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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 …… more
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.