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Japan offers a variety of accommodation options to appeal to everyone from luxury travellers to backpackers on a budget.
Whichever type of traveller you happen to be, there's a perfect stay for you in the land of the rising sun. We've picked out some of the best stays in Japan’s most popular cities, which boast the most ideal locations for sightseeing and shopping in each destination.
Keio Plaza Hotel is conveniently located within one of Tokyo’s top shopping districts and close to a metro and train station. It offers views of Tokyo’s skyline, child-minding services and a karaoke bar.
Many attractions and eateries are located within walking distance of Park Hotel’s central location. Each room is unique and the on-site spa offers a number of massage and body treatments.
This budget-friendly option is in an ideal location to explore the area by bike. It’s within walking distance of the Akihabara Railway Station making it easy yo experience Tokyo’s nightlife and other attractions.
Swissotel Nankai offers stylish accommodation with city views. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of Namba train station and Namba parks. After a day of sightseeing relax in the jacuzzi, at the spa or with a yoga class at the on-site gym.
Cross Hotel Osaka is located in the centre of the tourism and shopping district with other areas like Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi only a stroll away. A massage and beauty centre is available on-site as well as free Wi-Fi.
Kyoto Century Hotel is ideal for those looking to sightsee with Kyoto Tower just a short walk away. Plenty of cafes and restaurants are close by. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to dine in, Kyoto Century Hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar.
Traditional rooms provide comfort at New Mikyako and the on-site restaurant and bar are ideal for relaxation. Nishi Honganji, Higashi Honganji and Kyoto Tower, as well as shopping and restaurants are all within walking distance.
Mercure Sapporo offers stylish and modern accommodation at a central location. Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park and Nakajima Park are all within walking distance.
Dining, nightlife and shopping are at Red Planet Naha Okinawa’s doorstep. This budget accommodation features an in-house restaurant and friendly staff to provide tourist information.
Capsule hotels are not made for the claustrophobic – your hotel "room" is little more than a bed-sized pod. You will need to store your luggage and personal belongings in your own locker, which comes with a key. Hotels may provide complimentary travel packs that include slippers, a towel and toothpaste. Bathrooms and kitchens are communal, but keep in mind that men and women are usually separated on different floors for privacy. These hotels are great for those of you who are travelling solo or with a friend.
So where can you find a capsule hotel? Tokyo hosts an abundance, including the Astil Dotonbori, the Anshin Oyado Akihabara and the Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Ogikubo.
You'll also find them in abundance in Yokohama, including the Capsule Hotel Palace and the Resort Capsule Sakuragicho.
Just as the name suggests, the love hotels of Japan are an option for couples looking for some privacy. Discretion is one of the biggest factors when it comes to Japanese love hotels. Interaction with staff is kept to a minimum, rooms are booked via computers and payments are made within the room itself. Some hotels provide complimentary gifts upon arrival. Food and beverage can also be ordered straight to your suite.
You can find an array of these stays in Osaka, including the Hotel Love Namba Kuromon, the Osaka Hotel Live Artex or the One Love Hotel for adults only.
Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns typically housed with communal baths and tatami-matted rooms. You're very likely to have seen these in popular television depictions of Japan. Guests of a ryokan hotel get to wear the customary Yukata dress, which is provided to the rooms. This type of accommodation usually has a few house rules that include no shoes indoors and springs must be entered unclothed. Due to the mats within the room, dining and sleeping occur on the floor. It's also not unusual for owners to join their guests for dinners.
We recommend checking out Ryokan Wakaba or Yufuin Ryokan Nogiku, which are situated in the southern regions of Minamioguni and Yufu. If you happen to be staying in the city, a great option is Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku, which is located in Tokyo.
For those of you after accommodation of a spiritual kind, a Buddhist temple might just be for you. Expect morning fire rituals, sutra copying and meditation; locals, pilgrims and tourists are all welcome. These can easily be booked online and the staff usually speak both Japanese and English. Just like the ryokan stays, baths and other facilities are communal. Dinners are also brought to your individual rooms.
Some great temple options include the Shukubo Kakurinbo Temple in Minobu, the Temple Stay Seizanji in Nagasaki and the Takayama Zenko-ji in Gifu.
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Feature image: Park Hotel Tokyo
