JapanHotel.net - Type of accommodation on our website

General Info Japan has a wide range of accommodation options. There is generally something for every budget, and personal preference. Many accommodation properties in Japan feature Hot Springs or "Onsen". Japan doesn't use a 1-5 star ranking system, but in general city hotels and resort hotels are 4-5 star, while business hotels are 2-3 star.

City Hotels / Resort Hotels

For those looking for all the comforts of home, City and Resort hotels are for you. In the urban areas, top of the line hotels are called "City Hotels", while in hot spring and beach resort areas, they are called "Resort Hotels".

The all have English speaking staff, and are on a par with elite hotels around the world. In most cases it will a stay to remember, with people rushing around to look after you an ensure you have a great time

The only thing to watch out for is those hotels which have not put a lot of maintenance work in over the last 20 years, and cling to the dreams and aspirations of the 80s and 90s. Some of these places still call themselves resort hotels, but do not deserve the label. Make sure you look at the photos of each property, as we only have up to date photos online.

If unsure of the level of the hotel, let us know and we'll give you an honest opinion. It's not all negative though as the general level of service in Japan is second to none, and 99% of the time you'll come away feeling pampered, relaxed and refreshed.

Business Hotels Business Hotels started out as places that were set up to cater for travelling businessmen to have an affordable place to stay while over-nighting on

business trips. With the burst of the bubble in the 90s, they became more popular with the general populace as a way of saving yen while travelling.
While independent hotels were the norm 10-15 years ago, the chain hotels have captured a large share of the market. Rooms are small, with not much room for luggage (Japanese like to travel lite). Single rooms account for about 80% of all business hotel rooms, but there are more twins and doubles coming on the market.
These are good for those travelling on a budget, but don't expect too much. Remember that these hotels are still targeting business travelers, so if you work in with that you can get some good deals. In general, popular hotels are busiest on Mon â€“ Thu, and sometimes offer weekend discounts, but this usually applies to single rooms only, as the weekends see an upturn in couples and families travelling.
Good news for non smokers, as more and more business hotels are including Non Smoking Rooms, and some even have female only floors

Ryokan / Minshuku / ShukuboFor those looking for an authentic Japanese experience, look no further. You sleep on futons on tatami mats, meals are generally Japanese fare, and Ryokan

more often than not, the property will have a large, communal bath (not as bad as it sounds)
We feature 3 kinds of uniquely Japanese accommodation on our site.
Ryokan are generally larger or more exclusive properties, with a high level of service, fantastic Japanese style meals, large bathhouses... As stay here will relax and revitalize, and you'll not want to check out. In general, you will have an en suite toilet in your room, but even some of the top Ryokan do not have private bathrooms, as a visit to the bath house is part of the experience.
Minshuku are smaller family run Ryokan. The services are more basic, and the meals are generally more like the meals mum used to make with a Japanese twist. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with super friendly service. In nearly all Ryokan rooms are Japanese style without en suites, but the bath houses are smaller and can usually be used privately.
Shukubo are temple lodgings, and guests are invited to take part in meditation and prayers. Meals are vegetarian, and generally served in your room. Almost no Shukubo have en suite rooms. The center of Shukubo life in Japan is the Koya San area, but there are also Shukubo in Kyoto and a few other places.
The above guidelines are by no means set in stone, with some smaller family run places calling themselves Ryokan, and some places with 'hotel' in the name are actually Ryokan.

Budget Hotels While the idea of budget hotels may seem cheap and nasty, standards in Japanese budget hotels are very high.
Rooms are clean, with decent plumbing, and water safe to drink.
Rates range from 2,500 - 4,500yen per person per night, and these are often good places to meet like minded traveler's.

Pension / Ski Lodges

Many popular holiday destinations have many Pension style places located a short distance from the city center. These are a bit like a B & B, but most places serve great evening meals as well, in act it is often better to order the dinners as there may not be anywhere nearby to eat.
Japan has also become a popular ski destination in recent years, with world class powder snow. Niseko kicked things off in the early years of the 21st century, but now Furano, Rutsutsu, Hakuba, Nozawa and many others are also attracting a lot of overseas visitors from mid December to late March.
Early booking is the best option as many places to have early bird discounts.
What's more, JapanHotel.net is based in the Hakuba Ski Resort and if coming here, we can get you the best deals you will find anywhere

Self Contained AccommodationSelf Contained apartments and cottages generally cater to those staying a little longer in one place. Many ski resorts are developing new condominiums to meet the needs of the international traveler, while the cities have weekly mansions to cater to those in town for more than a few nights.