Japan Travel Guide

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Hotels

Hotels are 'Western' or 'Japanese' style, or a mix of both. Western-style accommodation is much like any modern US or European hotel, often with an excellent level of service. No-frills business hotel chains such as Toyoko Inn have become very popular; you'll find them in convenient locations in most cities and towns.

At Japanese-style hotels (ryokan), guests receive kimonos and slippers and rooms have Japanese straw mat flooring (tatami) and fold-away futon beds; there may also be paper sliding doors. Prices for ryokan range from reasonable for basic inns with shared baths to expensive for the most exclusive ones where rates will invariably include lavish breakfast and dinner meals.

Most top-end hotels levy a service charge of 10 to 15% on the bill. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also enforces a small accommodation tax of ¥100 per night on hotels and ryokan around the city that charge over ¥10,000 per room (¥200 per night if the room costs over ¥15,000).

Grading: No accommodation grading system operates in Japan.

Bed and Breakfast

Minshuku, often found in vacation spots, are the Japanese equivalent of home-style lodging or pensions. Rates are moderate, and visitors receive fewer amenities than ryokan or Western-style hotels. Visitors are expected to fold up their bedding and stow it away in a closet, and towels are usually not provided. Slippers are worn in the house. Small gifts or a 5% tip may be given with the bill. The price usually includes two meals per day.

Youth Hostels

There are over 300 youth hostels throughout Japan. Many require visitors to be a member of Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com), although a guest card can be bought in advance at the Tokyo National Headquarters.

Unique Accommodation

Some temples offer temple lodging (shukubo). Guests may have to join in the routines of the monks (getting up early, chanting, doing chores etc) and facilities may be basic. The Japan National Tourism Organization - JNTO (tel: (03) 3201 3331; www.jnto.go.jp) can provide a list.

Accommodation Information

Japan Ryokan Association
Website: www.ryokan.or.jp

Japan Hotel Association
Shin Otemachi Building, 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Tel: (03) 3279 2706.
Website: www.j-hotel.or.jp

Japan Hotel Network
Hokujo 2587-1, Hakuba Mura, Kita Azumi Gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-9301 Japan
Tel: (02) 6175 5360.
Website: www.japanhotel.net

Tokyu Hotel Chain Co Ltd
10-3 Nagata-Cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan
Tel: (03) 3462 0109.
Website: www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com

Japan Youth Hostels Inc
Kanda Amerex Building 9F, 3-1-16 Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Tel: (03) 3288 1417.
Website: www.jyh.or.jp