Asakusa & Sumida River
Sleep among the bookshelves at this appealing hostel combined with a library. There are also double bunks for ¥6800. Until 8pm it also doubles as a cafe…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This airy mountain lodge at the bottom of Yudono-san has a hot bath and is full of jovial pilgrims celebrating the completion of their multiday circuit…
Kyūshū
This spartan but friendly six-room inn, just across the gorge from the shrine, has forest views and shared onsen. Day visitors can stop here for a lunch…
Yaeyama Islands
This basic ryokan is a good choice if you're looking for more traditional accommodation. Coming from the airport, take the main road through Sonai and…
Western Honshū
Friendly Yuurin-An has shared tatami rooms in a traditional old house near the historic Bikan quarter. There's a kitchen and a dining-table space, which…
Kansai
Just east of Takeno-hama, facing the sea, this ryokan with both Japanese- and Western-style rooms and its own onsen bath is the nicest place to stay in…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Conveniently located opposite the bus terminal, this small hotel's friendly staff will do their best to ensure you have a wonderful stay. Handsome tatami…
Youth Hostel Sunflower Miyazaki
Kyūshū
Near the prefectural office, this institutional, 20-bed hostel has Japanese- and Western-style rooms and doubles as a community centre during the day …
Kagoshima
A shōchū welcome drink aside, old-world European coziness meets urban Japan at this unusual 48-room hotel, with good-size rooms, hardwood panelling and…
Beppu
About the only 'resort'-y things about this red-brick tower are the indoor and outdoor onsen. Still, despite the small room sizes it's worth a try for the…
Kii Peninsula
This 46-room hotel, across the street from the beach, is a reasonable choice (ask for an ocean-side room, some of which have views through the pines to…
Hokkaidō
Daiwa Ryokan is a simple, homely budget ryokan with character; adopting an early Shōwa (1926–89) theme, it's strewn with old knick-knacks and there's a…
Kii Peninsula
This modern ryokan by the river in Ryūjin Onsen has beautiful views from its expansive lobby. The main building, which has both Japanese- and Western…
Ginza & Tsukiji
Cone-shaped lanterns dot the high-ceilinged black-marble lobby of this affordable business hotel. Sculptural red blobs and flame-themed art on the walls…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This is a large, fairly impersonal hotel with comparatively spacious, stylish rooms and a rooftop sauna and rotemburo (outdoor bath), perfect for a post…
Hokkaidō
Located at the Rishiri-zan trailhead, this camping ground is a good spot to stay if you want to get an early start to the hike. Cabins, which have…
Naoshima
This is a good option for friendly, family-style lodgings, with tatami rooms (separated by sliding doors) and shared bathroom, in an old house close to…
Nara
In the heart of downtown Nara, about five minutes' walk from either main train station, this convenient (if rather plain) hotel offers reasonable prices,…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Located in a former office building, laid-back Anne has standard wooden bunk beds, modern toilets and showers. There's a cosy lounge too, where a simple…
Nara
Clean, contemporary, bargain-priced accommodation a few minutes' walk from JR Nara Station. There are both Western-style dorms and tiny private rooms with…
Western Honshū
Blond-wood fittings and beds on the floor in the 'concept' rooms here make this an attractive modern-Japanese option. Rooms are small but cosy and the…
Hokkaidō
This youth hostel has simple, yet comfortable rooms for two, three, four, five... Whatever you need, private or shared. There's also a big communal bath…
Toyoko Inn Akita-eki Higashi-guchi
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Toyoko's Akita hotel connects to the station, so there's no danger of getting lost if you're arriving by train. It can feel a little like rush hour at…
Hiroshima
On a quiet side street, this is a large family-run hotel-style ryokan with three connected wings. There are Japanese- and Western-style rooms, all very…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
This combined cafe-bar and hostel on a pleasant shopping street offers dorms with rickety wooden-box bunks. There's one tatami-mat room that's the double,…
Western Honshū
The pick of the Western-style chains, Dormy Inn is not far from the historic district and has a little something extra to tip the scales in its favour –…
Naoshima Backpackers Guesthouse
Naoshima
The dorms here may just be wooden capsules and there is only one shower, but it's cheap, with free bike use and an excellent location near Honmura Port…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
It's a 3½-hour hike from Bettōdeai to this basic mountain lodge, which is usually packed at the height of the midsummer hiking season, when you'll get…
Nara
This is an easy choice, with direct access to JR Nara Station (from the 2nd floor, via an elevated walkway). Rooms are contemporary, if a bit utilitarian,…
Kii Peninsula
Located right across from the Garan, with a big communal bath. The cheapest rooms have shared facilities and no air-conditioning; rooms with bathrooms…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This is a skiers' lodge through and through, from the posters on the wall of the sociable dining room to the prime location right in front of a…
Fuji Five Lakes
On Yamanaka-ko's southern shore, this resort-like complex of timber cottages in a garden setting also has restaurants, gift shop and a popular hammock…
Kyūshū
The name of this new guesthouse means 'to come together' in Japanese, and its relaxed, 20-bed facilities make that easy. The friendly owner leads…
Western Honshū
Run by friendly management, this small business hotel is handy if you want a base near the Tonoshō port. It has both Western-style and tatami rooms. Go…
Osaka
There are few love hotels like this one left in Japan. The decor riffs on the courtesan boudoirs of the Heian era (794–1185), late 19th-century Europe and…
Nagasaki
At this Portuguese-themed hotel near the Dutch Slopes, Ōura Cathedral and Glover Garden, rooms are spacious and light filled, beds are comfy, and staff…
Hakone
Good enough on a budget, with simple tatami rooms and common areas. Its location offers easy access to great hiking, but note that there's a 10pm curfew…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This massive older hotel on the eastern side of Hakuba Station has sensational views over the Hakuba range and a great indoor-outdoor onsen, but it's away…
Southern Higashiyama
Jam hostel boasts a convenient location on the edge of Gion and a sake bar downstairs that is a convivial place for guests to mix with local regulars. It…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Minshuku Takaku is fairly modest, but the tatami rooms are adequate, and there’s a pleasant o-furo (bath) and an elegant communal dining area. It's…
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