tower; tall building; belvedere
Often used as a suffix in building names, e.g., 展望楼 (observation tower). Can refer to any tall, multi-storied structure.
城の楼から町を見下ろした。
I looked down at the town from the castle tower.
このホテルには展望楼がある。
This hotel has an observation tower.
Specifically a tower used for observation or defense, such as a castle turret or a watchtower.
Archaic euphemism for a brothel, derived from the multi-storied structure of such establishments in the Edo period.
He climbed up the observation tower and looked out at the view.
The fire lookout tower bell rang to alert of a fire.
In the Edo period, many brothels lined the streets of Yoshiwara.
The king built a tall tower atop the castle.
櫓 specifically denotes a wooden, often temporary watchtower or turret, whereas 楼 can refer to a more permanent stone or brick tower-like structure.
楼 (a tower or turret) and 廊 (a corridor or hallway) share the same reading ろう and a similar-looking radical, but refer to completely different architectural features.
skyscraper
mirage
multistoried building; tower; palace; shrine
bell tower; belfry
two-storied gate; tower gate
wooden watchtower; battlefield watchtower
tulou; Fujian earthen building
castle watchtower
tall building; tower
Standard modern kanji form.
Outdated kanji form; not used in modern Japanese.
From Middle Chinese 樓 (ləu). The character originally depicted a multi-storied building. The archaic 'brothel' sense developed in Japanese from the association with tall, ornate buildings in pleasure quarters.
brothel
brothel
tall building; multi-storey building
watchtower; observation tower; lookout
upper floor; top of a tall building; balcony
owner of a brothel or restaurant