Types of Places to Stay in Japan

here are many kinds of places one can lay one’s head in Japan. If you are here on business or vacation, on a budget, and not really interested in some of the more hardcore super-cheap options (like staying in a capsule hotel, private movie viewing theater, or internet cafe), you have several options to choose from.

• The business hotel.
• The quality hotel.
• The “pension”.
• The ryokan or traditional style hotel.
• The hostel.
• The hot spring.

A very basic way to think of it is if you are this blog looking for cheap travel tips for business travel, or if you and your companions don’t mind close quarters and only basic service and amenities, then a business hotel is probably for you. This is especially true if you don’t mind a clerk who can only speak basic English.

If you want a little pampering, a bigger room, and some clerks who speak English relatively well, then a quality hotel might be fine. You’ll pay a little more, but there are often some good deals in the business hotel price range, but you’ll feel like you’re getting some quality treatment.

The “pension” (penshon) is the Japanese equivalent to a bed and breakfast. It is usually a guest room, guest wing, or guest house owned by a family. If you are the social type and wouldn’t mind sharing a bathroom with the family that owns the establishment and other guests, then this might be a good option for you. They are generally inexpensive, around the cost of a business hotel or even less sometimes, and the family will be a good source of information about the area. They are often found near beaches and ski resorts, so if you are skiing, surfing, or diving you may find something good. There are also cottages (kotteeji) which are often listed with pensions but will be separate guest houses. They are especially good if you are travelling with a big group. Some cottages may be log houses in camping areas ‘usually with air conditioning, heating, and kitchens). You might want to be sure to take a look at the cottage, and its location before making reservations.

The ryokan is a great place to stay if you want a very Japanese experience. You’ll probably have a futon and some comforters (both are referred to as futons in Japanese), and a tatami room to sleep in. There is often some kind of simple breakfast available. If it’s a very traditional place (I stayed in a great one in Shizuoka once), you will get the very traditional Japanese breakfast of broiled fish, rice, raw egg, some “nori” seaweed, and maybe a little bit of fruit. This is good for groups that wouldn’t mind sharing a four person tatami room, and for people that don’t mind a communal bath, as often ryokans do not have showers or baths in each room. (Note that people in Japan generally don’t take baths or showers in the morning so Westerners tend to get the bath to themselves in the morning.)

There are plenty of youth hostels in Japan, they are just like youth hostels in other countries, but keep in mind the crime rate is low here and even lower against vacationers. There is one in Kobe Japan that is quite near the beach, and I’ve heard some of the best looking hostels are in Japan. To be honest, I’ve never stayed in one but have heard good things second hand. Also keep in mind, although they are commonly called “youth hostels” they are for people of all ages.

Lastly, but far from least is the hot spring “resort”. I use the term “resort” in quotes because it may bring up images of an exclusive walled off paradise. Actually, it’s often hard to tell a real hot spring resort from a normal hotel except that it might be in a quieter part of the town (or prefecture) and look very classically Japanese. If you come to Japan, even for cheap travel or business, I urge you to spend some of the entertainment cash on this experience. It may even come with a nice Japanese dinner brought to your room. If you are coming as a couple, this can be really nice. If you are on business, there are certainly worse ways to spend your evening than soaking in a natural hot spring.

There are other ways to spend the night in Japan and I’ll try to cover them all. These are the options that I think are viable options for business travellers.