In Japan, tourists are offered various types of accommodation - as in the western and Japanese style, which differ by class and price. You can with the familiar comfort of staying in a hotel a Western-style or enjoy the increased attention of staff of a traditional Japanese hotel with its excellent service.
We advise to book a hotel even before the arrival in Japan.
Western-style hotels are available in all Japanese cities, and in major cities are well represented hotels renowned international hotel chains. The staff of the hotel said in English. In season, better take care of your hotel reservation in advance.
Most Western-style hotels provide the same set of services that other hotels anywhere in the world, including heating, TV, air conditioning, swimming pool, shopping and recreation centers. Additional services to provide an interpreter.
The estimated cost of facilities with all the comforts of first class hotels in Tokyo varies from 15,000 to 30,000 yen for single room, and from 25,000 to 63,000 yen for a double.
Business Hotels - relatively recent, type of hotels that are especially appreciated the budget travelers. They are located in all major and many medium-sized cities in the country and mostly in demand by Japanese businessmen during trips. As a rule, it is clean and comfortable, but small hotels, representing fewer amenities than hotels of a higher class. Here, for example, no services for room service (room service).
Business hotels, most of them, conveniently located near railway stations. The cost of living in an average of 5,500 to 10,000 yen per person per day. Rooms are usually only for single accommodation. Rooms with two single beds or one double bed are also available, although they are usually limited in number.
Hotels in the Japanese style "river"
To feel the atmosphere of that of Japan itself, which in the past lived daimyo feudal lords, we recommend staying at least a day in a traditional Japanese hotel "Ryokan". Rooms in rekanah usually one-room, large, without partitions. The floors in the rooms covered with traditional straw mat "tatami". From furniture represented only a little table. Doors, "shoji" sliding. They sleep on a padded mattress "futon", which stretches night workers.
Most hotels Ryokan have a bath for public use, which is designed for separate visits to men and women. Numerous well-known resorts in the hot springs, known as "onsen", in fact represent the Hotel River, built near the hot springs. The room price includes two meals: a constant evening a sumptuous dinner with delicacies of local cuisine and a simple breakfast. Eating Ryokan provided a maid in the room accommodation. After dinner, the maid comes into the room, clears the table and spreads a futon. All guests can enjoy a white-blue cotton gown "yukata" - typical for hotels of this type of clothing.
Preferring elegant and refined atmosphere of Japanese Ryokan accommodation, we must remember that living in them are governed by certain rules, which differ from those in European hotels. For example, visitors at the entrance to the Ryokan must remove their shoes and put on a specially prepared sneakers. The room slippers on the tatami and shoot or go barefoot or in socks.
Before visiting the public baths should definitely take a shower. Before you dive into the bathtub, make sure you do not have soap suds. Japanese baths are designed for immersion in water, but not for washing wool. It is ideal for intimate and casual conversations between old friends, family or even strangers. Lovers of public baths in Japan are trying as long as possible to be in hot water to get maximum enjoyment from their visit.
In Japan, there are only about 55 thousand hotels river, of which 1400 to the quality of service included in the Japanese Ryokan Association.
Rates vary greatly in Ryokan. Some of the hotels offer exclusive services and the very high prices. The average price for accommodation per night, including two meals, range from 12000 to 20000 yen per person excluding tax and service allowances.
Pensions minsyuku
Another great way to save costs during a trip to Japan, which also gives you a great chance to plunge into the routine of everyday life - is "minsyuku. Japanese equivalent of the guest house - usually a family business, based on the lease of the premises. You can rent a house and resorts in popular vacation spots for a fairly reasonable price.
Since minsyuku mainly represent domestic hostels, there is proposed a smaller set of services than in a specialized hotels.
The cost of living in minsyuku average ranges from 6500 to 8500 yen per night and includes two meals, usually homemade.
Other types of accommodation
Stopping for the night in the Buddhist temples is a more exotic way to spend the night. Some churches allow guests to join the meditation za-zen, others simply rent rooms for rent for a fee.
In Japan there are about 320 youth hotels, providing simple but tidy rooms at very low price. Some of them are open to all, others are not so accessible, as must be a member of the Japanese corporations youth hostel (Japan Youth Hostels, Inc.), Or the Federation of Youth Hotel (Youth Hostel Federation). You can make membership in the Federation of Youth hotels at home or in the Tokyo headquarters of the above organizations.
In the youth hostel there is no age restriction. At the same time, compared with other types of accommodation, there is much more different regulations and rules. The cost of living in a youth hostel - about 3000 yen per person per night, without food.
Tax and service costs
Usually 10-15% service charge in hotels and 5% sales tax added to the base room rate.
In Tokyo, a so-called "tax residence", which is levied on all citizens without exception, both foreigners and Japanese who stay in a hotel and the river within the limits of Tokyo, in case the cost of their accommodation of more than 10,000 yen per person per day, not including food. Income tax in the amount of 100 yen per person per night will be charged with those who stay in rooms cost from 10,000 to 14.999 yen and 200 yen to those who prefer apartment from 15,000 yen and above.