Where to Stay, Ling? – Types of Japan Lodging

 

Minshuku / Pensions – Price per person ranges from JPY6,000 to JPY10,000 per night with halfboard

These are family run bed and breakfast found in smaller cities and countryside areas. Rooms for Minshuku tend to be Japanese style while Pensions usually have western style room. Both offer shared toilet/bathing facilities and often provide meal options. Some Minshuku still have old style toilets and baths.

Shared facilities are generally cleaner here as most of the guests are Japanese. Thus, more consideration in not messing up for others.

Ling! In some less populated locations, you really don’t have much lodging choice but to stay at a Minshuku or Pension. I like the local feel of the place and have stayed in some really nice Pensions too. I’m not a big fan of old style toilets and baths. Some of the home cooked meals at Minshuku/Pension were really good.

What I like:

• Simple home cooked meals
• Usually friendly hosts

What I don’t like:

• Sleeping on Japanese style futon beds (bad for backs)
• Old style toilet in a cramp space (some older Minshuku)

Payment: Upfront when you’re checking in

 

Holiday Homes – Price per person averages from JPY5,000 to JPY16,000 per night (average price goes down when there’s more people to share the cost)

Guests have the whole place to themselves and not share with other guests. A good place to stay and feel like a home away from home with living/dining area and a kitchen.

You’re unlikely to get a change of towels on daily basis. However, most of these holiday homes have washing machines, so you can easily wash and dry them if you need clean towels daily. Most have bathrooms that function as a clothes dryer.

Do ensure the owners have a business license to rent out their homes and some of them may require minimum days of stay. They also charge a cleaning fee, thus staying longer is a better deal.

Ling! Most of my holiday home stays are with my family. We like the home feel and have enough space and beds for everyone. We can make simple breakfast, instant noodles or a cup of coffee. Being able to do laundry means we have more shopping space in our luggage! I’ve tried once with my friends and they all enjoyed the holiday home stay very much too.

What I like:

• 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

What I don’t like:

• Shower and toilet usage may be an issue if the group is big!
• Stairs are hard to negotiate with luggage

Payment: Prepaid at booking time

 

Guest Houses – Price per person averages from JPY3,000 to JPY6,000 per night

These are regular homes, but guests stay in individual rooms with shared facilities. Bedrooms can be Japanese style or Western style. There’s a small kitchen where guests can make simple meals.

Do bring along a towel and personal toiletries as these are usually not be provided.

I didn’t take photos inside the guest house as the Owner and other guests were around.

Ling! My first time staying in a guest house turned out to be a really enjoyable one. The owner (who doesn’t stay at the guest house) and the other Japanese guests were very friendly and chatty. I connected very well with a Japanese couple and became friends with them. Not every stay will turn out like this. My original plan was just to eat my food and go hide in my room after. Glad I didn’t do that!

What I like:

• Getting to know fellow travellers over a meal in the common area

What I don’t like:

• Shared facilities (because some people are not very hygienic!)
• Thin walls

Payment: Prepaid at booking time or when you’re checking in

Next: Hostels/Dormitories / Capsules/Cubicles / Cabins/Quirky Lodging

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