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On arrival in Japan, one of the first things you'll need to organize
is a place to stay. Of course, the best Tokyo hotels
are among the most expensive anywhere. But for the short-term
visitor there is something for every budget, with the sliding scale consisting roughly of: hotels,
ryokan (Japanese-style inn), pensions (B&B), minshuku
(family-run guest house), business hotels, capsule hotels and
youth hostels. We cover those below.
Our recommendation? In one of the world's most expensive cities,
Tokyo hostels provide accommodation
that won't leave you penniless for the rest of your trip.
Long-term visitors or those
planning to stay and work have two choices: gaijin houses (guest houses)
or renting.
Short-Term Accommodation
Hotels
Almost all western hotels belong to the Japan Hotel Association
and have high standards of service and facilities. Both Japanese
and foreign-owned hotel chains operate in the major cities. Prices
for a twin room range from reasonable (8,000 yen) to very expensive
(300,000 yen). Check-in and check-out are around 11am or noon. A service charge of 10
percent is added. The most famous hotels in Tokyo include the Keio
Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, the Hotel New Otani near Akasaka and the Imperial Hotel in
Hibiya. The Miyako Hotel in Kyoto is one of the most expensive in the country. Western
chains that operate in Japan's major cities include Hyatt, Hilton and
Ritz Carlton.
Business hotels
Basically budget hotels for travelling businessmen. Usually located
near major train stations, they provide cheap, no-frills accommodation.
Rooms are small and sparsely furnished and drinks and snacks are
usually available from vending machines. Rates are around 5,000
yen per person. Check-in is usually 3-4pm and check-out around 10-11am.
No service charge.
A large Japanese-style room |
A capsule hotel |
Capsule hotels
An experience unique to Japan is a night in a capsule hotel. These
hotels don't have rooms as such - guests literally sleep in capsules,
like bees in a hive. Each capsule has a TV, air-conditioning,
a telephone and a curtain rather than a door. Being slightly claustrophobic,
I expected this to be an unpleasant experience but actually found
it pretty comfortable, not to mention memeorable. Hotels have
communal bathing and lounge facilities, with vending machines
providing all the necessaries. The lack of privacy is probably
the reason why women don't seem to use capsulke hotels but, as
far as I know, there is no restriction. Often, signs outside announce
that people with tatoos are unwelcome - a measure to keep out
yakuza. Rates are around 5,000 yen per night. No service charge.
Pensions
The name is taken from the French and these Bed & Breakfast-style
lodgings are a recent feature in Japan. They can usually be found
near ski resorts or lakes and are often built in the style of
log houses or mountain lodges. Pensions provide a relaxed, family
atmosphere and rates are around 6,000 to 10,000 yen, including
two meals. While rooms are usually wester-style, bathrooms are
Japanese-style and the hot water is often fed from a natural
onsen (hot spring). Check-in and check-out are around 11am or noon.
No service charge.
Youth hostels
The 500 or so hostels in Japan are much as you would find
in other countries. They are the only accommodation available in
some remote areas. About 75 hostels are publicly run and open
to anyone. The rest require you to have a membership card from
your country's YHA or Japan Youth Hostels. You need to have a
regulation sleeping sheet and most places don't allow sleeping
bags. In some older hostels, you sleep on the tatami floor but
most have bunks. Many have family rooms or can accommodate families
except when very busy. Some youth hostels are run in o-tera
(Buddhist temples) and provide the right environment for the
ascetic traveller. Officious hostel staff can be found in any
country and Japan is no exception - strict curfews and the need
for advance bookings are not uncommon. Rates are between 1,500
and 2,500 yen per night for a shared room.
Japanese Style Accommodation
Ryokan
These inns usually have Japanese-style architecture and serve
Japanese food. Rooms have tatami (reed mats) floors, and
futons for bedding. Of the 90,000 or so ryokan in Japan, some 2,000
have western-style rooms for foreigners. Rates per person, including
two meals, vary from 5,000 up to 60,000 and are usually based
on two or more people sharing a room. Check-in is around 4pm and
check-out around 10am. Often rooms don't have keys so valuables
should be left at the front desk. A service charge of 15 percent
is usually added.
On entering the ryokan, guests take off their shoes and wear the
slippers provided, except on tatami floors. On arrival, a maid
will serve tea and maybe a light snack in the room. You should give
a tip of one or two thousand yen, in a white envelope or wrapped in white paper. The maid will
also lay out the futons in the evening, usually while guests are
bathing or eating dinner. A yukata (light cotton kimono) or
dotera (padded coat), depending on the season, is provided for comfort.
O-furo (bathrooms) are Japanese-style and often communal (but
separated by sex!).
Minshuku
A kind of family-run guest house, minshuku are private establishments
and don't have many of the services or amenities provided by ryokan
or hotels. Rates at the 25,000 or so minshuku average around 7,000
yen per person, including two meals. No service charge.
Related Pages: Long-term accommodation
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