Where to Stay

Your Japan trip ideas have been numbered down to select locations. Now the next question is, where should you stay? Finding the right accommodation is important for a good night’s rest, so you can continue your exploration at ease. Factors that come to mind will be location to nearby attractions, access to particular facilities, and most important of all, the cost. Although your biggest expense in Japan may be accommodation, finding one that suits your needs for a truly enjoyable vacation is worth it.

Japan offers various accommodation types and costs, from sleeping in a Western style bed to futons on tatami mat flooring. Listed below are the types of accommodation Japan offers with typical rates.

Let’s start with Japanese ryokans, an excellent way to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle in comfort. These Japanese-style inns feature futon beds, tatami mat flooring, paper sliding doors (shoji), and excellent hospitality. There are many types of ryokan, but most include a delicious breakfast and dinner. High class ryokans can offer rooms with a view and a private onsen bath. Rates range from 6,000 to 30,000 yen per person.

Another Japanese style accommodation is a minshuku. Minshuku are small, family-operated “bed and breakfast” lodgings that offer Japanese style rooms. They are typically found in countryside towns, near hot springs, ski resorts, mountainous areas, or by the sea. Minshuku usually include a home-style breakfast meal with basic in- room amenities. This is a great way to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and meet local families. Typical rates range from 4,000 to 10,000 yen per person.

Moving on to Western style hotels, many of these accommodations can be found throughout Japan. Western style accommodations include a variety of international and Japanese hotel chains, from luxurious to inexpensive ones. Hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Best Western, for example, are available for travelers in Japan. Western accommodations in Japan range from 8,000 to 50,000 yen per person.

If you are a traveler on a budget, try looking into a business hotel. Business hotels are offered in almost every city, and were originally used by locals for business trips. Today, they offer rooms to travelers on a budget. They are small, simple Western-style rooms that offer vending machines and basic amenities. Usually, business hotels are conveniently located nearby transportation stations. Rates are normally 5,000 to 10,000 yen per room.

Since this is Japan we are talking about, there are of course, unique lodgings visitors must try. Combining innovativeness with budget, Japan offers an accommodation known as capsule hotels. They are best known for business people or budget travelers looking for a one-night stay. Capsule hotels offer a private, enclosed room that typically include a single size futon mattress, TV/radio, and free wifi. Other facilities, such as showers and bathrooms, are shared among guests. Coin lockers are provided for your luggage, as well as vending machines and lounge rooms. Rates range from 3,000 to 4,000 yen person.

Although these accommodations are not aimed for tourists, Japan offers unique love hotels for couples to spend “quality” time together. Love hotels often have themed rooms and are equipped for their purpose. Couples may rent them for a short period of time during the day or stay overnight. Rooms can be rented by pressing a button and payed for at a little window with anonymous reception.

Lastly, tourists have the option to stay overnight in a temple lodging for a truly Zen experience. Temple lodgings typically include two vegetarian meals and the chance to join in morning prayers with Buddhist monks. They offer private, Japanese style rooms and often share washrooms, but few temples go beyond this standard and resemble mid-range ryokans. One of the best places to experience a temple lodging is at Mount Koya. Rates range from 3,000 to 10,000 yen per person and are often paid with cash.