need for the couple to interact with anyone.