It's business time: Japan's love hotels break the mood

When times are tough -- and we're talking financial here -- some have suggested shifting your money into liquor stores (owning, not spending) and the entertainment industry around cinemas, video games, DVDs and the like.

In Japan, which is experiencing its deepest recession since World War II, there is another stalwart industry -- the country's love hotels.

They've hardly missed a beat -- well at least that seems the PR spin -- and are attracting the eye of international investors. PR exaggeration, or hard facts? CNN's Morgan Neill went (solo) to find out more in the above video.

Indeed, the industry was once the preserve of "mom-and-pop" family owners, and of course, gangsters using the properties to launder money. Now though, the demand for outlandishly themed love hotels has waned. Sayonara, revolving beds and Graceland influences. Instead, love hotels -- or "fashion hotels" as they are also branded -- have become serious competition to Tokyo's five-star luxury giants.