While we delight in the dizzying array of lifestyle goods, gadgets, and toys that comes out of Japan on a daily basis, few actually make it to the point where they are popular not only among geeks (such as ourselves) but are adopted by other industries. Relaxation and ambient lighting are both strong trends in Japan, but hotels are now incorporating these ideas into specific packages and are now using the Homestar PRO planetarium from Sega to create bright and detailed 360 degree projections of 10,000 stars on the hotel room ceiling to create an atmosphere uncommon to hotel rooms. The video says it all…
From the beginning of 2007 the Piena Hotel in Kobe began offering the “Homestar Planetarium” which includes a Homestar planetarium as well as an aroma light as a relaxing way to spend your time with the lights off. From the romantic angle, the Hotel Granvia in Osaka offers a special package for Valentines Day and White Day (another lovers holiday) that includes the Homestar, a CD of healing music, chocolates, and an optional bottle of champagne. The Anda Tiva resort hotel in Shizuoka includes Homestars in the rooms as well as a telescope outside for guests to use!
Why the Homestar PRO hasn’t been incorporated into the entire love hotel industry is frankly a mystery to us, as it fits perfectly into their themes of romantic relaxation (and would look pretty cool reflecting off of the ceiling mirrors). The fact that they’re coming into mainstream hotels shows an attention to detail that might actually make the entire evening simply because it’s different and unexpected. We’ve come a long way from vibrating beds, that’s for sure.
The Homestar PRO is available HERE
Michael is the Editor of JapanTrends.com and Director of the 
