Hotels & Resorts

Japan

Hotels, Resorts, Lodges & Guesthouses

Japan's finest hotels have all the facilities and amenities that you would rightfully expect at any world-class hotel. These top-end hotels cater to visiting corporate executives and other overseas guests who can afford deluxe or first-class accommodations. Services provided by English-speaking staff people include 'executive salon' secretarial services and access to computers and facsimile transmission equipment. The restaurants in these hotels are counted among the finest in the major cities, with a variety of cuisines to choose from. From shopping malls and cocktail lounges to room service and interpreter service, these hotels can offer virtually everything the guest could want or need. Most of them provide direct limousine bus connections to the nearest international airports. A double or twin room at a deluxe hotel will cost an average 30,000 yen per night, and around 20,000 yen at a first-class hotel. All member hotels of the Japan Hotel Association maintain consistently high standards of service and facilities.

Japanese Style Business Hotels
A somewhat less expensive accommodation favored by many Japanese business travelers is the business hotel. As a rule, they are smaller hotels with fewer amenities, including no room service. Vending machines dispensing snacks and drinks are installed on guest room floors. There is usually one restaurant on the premises, and the hotel's location is conveniently close to a railway station. Reception clerks and other staff people do not usually speak English, but the procedure for check-in and checkout is much like elsewhere. Since these hotels are patronized mainly by businessmen, the rooms are singles with bath. The room charge is 5,500 yen to 10,000 yen on average. Pensions
Modeled on their French namesakes, these establishments feature a homelike atmosphere and hearty food and are found at popular resort areas throughout Japan. The typical pension has ten or so western-style rooms and is managed by a family. Average room rates are from 8,000 yen to 9,000 yen, including two meals. Pensions can be an ideal choice of accommodation if you like indoors comfort as well as an array of outdoor recreational options Ryokan (Japanese Style Guesthouse)
The traditional Japanese inn is a unique experience if you would like to find out how traveling feudal lords were accommodated in older times. Each guestroom is large, simple in design, and floored with tatami straw matting. The doors are sliding fusuma screens and the furniture is limited to one low table, unless there is a window alcove or veranda that has a small table and a pair of chairs. The walls are modestly adorned with ink-brush scrolls. Bedding is stored in a deep closet until the room maid lays it out on the floor after dinner. Bathing is sometimes communal, but with separate baths for men and women. The baths in the inns at hot-spring resorts are especially enjoyable. A hearty dinner and light breakfast, served by the maid in the room, are included in the room rate. Over 2,000 quality inns are members of the Japan Ryokan Association. Room rates per guest per night can range from 15,000 yen to 40,000 yen, not including tax and service charge. Whether modest or deluxe, however, the Japanese ryokan is a great way to experience the traditional customs, manners and lifestyles of the Japanese people. Minshuku
An even more intimate experience of Japanese home life comes with the very modest overnight charge at a small family inn operated by one family in their own home. Rates are moderate from 6,500 yen to 9,000 yen with two meals, served family-style. There is no maid service, however, and guests are expected to fold up and stow away their bedding in the morning. People's Lodges (Kokumin Shukusha) These very reasonable (about 6,500 yen per night) lodgings are found in popular resorts and national parks. The rate includes two meals. Guest rooms, baths and toilets are Japanese-style. If you need to be budget-minded while intent on outdoor recreation, these lodges will keep you comfortable at Japan's grandest scenic attractions. Getting Acquainted with the Japanese Style Guests are obliged to remove their shoes at the entrance of any Japanese-style accommodation. Slippers are worn inside, except on the tatami matting, so bring thick socks if the weather is cold. Seating in the room is on cushions called zabuton arranged around the low table. In the winter season, there may be a blanket around the table. You slip your feet under the blanket for the warmth of a kotatsu electrical heating unit. The futon bedding is laid out on the floor. It ordinarily consists of a mattress, sheets, thick coverlet, and extra blankets if needed. A thin yukata robe is provided. In cold weather it is supplemented by a tanzen gown worn over it. The toilet is usually Japanese-style. You don't sit on it but squat over it, facing the hooded end. Special slippers are usually provided for use only in the toilet cubicle. Before going into the communal bath, you disrobe in an anteroom, placing your robe and underclothing in a basket or shelf compartment. The inn gives you a hand-towel to drape over your midriff while standing up in the both room. This towel is also used for scrubbing and drying. To take a bath, first sit on a low stool in front of a pair of hot/cold water faucets. Fill a bath pan with water, and pour it over your body to get soaking wet all over. If there are no faucets, use a bath pan to scoop water from the bath. If shower outlets are available, shower while seated on the stool, never standing up. Soap and rinse off thoroughly. Only then do you get into the bath for a good soak. Tax and Service Charges If the total charge for accommodation, food and beverage, and other services per person per night is 15,000 yen or less, a 5 percent tax is imposed. If over 15,000 yen, an 8 percent tax is added. At the best hotels, a 10 to 15 percent service charge is added to the bill in lieu of tipping. At the Japanese inns, with individualized maid service, there is usually a 10 to 20 percent service charge. No service charges are imposed at business hotels, pension, minshuku and youth hostels. We offer the hotels in the following pass systems: Japan Hotel Pass Japan Ryokan Pass Avoid Peak Travel Season
Try to avoid traveling during the periods listed below since these is a mass exodus first from the city to the country and then in the opposite direction. Practically all long-distance trains, ferries, airlines and also lodgings will be tightly booked. If you cannot adjust their schedule, try to book well in advance. Year-end and during the New Year holiday season - December 27 to January 4 and adjacent weekends "Golden Week" holiday season - April 29 to May 5 and adjacent weekends "Bon" festival season - A week centering around August 15 The very common warning applies to all types of accommodations in Japan: make your reservation as far in advance as possible. Reservation of accommodations in major tourist spots is strongly recommended also for weekends and around any national holidays.