Places to Stay

Short stays (listed by cost)

One US dollar is roughly 100 Yen. Click here for the current Yen exchange rates.

Dormitories
typically 1,500 to 3,000 Yen per night and person
Dormitories, usually housed in older buildings, can mainly be found in large cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

Youth Hostels
typically 2,500 to 3,500 Yen per night and member
Japanese youth hostels do not differ much from the ones in North America or Europe. Click here for more information.

Capsule hotels
typically 3,000 to 4,000 Yen per night and capsule
Capsule hotels offer nothing but a bed in a small capsule, a television and a shared bathroom. They target business men and people who missed the last train. Some capsule hotels are for men only.

Temples
typically 3,000 to 10,000 Yen per person and night
It is possible for tourists to overnight at some Buddhist temples. One of the best places to experience a night at a temple is Mount Koya.

Minshuku
typically 4,000 to 9,000 Yen per night and person
Minshuku are Japanese style bed and breakfasts. Click here for more information.

Pensions
typically 4,000 to 12,000 Yen per night and person
Pensions offer Western style rooms and are usually family run. Breakfast and sometimes dinner is included in the room rate. Some pensions feature a special theme (for example, German style) with rooms decorated and meals prepared accordingly.

Ryokan
typically 4,000 to 15,000 Yen per night and person
Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns and a must for travelers who wish to experience a little bit of traditional Japanese lifestyle. Click here for more information.

Business hotels
typically 5,000 to 9,000 Yen for a single room and 7,000 to 12,000 Yen for a double room
Business hotels target business people. They offer small Western style rooms, and snacks and drinks are available at vending machines.

Western style hotels
typically starting around 10,000 Yen for a single room and 12,000 Yen for a double room
Western style hotels, including various international and Japanese chain hotels, can be found in all Japanese cities. Use the above form to search and reserve hotel rooms online.

 
Longer stays

Gaijin houses
typically 50,000 to 100,000 Yen per month and person
Gaijin houses, also politically correctly known as guesthouses, are among the most inexpensive ways to stay in Japan. Rooms are usually rented on a monthly basis, but some houses offer them also for shorter periods. Click here for more information.

Homestay
Living with a Japanese family. Popular among international exchange students.

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