Types of accommodation

Price: Budget · Japanese culture: Low

Amenities

• Usually: Yukata / loungewear, Towels and toiletries
• Sometimes: Large bath / onsen, Coin laundry, 24-hour front desk
• Rarely: Private bathroom, Dinner included, Breakfast, On-site restaurant, Kettle, Lockable private room, Fridge

A typical stay

1. Until 20:00 · Luggage storage — Leave your bags at the front desk and explore the area until check-in. Some budget places won't hold luggage, though.
2. 20:00 · Check-in — Put your shoes in a shoe locker, then pick up loungewear and towels. Almost all are split by gender, either as separate facilities or separate floors.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 20:30 · Locker — Capsules close with just a curtain or a panel and don't lock. Keep your valuables in your locker.
4. 21:00 · Shower — Use the shared showers or the large communal bath. You'll hear footsteps and snoring, so earplugs are a good idea. Save conversations with friends for the lounge.
5. Next day 10:00 · Check-out — Some places ask you to check out each morning, even if you're staying more than one night.
6. From 10:00 · Luggage storage — Most will hold your bags for the rest of the day.

Price: Budget · Japanese culture: Some

Amenities

• Usually: Coin laundry
• Sometimes: Breakfast, Towels and toiletries, Kettle, Lockable private room, Fridge
• Rarely: Private bathroom, Large bath / onsen, Dinner included, On-site restaurant, Yukata / loungewear, 24-hour front desk

A typical stay

1. 16:00 · Check-in — Reception has set hours, and some places can't check you in outside them.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
2. 19:00 · Dinner — Meals usually aren't included. Cook in the shared kitchen or eat out.
3. 21:00 · Meet travelers — Chat with other travelers in the shared lounge.
4. 22:00 · Lights out (set time) — There are set quiet hours. Old wooden buildings carry sound easily, so keep the noise down.
5. Next day 8:00 · Breakfast — Some include a simple breakfast. If you use the kitchen, clean up after yourself.
6. Next day 10:00 · Check-out — You may be asked to strip your sheets and hand them in.

Price: Budget · Japanese culture: Low

Amenities

• Usually: Private bathroom, Breakfast, Yukata / loungewear, Towels and toiletries, Coin laundry, Kettle, Lockable private room, 24-hour front desk, Fridge
• Sometimes: Large bath / onsen, On-site restaurant
• Rarely: Dinner included

A typical stay

1. Until 15:00 · Luggage storage — Leave your bags at the front desk and explore the area until check-in.
2. 15:00 · Check-in — Some hotels have self check-in kiosks.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 16:00 · Sightseeing — Business hotels are often near a station, which makes them a handy base for sightseeing.
4. 19:00 · Dinner — Many have no restaurant on site, so eat nearby or pick something up at a convenience store.
5. 21:00 · Bath — Rooms are small, and a compact unit bath is standard. If there's a large communal bath, you can relax there. Coin laundry and vending machines are common, too.
6. Next day 7:00 · Breakfast — Usually a buffet, sometimes with a choice of Japanese or Western dishes. Some hotels have no dining facilities.
7. Next day 10:00 · Check-out — Return your card key at the front desk or drop it in the return box.
8. From 10:00 · Luggage storage — Most will hold your bags for the rest of the day.

Price: Mid · Japanese culture: Low

Amenities

• Usually: Private bathroom, Breakfast, On-site restaurant, Yukata / loungewear, Towels and toiletries, Kettle, Lockable private room, 24-hour front desk, Fridge
• Sometimes: Coin laundry
• Rarely: Large bath / onsen, Dinner included

A typical stay

1. Until 15:00 · Luggage storage — The front desk or bell desk can hold your bags.
2. 15:00 · Check-in — Many staff speak English. The concierge can help with transport and restaurant bookings.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 19:00 · Dinner — Many have several restaurants on site: Japanese, Chinese, French and more. Book popular ones ahead.
4. 21:00 · Bar — Some hotels have a bar or lounge on a high floor with night views.
5. 22:00 · Bath — The bathroom in your room is fairly spacious, so you can take your time.
6. Next day 7:00 · Breakfast — A buffet is standard, with Japanese dishes too.
7. Next day 11:00 · Check-out — A little later than at business hotels.
8. From 11:00 · Luggage storage — Most will hold your bags for the rest of the day.

Price: Mid · Japanese culture: High

Amenities

• Usually: Large bath / onsen, Dinner included, Breakfast, Yukata / loungewear
• Sometimes: Towels and toiletries, Kettle
• Rarely: Private bathroom, On-site restaurant, Coin laundry, Lockable private room, 24-hour front desk, Fridge

A typical stay

1. Until 15:00 · Temple visit — Leave your bags and visit the temple and the area around it.
2. 15:00 · Check-in — Rooms are tatami, and toilets and washbasins are often shared. Mountain temples get cold, so bring layers.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 15:30 · Sutra copying — Try sutra copying or meditation. What's offered varies by temple.
4. 17:30 · Dinner (set time) — Shojin ryori: Buddhist cuisine made without meat or fish. Dinner is early, so don't be late.
5. 19:00 · Bath (set time) — A shared bath, open only at set hours.
6. 21:00 · Lights out (set time) — Nights at a temple start early and are spent quietly.
7. Next day 6:00 · Morning service (set time) — Chant sutras with the monks, following along in a booklet. The atmosphere varies a lot from temple to temple.
8. Next day 7:00 · Breakfast (set time) — Shojin ryori: rice porridge, miso soup, tofu and similar dishes.
9. Next day 9:00 · Check-out — Much earlier than at hotels.
10. From 9:00 · Temple visit — Leave your bags and keep exploring the temple grounds and the area.

Price: High · Japanese culture: High

Amenities

• Usually: Large bath / onsen, Dinner included, Breakfast, Yukata / loungewear, Towels and toiletries, Kettle, Lockable private room, Fridge
• Sometimes: Private bathroom, On-site restaurant, Coin laundry, 24-hour front desk

A typical stay

1. Until 15:00 · Luggage storage — Leave your bags at the front desk and explore the area until check-in.
2. 15:00 · Check-in — Take off your shoes at the entrance. Fewer staff speak fluent English than at Western-style hotels.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 15:30 · Onsen — Change into your yukata and take a soak before dinner. The baths are usually quiet right after check-in, so it's a good time to go.Note — Tattoos: Guests with tattoos may not be allowed in onsen or large communal baths. Book an in-room bath or a private family bath instead.
4. 18:00 · Dinner (set time) — You choose your dinner time at check-in. Dishes are made fresh, so if you're late, dinner may not be served — and you'll still be charged. While you eat, staff lay out your futon.
5. 20:00 · Onsen — The outdoor bath is quiet at night and has a different feel from the daytime.Note — Tattoos: Guests with tattoos may not be allowed in onsen or large communal baths. Book an in-room bath or a private family bath instead.
6. Next day 7:00 · Morning bath — Early morning, before breakfast, is another quiet time. A morning soak is something special.
7. Next day 8:00 · Breakfast (set time) — A Japanese breakfast of grilled fish, rice and miso soup is the classic.
8. Next day 10:00 · Check-out — You can leave the yukata in your room. Settle any extra charges at the front desk.
9. From 10:00 · Luggage storage — You can leave your bags after check-out and keep sightseeing.

Price: High · Japanese culture: Some

Amenities

• Usually: Private bathroom, Breakfast, On-site restaurant, Yukata / loungewear, Towels and toiletries, Kettle, Lockable private room, 24-hour front desk, Fridge
• Sometimes: Large bath / onsen, Coin laundry
• Rarely: Dinner included

A typical stay

1. Until 15:00 · Lounge — Arrive early and you may be able to relax in the lounge while you wait.
2. 15:00 · Check-in — Check-in may be done seated in the lounge, sometimes with a welcome drink.Note — Passport: Have your passport ready to show at the front desk.Note — Accommodation tax: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and some other cities charge a separate accommodation tax.
3. 16:00 · Spa — Treatments usually need a reservation, so book early.
4. 18:30 · Dinner — Enjoy Japanese cuisine, teppanyaki, sushi and more in the hotel. Some restaurants have a dress code.
5. 20:00 · Bar — Some bars serve Japanese whisky and sake.
6. 22:00 · Bath — The bathroom in your room is fairly spacious, so you can take your time.
7. Next day 8:00 · Breakfast — Many offer a Japanese breakfast with grilled fish and small side dishes.
8. Next day 12:00 · Check-out — Some hotels can arrange a late check-out.
9. From 12:00 · Luggage storage — Most will hold your bags for the rest of the day.