Western-style Hotels

In all major Japanese cities you will find a large selection of western hotels representing most of the leading names in the hotel industry.  Many of these hotels will have staff that can interact in English.  Other than the culinary offerings in the restaurants, the size of the room, and the programming on TV, much will be the same as if you are staying in a hotel in any western country.

Upon check-in you will be requested to present your passport and a copy will be made.  This is to satisfy the requirements of Japanese laws regarding the registration of foreigners as part of anti-terrorism tactics and is nothing related to any specific suspicions of the guest.

Business Hotels

Scattered throughout most major cities and in particular close to train stations are what is known as “Business Hotels” which are frequently used by travelling businessmen.  These accommodations will be less expensive than the nightly rates charged by the western style hotels, and will be completely satisfactory in terms of cleanliness, but will present fewer amenities and a much smaller room space. 

Almost all business hotel rooms are singles and there is usually only enough extra floor space in the room to be able to walk around the bed.  Rates for a nightly stay in a business hotel should average about 50% less than a nearby western-style hotel.

Capsule Hotels

Capsule hotels appear in stories about Japan from time to time in the west, but unlike other Japanese exports have not gained any degree of popularity outside the country.  In essence a capsule hotel is a densely packed grouping of individual compartments just large enough to crawl into to sleep. 

Most will have a small TV, perhaps an Internet connection, and individual climate controls.  Needless to say, capsule hotels are not a recommended accommodation style for foreign travelers to Japan and seem to be predominantly used by those who miss the last train of the night heading home due to drinking and don’t have the money or desire to spend the extra yen for the expensive taxi-ride home or a larger business or western-style hotel room. 

The rate for a capsule hotel is about half of that for a business hotel and 20 percent of the cost of a western-style hotel.  As an alternative to staying in a capsule hotel some youth will simply rent a chair in an internet café and sleep in the chair overnight until the trains begin to run again in the morning!

Hostels

There are more than 300 youth hostels in Japan which provide no-frills accommodations for low rates. Most youth hostels will accept guests of all ages, but will require a membership in either of these associations - Japan Youth Hostels or the International Youth Hostel Federation. Foreign Travelers can obtain membership at the main office in Tokyo or in their home country. Overnight stays in a hostel should average around 85% less than staying at a western-style hotel.

Welcome Inns Reservation Center