Types of Accommodation
Not only does Japan get lots of international visitors but the Japanese also love to travel. This has provided a huge market of accommodation types from traditonal Japanese inns to 5 star Hotels and everything in between.
Ryokan, Minshuku and Pensions
A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that were once the main place a traveller would stay at in Japan. Today the ryokan has changed very little in style but is more of a place where tourist go to get a real feel of living in a traditional Japanese home is like. Your room at a ryokan will feature a tatami mat, sliding shōji doors and a table with a tea set. Before bed your room will have futons laid out for you to sleep on. Ryokan’s generally feature communal bathing areas and a supplied Japanese breakfast and dinner. Ryokan’s today are popular near tourist regions like Kyoto, Nara and most hot springs.
A Minshuku is similar to a ryokan and could be compared to a Japanese version of a bed and breakfast that you would find in any other part of the world. Minshuku’s are possibly a bit cheaper than a ryokan as they wont be as fancy.
Pensions are similar to Minshuku but uses a western style room, the name comes from the French name for guest houses highlighting the more western style of the accommodation.
Business or Western Hotels
Most major Japanese cities have their share of western 5 star style hotels be it big international chains like Hilton or Sheraton to Japanese owned chains. On the other end of the scale is the business hotel, these hotels feature all the facilities of a western hotel with a fairly standard style motel room with private facilities, and a TV. The cheapest business hotels may not have a restaurant and bar but all will have vending machines selling anything from self heating snacks to beer. As the price of a business hotel goes up you will find more facilities like included breakfast and an English TV station. Generally most bathrooms will include shampoo, soap, a razor and toothbrush, while the room may feature robe’s, slippers, a bar fridge and a green tea set. If you need coffee to wake up you would be best to grab an instant coffee set from 7/11 that includes 4 cups, stirrers, coffee, sugar and whitener or better yet try a heated can of coffee from one of the many vending machines you find lining the streets.
Capsule Hotels
A rather unique Japanese invention where you basically sleep in a stacked capsule not much bigger than a coffin. Designed for the salaryman who missed the last train home, some establishments don’t like foreigner’s while most wont even allow woman.
Love Hotels
Another unique Japanese idea born out of the need for young couples to gain a bit of privacy from the family home, but also popular today with the sex industry. Rooms are let for a 3 hour “rest” or overnight “stay”. If you want to stay overnight you cant check in till after 10 or 11pm and once you leave the room you cant get back in. The reception process is generally made to be discrete while the hotel itself and its rooms will have some sort of crazy or romantic theme.
Internet or Manga Cafe
A recent addition to the Japan’s accommodation list is the internet or manga (comic-book) cafe. Because these establishments have expanded facilities to include showers, private booths and sometimes free soft drink they has become the refuge of some of the more frugal traveller or even the homeless. It’s probably not the best night sleep you could have but an all-night pack can set you back as little as 1000 yen making it cheaper than a capsule hotel.
