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Japan has a huge variety of accommodation options that you won’t find anywhere else—from tiny capsule hotels to luxury onsen resorts.
If you are on a budget, finding the cheapest Japan accommodation will be a priority, but I recommend spending a bit extra and staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) at least once.
Sleeping on a futon in a tatami mat room is a quintessential Japanese experience and it’d be a shame to miss out.
We have travelled around the country five times and tried a wide range of accommodation of all budget levels.
In this post, I explain the different types of accommodation in Japan and share our picks for the best places to stay in Japan.
At the end, you’ll find a map with all these options of where to stay in Japan.
Contents
- Japan Accommodation Tips
- Hostel
- Business Hotel
- Western Hotel
- Ryokan
- Minshuku
- Temple (Shukubo)
- Apartment
- Love Hotel
- Capsule Hotel
- Manga Kissa Internet Cafe
- Map of Best Places to Stay in Japan
- Summary
- More Japan Tips
Japan Accommodation Tips
- Be prepared for small rooms and pack light as luggage storage space is limited.
- It’s best to reserve accommodation in advance. I recommend booking 3-6 months ahead for special places like ryokans or for peak seasons. Hotel dates aren’t always released before then.
- We use Booking.com to find hotels and ryokans in Japan and most have free cancellation.
- Check in times are usually inflexible, but most hotels will store luggage for you.
Hostel
You might assume that hostels are the cheapest places to stay in Japan, but we usually find business hotels to be cheaper for couples (see below).
There are some benefits to staying in hostels, though. There are usually better facilities including a kitchen (which can save you money eating out), common area to relax and socialise in, WiFi, computers, bike hire, and laundry.
The staff is more likely to speak English (which isn’t always spoken elsewhere) and be able to help you with information on the local area.
If you are travelling alone, dorm beds are one of your cheapest options in Japan, and hostels are the best places to meet other travellers.
On our first Japan trip, we stayed at K’s House Hostel Hiroshima (temporarily closed) and, although the room was small (most are in Japan), it was clean, comfortable, and had a private bathroom well equipped with towels, shampoo, and soap.
The kitchen was immaculate and well-stocked, and the staff were welcoming. We loved the map they provided with details of restaurants in the area—we found a great little okonomiyaki place this way.
You can’t go wrong with K’s House hostels in Japan—you can stay with them in Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama, Hakone (complete with onsen!), Kawaguchiko (with Mt Fuji view), Ito Onsen (in a historic building) and many other places around the country.
We’ve also heard good things about the J-Hoppers hostel chain.
Cost: Beds in dorm rooms range from 3000 – 4000 yen (US$20-27). A private double ensuite is around 9000 – 11,000 yen ($60-75) per room.
Recommended For: Budget travellers, especially if you are travelling alone or want to self-cater.
Business Hotel
We’ve found the cheapest ensuite double rooms in cities by booking business hotels online on Booking.com.
These generally differ from western style hotels (see below) with smaller rooms and fewer facilities.
Rooms are small but clean, usually have WiFi, and as they are aimed at businessmen who might have missed the last train home, come equipped with everything you might need: towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, comb, robe.
They always have a private bathroom, desk, fridge, and kettle.
Some business hotels we’ve stayed in have laundry facilities, free breakfast, and even an onsen bath.
Business hotels don’t have much charm or character, and the staff may not speak much English (although this is becoming more common), but they are a good budget option for a few nights.
They are often in convenient locations close to train stations, which makes things much easier when you are travelling around the country at a fast pace with a rail pass.
This is especially true for the Granvia chain whose hotels are attached to train stations. We stayed in the Hotel Granvia Okayama and it couldn’t have been more convenient for the day trips from Okayama we did (including to Naoshima art island and Himeji Castle).
There are also Granvia hotels at the JR stations in Kyoto and Osaka which are ideal if you’ll only be spending a night or two or are planning to take lots of day trips.
Some other business hotels we’ve stayed in include:
- Dormy Inn Mishima – You’ll find this chain throughout Japan and we recommend it for the above average facilities including onsens, free laundry, free noodles in the evening, and free coffee in reception. The one in Mishima was a good stopover on the way to Kawaguchiko and there are even Mt Fuji views from some rooms. There are also Dormy Inns in Shibuya Tokyo and many other places.
- Hotel MyStays Maihama – Another decent chain. This one is a good cheap option close to Tokyo Disney.
- Super Hotel Hida Takayama – Tiny room but there’s a free breakfast and onsen, and it’s close to the train station.
Cost: Prices vary but we’ve paid from 8000 – 20,000 yen ($54-134) per room by booking online on Booking.com.
Recommended For: Couples on a budget and solo travellers who want more privacy than a hostel.
Travel tip: Don’t forget to buy your Japan Rail Pass before you get to Japan, but first work out whether it will save you money for your itinerary. Read my post on whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for everything you need to know.
Western Hotel
Western hotels in Japan include chains like Hilton and Sheraton as well as local brands.
Rooms may be small, like in business hotels, but larger options are usually available too. These are your best bet for finding king sized beds (rare in Japan).
Reception staff are more likely to speak English, and they may have more facilities like restaurants, room service, a gym, and a swimming pool (although there’s often an extra charge for this).
One of our favourite hotels in this category is the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima. After a few weeks travelling Japan we so appreciated the huge room and King bed. It’s only a two-minute walk from the station too, which was ideal for our one night stay on the way to Miyajima Island.
We also really like Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Rooms are bigger than most, it’s close to the station, and the Panoramic King room has incredible views. Decor is a bit dated, though.
In Kyoto, we stayed in some excellent Western-style hotels with Japanese design including Sora Niwa Terrace and Hotel The Celestine Gion. See our guide to where to stay in Kyoto for reviews.
Our favourite hotel in all Japan is the Hotel Miracosta, which is located inside the Tokyo DisneySea theme park. Our room had an amazing view of the park (including Harbor show) and you can’t beat the convenience. It’s pricey and sells out fast, though. See our Tokyo DisneySea guide.
Cost: Prices vary widely, but we’ve paid from 33,000 – 50,000 yen ($220-334) per room.
Recommended For: Mid-range to luxury travellers looking for more space and Western-style comfort.
Ryokan
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. When you are planning where to stay in Japan I highly recommend adding a ryokan to your itinerary.
They are more expensive than standard hotel rooms but are worth trying at least once for a unique experience—they are my pick for one of the top things to do in Japan.
You’ll sleep in a tatami mat room on a futon – a stack of thin mattresses that are put away during the day leaving a minimalist space. As we don’t find them super comfortable, we limit our ryokan stays to one or two nights.
The main piece of furniture is a low table where you sit on cushions to drink green tea (served on arrival) and sometimes eat your meals. Some have Western-style chairs too.
The most traditional inns are made from wood with sliding paper doors and views of elegant gardens.
A modern ryokan is more affordable and looks like a normal hotel from the outside but with tatami mat rooms. Modern ryokans are more likely to have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, and other modern conveniences.
A yukata (cotton kimono) is provided and you can change into this as soon as you arrive for maximum comfort and wear it around the inn. In onsen towns like Kinosaki Onsen, you can even wear them around town as you tour the different baths.
You usually take off your shoes on arrival and change into provided slippers. No shoes are allowed on tatami mats.
Check-in times are usually inflexible at ryokans (but you can leave luggage) as you’ll be greeted on arrival, shown around, given tea in your room, and asked for your preferred times for dinner, breakfast, and private onsen (if there is one).
Our Ryokan Picks
We have stayed in and recommend these ryokans in Japan.
Morizuya Ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen
Run by a super-friendly family, Morizuya is a great place for your first onsen town experience. There are two baths in the hotel that can be booked for private use (ideal for couples and families) and you’ll get a free pass for the other seven onsens in town.
The food at Morizuya is fantastic and they catered well for us vegetarians.
See my Kinosaki Onsen guide for onsen etiquette tips (and how to get over your public nudity fears) and a more detailed review of the ryokan.
It’s one of the more affordable ryokans. Check the prices of Morizuya Ryokan here.
Tsukihitei Ryokan in Nara
My overall favourite ryokan in Japan is Tsukihitei, a traditional ryokan in a secluded location yet walkable to Nara’s famous temples.
It has a magical forest setting and wooden walkways through the mossy gardens connect the various buildings including just three rooms (each with a private dining room!) and indoor onsens that can be privately booked.
Our 9-course dinner was superb and beautifully presented with an autumn theme.
Tsukihitei is pricey but worth it for a splurge. Check prices for Tsukihitei here.
Iwaso on Miyajima Island
I’m so happy we decided to stay overnight on Miyajima Island rather than visit as a day trip from Hiroshima. We loved exploring after dark and early in the morning when the crowds had left.
Iwaso was the ideal base. This historic ryokan has a serene setting in the forest but is only a short walk from the iconic torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine and from the cable car.
The indoor and outdoor onsens were lovely and dinner in the dining room was a culinary adventure.
Again, this is an expensive ryokan (although less so than Tsukihitei), but it’s worth it for a night. Check prices for Iwaso here.
Ryokan Yachiyo in Kyoto
While I recommend staying in a ryokan in more rural locations, Ryokan Yachiyo in Kyoto is a good option if you want a city ryokan.
The suite here is the most beautiful room we’ve experienced in Japan. It’s huge with various seating areas, garden views, and best of all—a private onsen. Autumn was especially gorgeous (but pricey).
See my guide to where to stay in Kyoto for a full review.
Kawaguchiko Lakeside Hotel at Lake Kawaguchiko
If you have your heart set on seeing Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko is the best place to do so.
Kawaguchiko Lakeside Hotel is a large, modern, and friendly ryokan in a great location near the bridge that crosses Lake Kawaguchiko.
The rooms are not very traditional, but our budget room was spacious (with a separate bedroom and living room) and some have Mt Fuji views (or just step outside and you can see it on clear days!).
It’s an affordable option for exploring the lake and seeing the iconic mountain, but it won’t give you a typical ryokan experience (dinner isn’t included, for example).
Check the latest prices of Kawaguchiko Lakeside Hotel here.
Ryokan Baths
Many ryokan rooms don’t have private bathrooms, and even if they do, Japanese style communal bathing is part of the experience, especially in towns famous for its onsens (hot spring baths).
There are separate male and female bathrooms, sometimes with set bathing times. You leave your clothes in a basket in the changing room and walk naked into the shower area with just a tiny face towel. Here you sit on one of the low stools in front of a shower and wash (very important) before getting into the large hot bath to relax.
The idea of taking a bath naked with strangers freaked me out the first time, and I may have hidden in the toilet while I worked up the nerve to take my clothes off!
But honestly, once I did, it felt totally normal and I’m glad I got over my fears. Soaking in the hot bath was so relaxing and I felt blissed out during our whole ryokan stay. I’ve gone on to try many onsens since and they are a highlight of Japan.
If you really don’t want to do the communal thing, look for ryokans that allow you to reserve a time slot for a private bath (like Morizuya above).
Some expensive ryokans have private baths in the rooms like Ryokan Yachiyo in Kyoto, which is such a treat (I had three baths during a one-night stay!).
I really wanted to stay at Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konsanso where some rooms have private onsens on the balconies with Mount Fuji views (see top photo), but it was already booked up when we visited.
Food at Ryokans
Ryokan meals are a highlight. Dinner and breakfast are usually provided and this is part of the reason the room price is high. Trust me, it’s worth it.
In your room or a public dining area, you’ll be served multi-course kaiseki, a traditional Japanese gourmet feast. Even breakfast is an adventure featuring rice, miso soup, fish, pickles, and seaweed.
Many ryokans allow you to request special meals for dietary requirements in advance and are a fantastic option for vegetarians in Japan. All the ryokans above made us superb veggie feasts (just check when you book).
Booking a Ryokan
Booking in advance is essential. The easiest way to find a ryokan is on Booking.com —just choose “ryokan” as a property type in the filters list. You can also select “breakfast & dinner included”, “hot spring bath” or “open-air bath”.
On our first trip we used Japanese Guest Houses which has a comprehensive list of ryokans in Japan. They will book them for you, but you must make an enquiry first and can’t see current availability. For this reason we now find Booking.com easier.
Cost: From 50,000 yen ($331) per night for two people (including dinner and breakfast) up to thousands of dollars a night for the best ryokans.
Recommended For: Everyone who would like to experience traditional Japan and can afford it.
Minshuku
A minshuku is a more basic, family-run version of a ryokan. They are smaller with a homely atmosphere.
In 2011 we stayed at Minshuku Shimosagaya in the small traditional village of Tsumago in the Kiso Valley, which we think is one of the best places to visit in Japan.
Our room was smaller and simpler than at our ryokan, there was no ensuite or hot spring bath, and meals weren’t served in our room. It’s a good option if you can’t afford a ryokan, but the experience didn’t feel as relaxing and special.
If you can’t afford a ryokan or minshuku, many hostels offer tatami mat rooms for the same price as Western-style rooms so you can get a taste of the traditional experience on a budget. K’s House Ito Onsen on the Izu Peninsula is highly rated.
Cost: Our minshuku in Tsumago cost 17,430 yen ($115) for us both with meals.
Recommended For: People who’d like to experience traditional Japan but don’t have the budget for a ryokan.
Temple (Shukubo)
For a unique Japan accommodation experience, you can stay in a Japanese Buddhist temple.
The room style in shukubo (temple lodging) is similar to a ryokan—you’ll sleep on futons in tatami rooms, share communal baths, and eat multi-course feasts for dinner and breakfast.
The difference is you’ll be served shojin ryori vegan meals and you’ll be encouraged to participate in the early morning chanting and meditation ceremony with the monks.
You can find temple lodgings in Kyoto temples and in Koya-san, a pretty temple village up in the mountains a few hours outside of Osaka.
We stayed in the cheapest temple in Koya-san, Haryo-in, which is no longer available. It was quite basic and the temple more modern than attractive, so I recommend splurging on one of the other temples like 1000-year-old Eko-in.
You can book temple stays on Booking.com (where they are listed under ryokans) or Japanese Guest Houses.
Cost: Budget temples in Koya-san cost from 24,000 yen ($160) for two people including meals. Eko-in costs from 38,000 yen ($253) per couple.
Recommended For: Anyone looking for an interesting Japanese experience (especially vegetarians).
Apartment
We sometimes rent apartments when we’re staying for a week or more in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
They are often cheaper than a hotel room and are more spacious and well-equipped, often with a washing machine and a kitchen to save money on eating out.
We think Shinjuku is the best area to stay in Tokyo. We like to rent an apartment near Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens which is fairly quiet but walkable to the major train station.
In this area the apartments tend to be tiny though (studios). You can search for apartments in Shinjuku here.
If you are on a tight budget, you can find some fantastic deals if you stay a little further from the popular areas.
On our first trip to Tokyo, we found an affordable apartment in the Nishi Ogikubo suburb. It was a train ride into the city, but we enjoyed exploring a quieter, untouristy neighbourhood and had a lot more space than we did in Shinjuku or Shibuya.
On a more recent trip, we rented a two-bedroom Airbnb in Shimikotazawa, a cool neighbourhood just a few stops from Shibuya. It’s located in the heart of the action, but that did mean it was noisy with the nearby live music venues at night.
Search for apartments in Japan on Vrbo.
You can also find apartments on Booking.com by ticking the “Apartment” box in the filter list.
Our Kyoto accommodation guide has details of the latest Airbnb we stayed in there (a converted machiya/ traditional townhouse).
Cost: For apartments in Tokyo, we’ve paid from 10,000 yen ($67) – 22,000 yen ($146) per night. There are usually discounts if you stay for 7 days or longer.
Recommended For: Families and couples staying in major cities for a week or more.
Love Hotel
Yep, you’ve guessed it from the name – Love Hotels are aimed at Japanese couples looking for some privacy. They are common in big cities and aren’t as sleazy as you’d expect. Often the quality of the rooms is great for the price and you can enjoy the fun room themes!
You can recognise Love Hotels by their garish décor and signs outside giving prices for Rest (a few hours) or Stay (overnight, usually from 9 or 10 pm). Most aren’t available to book online.
We haven’t stayed in one ourselves, but I’ve heard they are a good option, especially if you are arriving late in a city and don’t have pre-booked accommodation.
Read more about love hotels in Japan.
Cost: An overnight stay typically costs from 10,000 – 20,000 yen ($66 – 133).
Recommended For: Couples on a budget, especially if arriving late at night.
Capsule Hotel
Capsule hotels are aimed at businessmen who missed the last train home. Rooms or sleeping pods are tiny, not much bigger than a coffin, and come with a TV, light, and alarm.
Bathrooms are shared and luggage is stored in lockers. Most capsule hotels only allow men so we haven’t tried one, but it would be a quirky (if uncomfortable) place to spend a night.
Read more about capsule hotels in Japan.
Cost: 3000 to 5000 yen ($20-33) per night.
Recommended For: Single guys on a budget for one night stays.
Manga Kissa Internet Cafe
A manga kissa is a manga café where young Japanese hang out to read comics and use the internet. There are usually video games, cheap food, lockers, and showers.
Private cubicles can be rented with a computer and comfortable, reclinable chair, so many people stay in them overnight, especially if they missed the train home. Tokyo Cheapo has a guide to manga kissa.
Cost: 1500 – 3000 yen ($10-20) for an overnight stay.
Recommended For: Solo travellers who need a cheap place to stay late at night.
Map of Best Places to Stay in Japan
This map shows the ryokans (in purple) and hotels (in blue) that we recommend.
Summary
Japan has some fascinating accommodation options and I recommend trying a few of them for a varied trip.
We tend to mix a few nights in a ryokan with business and Western hotels (depending on our budget) plus apartments for longer stays in big cities.
Where are your favourite places to stay in Japan? Leave a comment and tell us!
More Japan Tips
For more travel tips see our other Japan posts:
- Where to Stay in Kyoto
- Why Shinjuku is the Best Area to Stay in Tokyo
- Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts
- The Perfect Japan 2 Week Itinerary
- Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
- 56 Best Things to Do in Japan for an Unforgettable Trip
- 16 Unmissable Places to Visit in Japan
- Vegetarian Survival Guide to Japan
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Photo credit: Top photo by Chris Robinson.
Hi Erin
How do I tell the difference between accommodation that is booked out and that which is not accepting bookings yet?
I am trying to get pricing for Nikko Hoshino yado for November 2024. “This property has no availability on our site” Kari
Yes, that can be difficult. In likelihood, if it’s more than 6 months out, they are probably not accepting bookings yet (that’s something I noticed was more common travelling in Japan post-pandemic). You could try finding their website and contacting them directly to ask, but language might be a barrier and I usually find that Japanese websites aren’t as user friendly as Booking.com.
Researching for a place to live for 2 months alone, far from tourists, apartment with equipped kitchen (I enjoy cooking) and walkable to grocery stores and/or farmers’ markets. I am not the touristy type, enjoy getting to know the locals and coming back year after year to enjoy the quiet and the local culinary offerings. Not looking for Michelin-starred! Love onsens and steamed bathes.
What’s the name of the accommodation with the picture at the top of this post with the view of Mt. Fuji and the faucet pouring water into the tub? That looks pretty nice! Did you stay there?
It’s a private balcony at Hotel Konsanso in Kawaguchiko. We didn’t stay there unfortunately but it’s on our list for next time!
I’d really like to try a more traditional accommodation like a ryokan or minshuku. My only question is are there like curfew? What if I want to go out say after dinner or comeback late from a day out?
I don’t think there are usually curfews (we didn’t have one) but dinner is at set times. You can choose not to have dinner at the ryokan but it was a highlight for us.
Toyoko Inn (https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/index.html) is a rapidly expanding chain of business hotels (40 of them in Tokyo alone!) that offer very good value. They all have free breakfast, laundry facilities, water/ice dispenser, microwave (usually located in the breakfast area so you can eat a table), vending machines, and a kettle and fridge in the rooms. We stayed in one in Osaka and saved quite a bit of money by self-catering some days. But my advice for couples booking one of these is to opt for an economy twin room rather than an economy double – the ‘double’ bed is very small and always pushed up against a wall! They get booked up early though.
Thanks for the tip! We’ll look into them next time.
What is the best area to stay in Tokyo with 8 guys?
Shinjuku is a convenient option with great transport links and plenty to do in the area.
Nice article ! ?
I agree with you about how Japan is expensive, especially accomodation in Tokyo.
But if you looking good, I think you can find good deal in different areas. For example, I live in a guesthouse in Asakusa (I am a student) and for me is the best area to stay in Tokyo ! My guesthouse is not very expensive, the neighborhood is really nice, cheap restaurants, and we feel a different culture, more traditional ^_^
We loved visiting Asakusa on our latest visit to Japan. It feels much quieter and more traditional than the rest of Tokyo and there are some great accommodation deals. It’s a little far out for short stays in the city though.
Can u tell if it is cheap to stay in airbnb than all the other places mentioned above I am asking because I want to visit japan and would like which would be a cheaper option hotel /hostel or an airbnb
This is such a good website. Very very well done. I love how thorough you are. This is helping me so much. I wasn’t too excited about planning this trip, but now that I know what I can be looking for and how much it all may cost, I am getting really, really excited! Thank you SO much!!!
I am taking my 15 yr old daughter to Japan in July. She is half Japanese. She traveled to Tokyo last year with her school and loved it. We have about 10 days, and would like to stay in Tokyo, and Kyoto. Where else should we go, and can you give us a some ideas of sights to see? We are both foodies, too. And, I want her to see experience her Japanese heritage. Ideas???
Here’s a summary of what we did, with links to all our posts. It should give you some ideas: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-round-up/
thanks Erin for the use full info .
thanks a lot for this great page i am adel i am from yemen i plan to travel to study Japanese language to study reiki i would like to live with Japanese family are they accept this like western people also where is the cheapest stat in japan ?
You could try
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and thorough run down of options! Japan is a fascinating country and it is so helpful to understand the types of accommodation that are available, their typical price ranges as well as your opinions on your own experiences. Congratulations on sourcing a house-sit!
Could you send me your newsletter as well?
Ta
Sean
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Thank you for your very useful guide to accommodation in Japan. I will stick it in my favourites. I am a single, middle-aged, nature-loving, intellect-orientated man.I am thinking of a two week stay in Japan but I have no idea where to go. I don’t know the language and the culture or the geography. It is just a place on a map to me. Can you disabuse me of any stereotypes and give me any essential dos and donts regarding behaviour? I am a Yorkshireman after all.
Sean
E Yorks
UK
I think the info on prices may be a little outdated. The accommodation is quite high on here as I went late last year with prices from $7 a night to $40 a night and we stayed in private double rooms with bathroom. I think this calls for another trip for you both to Japan :)
I lucked out when spending 3 weeks in Japan since my (now) sister-in-law lived in Kanagawa we were able to stay with her for free. We did make a fun trip down to Kyoto and stayed in a hotel that was a package deal with the Shinkansen fare. Plus once in a cabin in Karuizawa. So we never really go to try out any of these options.
Free accommodation in Japan is lucky! You save so much that way (we did with our house sit in Kyoto).
I found some ridiculously good deals when booking hotels online for our trip in January – a lot of places were offering up to 40% off if we booked either a month in advance or stayed for 4+ nights…the catch being you had to pay in full when you made your reservation.
I’m also terribly nervous about the communal baths in the ryokans…haha…we’re staying in a few, though I did find one that had attached Western baths (for a nice treat!).
I’m glad to hear you found some deals Ashley. That will be the advantage is travelling outside of the peak seasons. We generally prefer not to book places in advance (especially paying up front) but in Japan is was often necessary to get the best deals. The standard is high so we never regretted anywhere we had booked. Have an amazing trip and good luck with the communal baths!
The communal baths are the best part of a stay in a ryokan. You choose the ryokan depending on the bath (and food). Staying in your room for a western bath is a real pity!
wow Japan is not cheap at all. the only affordable accommodation is couchsurfing and it has its down sides
That’s true. You do need to save up before a trip to Japan.
How weird are the communal showers/baths in Ryokans? I was not expecting that in my trip to Nagano. I would have felt quite uncomfortable, but I was the only one staying at the two Ryokans I stayed at.
If anyone is looking to stay medium – long term there are a variety of housing companies that can place you in a mixed Japanese/foreigner house. Im staying in one in the middle of Tokyo, and its an awesome environment for a solo 25 year old backpacker.
We felt like such prudes but it was really hard to get used to! We were luckily the only ones staying in our place too.
It would definitely be cheaper if you found a longer term rental – an advantage of travelling slowly.
Hey Chris do you have a link for the housing co.
Surprised to find out that Japan is expensive however accommodation standards do look good. The temple I like, the capsule hotel not!
The accommodation standard is definitely high. The rooms are small but always well equipped, super clean and the service in Japan is excellent.
Great array of choice, the thing that so far scared me the most about traveling to Japan is precisely the cost of living..
Yep, you do need to save up before a trip to Japan.
I’ve found salaryman hotels in Tokyo to be reasonably priced, well compared to London they are!
If you book in advance on a site like Expedia you can normally get a good discount.
Oh, and if you eat inside the train station then you can eat salaryman meals that are reasonably priced. Well that’s if you can figure out the vending machines for food ordering!
We found some great deals by booking online as well. And yes, train stations are a great source for cheap eats (and the food is much better than train station food in the UK!).
I had no idea Japan was so expensive. It’s cool to see all the options, though, and I think if (when?) we travel in Japan we’d probably try one of the ryokans/minshukus…. in addition to other budget options, of course!
Wow. Looks like we won’t be headed to Japan any time soon. All those places are definitely not budget options. 70 dollars and up? For 223 dollars a night we can have a private villa in Bali for 2 days. With a private pool. It looks like an interesting experience culturally but I am surprised to hear that its so expensive. Mike says it is very expensive as well, but the housesitting option sounds like the best bet. You got lucky with that one! Housesitting is such a great idea. I can’t wait to experience one. I guess for Japan 70 dollars is considered budget but we would have to save up a lot of money for that kind of trip!
Yep, it’s expensive. Unfortunately it’s not possible to find anything as a couple for less than that. Well, maybe camping! I was quite shocked at the prices when I wrote the post as when we were in Japan we were used to it. Comparing it to SE Asia prices is not a good idea! We wouldn’t have gone if we hadn’t got the house sit but I’m so glad we did. It’s an amazing country, like nowhere else we have visited and it was worth the expense.
I’m sure the experience alone was worth it…but the prices made me cringe! And we do love camping, so as long as the weather was ideal then camping sounds like a great idea. I think any place now compared to SE Asia is expensive. You’re right…can’t compare Thailand to anything! It’s forever ruined me!
It’s definitely hot in the summer months. I think the problem with camping is that it’s only really an option in rural areas and sometimes transport to campsites can be an issue.
This is so resourceful, and I love the photos! Thank you for all the work you put into this post. I didn’t know capsule hotels were predominantly men only; it’s been a silly impulse of mine to spend a night in one. :)
Glad you found it useful Patricia. There are some capsule hotels that accept women, so you could do some research. It would make a great story!
I’m dying to try a capsule hotel just to say I’ve done it in Japan. It’s so unique for I probably won’t stay long. Just the night. Traditional Japanese Inn sounds fabulous. Thanks for the great tips! We’re heading there next May. Yay!
It would be a cool experience – but probably just for 1 night! Let us know if you need any advice for your trip. May should be a lovely time.
Do you have any recommendations for a capsule hotel in osaka?
We didn’t stay in one I’m afraid.