Where to Stay in Japan
From 400-year-old ryokan inns to ultramodern capsule hotels โ Japan offers the world's most diverse and fascinating range of accommodation experiences.
Staying in a Ryokan
A ryokan (ๆ ้คจ) is a traditional Japanese inn and one of the country's most beloved cultural experiences. Staying in a ryokan is not merely accommodation โ it is an immersion into a philosophy of hospitality, seasonality, and mindful living that has been refined over centuries.
Upon arrival, you'll exchange your shoes for indoor slippers, dress in the inn's yukata robe, and be guided to a tatami-floored room. A multi-course kaiseki dinner prepared with local seasonal ingredients is served โ sometimes in your room, sometimes in a communal dining hall. Breakfast the following morning is an equally beautiful affair.
Most ryokan have onsen (hot spring baths), which form the centrepiece of the relaxation experience. High-end properties like Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki or Tawaraya in Kyoto command ยฅ30,000โ80,000 per person per night including two meals โ and are worth every yen.
Learn About Japanese Culture โ
Every Way to Sleep in Japan
๐ฏ Ryokan (Traditional Inn)
The ultimate Japanese accommodation experience. Tatami rooms, yukata robes, kaiseki dinner and breakfast included. Onsen baths often available. Book well in advance โ popular ryokan fill up months ahead, especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
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๐จ Business Hotel
Japan's business hotel chains (Dormy Inn, APA, Toyoko Inn, Sotetsu Fresa Inn) offer exceptional value โ clean, efficiently designed rooms with excellent shower pressure, fast Wi-Fi, and great locations near major train stations. Many include complimentary breakfast and free onsen facilities.
๐๏ธ Capsule Hotel
Sleeping pods (roughly 2m x 1m) stacked in rows โ surprisingly comfortable, excellent communal facilities, very social. Typically ยฅ3,000โ5,000/night. Many now have separate pods for women. Nine Hours and First Cabin are top-tier chains.
๐ Guesthouse & Hostel
Japan's guesthouse scene has exploded with stylish, design-led properties. Dormitory beds from ยฅ2,500/night, private rooms from ยฅ5,000. The best guesthouses offer tours, community meals, and the best local travel advice you'll find anywhere.
๐ Luxury Hotels
Japan hosts some of the world's finest luxury properties โ Aman Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo (Lost in Translation), The Peninsula Tokyo, Four Seasons Kyoto. Rates from ยฅ50,000/night but offer extraordinary service and facilities.
How to Book Accommodation in Japan
๐ Book Early for Peak Seasons
Cherry blossom season (late Marchโearly April), Golden Week (late Aprilโearly May), and autumn foliage season (mid-Octoberโmid-November) are Japan's busiest travel periods. Popular ryokan and budget guesthouses sell out 3โ6 months in advance. Don't leave booking to chance.
๐ Best Booking Platforms
Jalan.net and Rakuten Travel have the widest Japanese ryokan selection but require some Japanese proficiency. Booking.com and Agoda have excellent English interfaces. AirBnB offers unique machiya townhouse stays in Kyoto.