Where to Stay, Ling? – Types of Japan Lodging
13 September 2020
Hotels, Onsen Ryokans, Minshuku, Hostels or Holiday Homes? There are many types of Japan lodging, which one to choose?
Here’s a quick view of what I like or don’t like about each lodging category. Read on for more information or click on specific categories so you can pick the right stay for yourselves.
Erm.. yes, shared facilities hygiene is one of my pet peeves. Find out how I deal with it at Japan Lodging Tips, Ling?
Note: Price ranges, indicated per person (pax) or per room, are averages at point of post based on what I’ve paid for my stays and seen during my searches. Within each category, there is also a spectrum of establishment class. This together with number of guests, location and day of stay have impact on prices.
| Category / Average Price Range | What I like | What I don't like | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy / Business Hotels JPY6,000 to JPY16,000 /pax/night | - No frills and meets my basic needs of having a clean place to stay since I'm out sightseeing most of the time - If there's need for a nicer bigger room, just go for the higher end Business Hotel - There's usually a coin laundry available - Most of them also allow you to leave your luggage with them before or after you check out | - Some rooms can be really tiny and the only place to open up the luggage is at the doorway outside the bathroom - Easy to get bruises from knocking into furniture - Can be a tight squeeze for 2 | At check-in |
| ApartHotels / Service Apartments JPY5,000 to JPY20,000 /room/night | - Being able to make meals and do laundry - Good size refrigerator to keep food and drinks - Microwave for heating food - Bathroom functions as a clothes dryer - Cost effective for longer stays | - Cooking smells permeating into bedroom area - No proper dining table - Eating meals on bed | At check-in |
| Premium Hotels JPY10,000 to JPY26,000 /room/night | - Bigger room and bathroom - Nicer and newer amenities compared to Business Hotels - Pocket friendly compared to Luxurious Hotels - Good space for 2 pax with luggage | - Nothing much | At check-out |
| Luxury Hotels JPY30,000 to over JPY100,000 /room/night | - Big rooms with plenty of personal space - 5 Star treatment and services - Don't have to drag my luggage to the room - Use of concierge services - Usually have direct limo bus to airport | - Nothing much - When you book one of these, you're already prepared to spend | At check-out |
| Ryokans JPY14,000 to over JPY50,000 with halfboard /pax/night | - Onsen! - Halfboard - Kaiseki dinner | - Sleeping on Japanese style futon beds (bad for backs) - Food smell when they serve Kaiseki in room | At check-out |
| Onsen Hotels JPY14,000 to over JPY40,000 with halfboard /pax/night | - Onsen! - Halfboard - Kaiseki dinner | - Sleeping on Japanese style futon beds (bad for backs) - Food smell when they serve Kaiseki in room - The crowd as they are usually big hotels | At check-out |
| Minshuku / Pensions JPY6,000 to JPY10,000 with halfboard /pax/night | - Simple home cooked meals - Usually friendly hosts | - Sleeping on Japanese style futon beds (bad for backs) - Old style toilet in a cramp space (some older Minshuku) | At check-in |
| Holiday Homes JPY5,000 to JPY16,000 /pax/night | - Whole place to ourselves and no outsiders - Being able to make meals and do laundry - Good size refrigerator to keep food and drinks - Microwave for heating food - Separate bath and toilet areas - Bathroom functions as a clothes dryer - Cost effective for longer stays and bigger group | - Shower and toilet usage may be an issue if the group is big! - Stairs are hard to negotiate with luggage | At booking |
| Guest Houses JPY3,000 to JPY6,000 /pax/night | - Getting to know fellow travellers over a meal in the common area | - Shared facilities (some people are not very hygienic!) - Thin walls | At booking or at check-in |
| Hostels / Dormitories JPY2,500 to JPY6,000 /pax/night | - Low price for a night's stay - Private rooms provide some privacy - Good for single traveller or when on a budget | - Shared facilities (some people are not very hygienic!) - Some guests are noisy and inconsiderate - Not much privacy at dormitory area - Can be noisy | At check-in |
| Capsules / Cubicles JPY4,000 to JPY6,000 /pax/night | - Cubicles are not so claustrophobic! - Privacy in your own cubicle - Low price for a night's stay especially in cities - Good for single traveller or when on a budget | - Climbing over the bed to get in and out - Shared facilities (some people are not very hygienic!) - Some guests are noisy and inconsiderate - Not sound proof | At check-in |
| Cabins / Quirky Lodging JPY2,500 to JPY8,000 /pax/night | - Close to nature - Peaceful and quiet - Great for stargazing on a clear night | - Gas heater smell in the room - In summer, may have lots of insects | At check-in |
| Manga / Internet Cafés JPY3,000 /pax/night, hourly rates from JPY200 | I have not tried this option, so can’t share any personal experience | - | At check-in |
| Love Hotels JPY8,000 onwards /room/night | Can’t tell you much about them as I’ve not stay in this hotel category | - | Likely at check-in |
Next: Economy/Business Hotels / Aparthotels/Service Apartments / Premium Hotels
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