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Accommodations in Japan

Accommodations

Ryokan

 Ryokan, or Japanese-style inns can give you a taste of a truly Japanese atmosphere. There is a nakai or maid who has duties ranging from serving meals to preparing futon bedding, she will help to make your stay in the ryokan comfortable. Normally, the room charges include meals.


Youth Hostels

 This is a cheap choice for young people traveling around Japan. People often share one room during their stay, but men and women are allocated separate rooms. It is good if you are sociable, and enjoy meeting people as well as sharing information.

Minshuku
This is a private house, often located close to sightseeing spots, which offers accommodation and family-like services to tourists. Fees are reasonable.

Pension (boarding house)
Like a Minshuku, but with some of the features of a hotel. A pension combines the friendly atmosphere of a Minshuku and the functional convenience of a hotel. Pensions are usually in western style buildings and will serve you western meals.

Hotel
This is the same type of accommodation as you might find in Western countries. Rooms have one or two beds, a toilet and bath unit. If you want modern services, you should choose this style of accommodation.

Public Inns
Public inns are run by public organizations and are located in the center of cities or near sightseeing spots. Both Western style rooms and Japanese ryokan style rooms are available at comparatively reasonable prices.

Ryokan

How to Wear a Yukata

 yukata is a type of Japanese kimono worn when you sleep. Wear it like a bath-robe, crossing left over right (for both men and women). A sash is used to hold the yukata comfortably in place. 




Nakai
 

 A nakai is a maid working in Japanese style inns, who serves meals to guests and lays out their futons at night. The nakai also functions like the front staff at a hotel who helps guest in various ways. Nakai know a lot about local sightseeing spots and events.


Toilets

Many toilets in Japan still have Japanese style lavatory basins. Squat down facing the flush lever. If you have ever been camping, you can probably work out how to use it. Some public rest rooms do not have toilet paper. Therefore, it is a good idea to always have a small packet of tissue paper with you.

Futon

A futon is a Japanese style bed placed directly onto the tatami mats. There is a mattress-like futon underneath, then a "kakebuton" or top futon and a pillow placed on top. On a very cold night, a "mofu", or blanket, is placed between the bottom mattress and the top futon. 

  

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