Love hotel is a bit of a euphemism; a more accurate term would be sex hotel. They can be found in and near red light districts, but most are not in those areas. Many of them are often clustered around highway interchanges or main train stations out of the city and back to the suburbs. The entrance is usually quite discreet, and the exit is separated from the entrance (to avoid running into someone one might know). Basically you can rent a room by the night (listed as "Stay" or shukuhaku on the rate card, usually ¥6000-10000), a couple of hours ("Rest" or 休憩 kyūkei, around ¥3000), or off hours ("No Time Service") which are usually weekday afternoons. Beware of service charges, peak hour surcharges and taxes, which can push your bill up by 25%.
They are generally clean, safe, and very private. Some have exotic themes e.g, aquatics, sports, or Hello Kitty. As a traveller, rather than a a typical client, you (usually) cannot check in, drop your bags, and go out exploring. Once you leave, that is it, so they are not as convenient as proper hotels. "Stay" rates also tend to start only after 10 PM, and overstaying may incur hefty additional "Rest" charges. Many rooms have simple food and drinks in a refrigerator, and often have somewhat high charges. Before entering a love hotel, it would be wise to take some food and drinks with you. The rooms often feature amenities such as jacuzzis, wild theme decoration, costumes, karaoke machines, vibrating beds, sex-toy vending machines, and in some cases, video games. Most often, all toiletries (including condoms) are included. Sometimes the rooms have a book that acts as a log, where people record their tales and adventures for posterity. Popular love hotels may be entirely booked up in the cities on weekends.
Why are they everywhere? Consider the housing shortage that plagued post-war Japan for years, and the way people still live in extended families. If you are 28 years old and still live at home, do you really want to bring your mate back to your folks' house? Or, if you are a married couple in a 40 square meter apartment with two grade school children, do you really want to get down to it at home? Thus, the love hotel. They can be seedy, but mainly they are just practical and fulfill a social need.
One word of caution: There has been an increase in hidden cameras being planted in public and private spaces, including love hotels, either by other guests or even occasionally the hotel management. Videos of these supposed tousatsu (hidden camera) are popular in adult video stores, although many such videos are actually staged.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Japan Business hotels - Tokyo Business hotels
They are usually around ¥10,000 per night and have a convenient location (often near major train stations) as their major selling point, but rooms are usually unbelievably cramped. On the upside, you'll get a (tiny) ensuite bathroom and, quite often, free Internet. Some major chains of cheaper business hotels include Tokyu Inn, known for its generously sized rooms, and Toyoko Inn.
Local, "unadvertised" business hotels, further from major stations, can be significantly cheaper (from ¥5000/double room/night) and can be found in the phonebook (which also tells prices!), but you will need a Japanese-speaking assistant to help, or better yet, pre-book online. For two or more, the price can often compete with youth hostels if you share a twin or double room. Note that full payment is often expected on check-in, and check-out times are early (usually 10 AM) and not negotiable unless you're willing to pay extra. At the very bottom end are dirt-cheap hotels in the labourers' districts of the major cities, such as Kamagasaki in Osaka, or Senju in Tokyo, where prices start from as little as ¥1500 for a tiny three-mat room that literally has only enough room to sleep. Walls and futons can be thin as well.
Local, "unadvertised" business hotels, further from major stations, can be significantly cheaper (from ¥5000/double room/night) and can be found in the phonebook (which also tells prices!), but you will need a Japanese-speaking assistant to help, or better yet, pre-book online. For two or more, the price can often compete with youth hostels if you share a twin or double room. Note that full payment is often expected on check-in, and check-out times are early (usually 10 AM) and not negotiable unless you're willing to pay extra. At the very bottom end are dirt-cheap hotels in the labourers' districts of the major cities, such as Kamagasaki in Osaka, or Senju in Tokyo, where prices start from as little as ¥1500 for a tiny three-mat room that literally has only enough room to sleep. Walls and futons can be thin as well.
5 Star Hotels in Japan - 5 Star Hotels in Tokyo Japan
There are surprisingly few Western-branded hotels in Japan: instead, it's Japanese brands like JAL, Nikko, ANA and Prince that rule the roost. Full-service five-star hotels can turn pampering into an artform, but tend to be rather bland and generic in appearance, despite steep prices starting from ¥20,000 per person (not per room). However, there are several types of uniquely Japanese and far more affordable hotels.
When reserving any Japanese accommodations, bear in mind that many smaller operations may hesitate to accept foreigners, fearing language difficulties or other cultural misunderstandings. This is to some extent institutionalized: large travel agency databases note which (few) hotels are prepared to handle foreigners, and they may tell you that all lodgings are booked if only these are full! Instead of calling up in English, you may find it better to get a Japanese acquaintance or local tourist office to make the booking for you. Alternatively, for cheap Internet rates, Rakuten's English search tool is an invaluable utility. Note that prices are almost always given per person not per room. Otherwise you may have a rather unpleasant shock when your party of five tries to check out....
When checking in to any type of accommodation, the hotel is, by law, required to make a copy of your passport unless you are a resident of Japan. It is a good idea, especially if you are travelling in groups, to present the clerk a photo copy of your passport to speed up check-in. Aside from this, remember that Japan is mostly a cash only country, and credit cards are usually not accepted in smaller forms of accommodation, including, but not limited to, small business hotels. Bring enough cash to be able to pay in advance.
One thing to beware in wintertime: traditional Japanese houses are designed to be cool in summer, which all too often means that they are freezing cold inside in winter. Bulk up on clothing and make good use of the bathing facilities to stay warm; fortunately, futon bedding is usually quite warm and getting a good night's sleep is rarely a problem.
While accommodation in Japan is expensive, you may find that you can comfortably use a lower standard of hotel than you would in other countries. Shared baths will usually be spotless, and theft is very unusual in Japan. Just don't expect to sleep in late: check-out time is invariably 10 AM, and any extensions to this will have to be paid for.
When reserving any Japanese accommodations, bear in mind that many smaller operations may hesitate to accept foreigners, fearing language difficulties or other cultural misunderstandings. This is to some extent institutionalized: large travel agency databases note which (few) hotels are prepared to handle foreigners, and they may tell you that all lodgings are booked if only these are full! Instead of calling up in English, you may find it better to get a Japanese acquaintance or local tourist office to make the booking for you. Alternatively, for cheap Internet rates, Rakuten's English search tool is an invaluable utility. Note that prices are almost always given per person not per room. Otherwise you may have a rather unpleasant shock when your party of five tries to check out....
When checking in to any type of accommodation, the hotel is, by law, required to make a copy of your passport unless you are a resident of Japan. It is a good idea, especially if you are travelling in groups, to present the clerk a photo copy of your passport to speed up check-in. Aside from this, remember that Japan is mostly a cash only country, and credit cards are usually not accepted in smaller forms of accommodation, including, but not limited to, small business hotels. Bring enough cash to be able to pay in advance.
One thing to beware in wintertime: traditional Japanese houses are designed to be cool in summer, which all too often means that they are freezing cold inside in winter. Bulk up on clothing and make good use of the bathing facilities to stay warm; fortunately, futon bedding is usually quite warm and getting a good night's sleep is rarely a problem.
While accommodation in Japan is expensive, you may find that you can comfortably use a lower standard of hotel than you would in other countries. Shared baths will usually be spotless, and theft is very unusual in Japan. Just don't expect to sleep in late: check-out time is invariably 10 AM, and any extensions to this will have to be paid for.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Japan Hotels
All of Japan's cities have many western-style hotels, with famous-name chains well represented in all larger cities. Especially in peak tourist seasons, it is best to book far in advance.
First Class Hotels
Japan's finest hotels have all the facilities and amenities that you would rightfully expect at any world-class hotel. These top-end hotels cater to visiting corporate executives and other overseas guests who can afford deluxe or first-class accommodations. Services provided by English-speaking staff people include 'executive salon' secretarial services and access to computers and facsimile transmission equipment.
The restaurants in these hotels are counted among the finest in the major cities, with a variety of cuisines to choose from. From shopping malls and cocktail lounges to room service and interpreter service, these hotels can offer virtually everything the guest could want or need. Most of them provide direct limousine bus connections to the nearest international airports.
A double or twin room at a deluxe hotel will cost an average of 30,000 yen per night, and around 20,000 yen at a first-class hotel. All member hotels of the Japan Hotel Association maintain consistently high standards of service and facilities.
Business Hotels
A somewhat less expensive accommodation favored by many Japanese business travelers is the business hotel. As a rule, they are smaller hotels with fewer amenities, including no room service. Vending machines dispensing snacks and drinks are installed on guest room floors. There is usually one restaurant on the premises, and the hotel's location is conveniently close to a railway station.
Reception clerks and other staff people do not usually speak English, but the procedure for check-in and checkout is much like elsewhere. Since these hotels are patronized mainly by businessmen, the rooms are usually singles with bath. The room charge is 5,500 yen to 10,000 yen on average.
First Class Hotels
Japan's finest hotels have all the facilities and amenities that you would rightfully expect at any world-class hotel. These top-end hotels cater to visiting corporate executives and other overseas guests who can afford deluxe or first-class accommodations. Services provided by English-speaking staff people include 'executive salon' secretarial services and access to computers and facsimile transmission equipment.
The restaurants in these hotels are counted among the finest in the major cities, with a variety of cuisines to choose from. From shopping malls and cocktail lounges to room service and interpreter service, these hotels can offer virtually everything the guest could want or need. Most of them provide direct limousine bus connections to the nearest international airports.
A double or twin room at a deluxe hotel will cost an average of 30,000 yen per night, and around 20,000 yen at a first-class hotel. All member hotels of the Japan Hotel Association maintain consistently high standards of service and facilities.
Business Hotels
A somewhat less expensive accommodation favored by many Japanese business travelers is the business hotel. As a rule, they are smaller hotels with fewer amenities, including no room service. Vending machines dispensing snacks and drinks are installed on guest room floors. There is usually one restaurant on the premises, and the hotel's location is conveniently close to a railway station.
Reception clerks and other staff people do not usually speak English, but the procedure for check-in and checkout is much like elsewhere. Since these hotels are patronized mainly by businessmen, the rooms are usually singles with bath. The room charge is 5,500 yen to 10,000 yen on average.
Ryokan
Ryokan are found all across Japan, though for the best experience, you'd be wise to seek out one in a quiet residential district. Most ryokan are small buildings of no more than a dozen or so rooms, often built facing a small garden. There are some 58,000 ryokan in Japan, of which 1,400 are quality establishments belonging to the Japan Ryokan Association.
Although ryokan rates vary greatly, with a few very exclusive establishments charging high rates, charges are usually in the range of 12,000 yen to 20,000 yen per person, including two meals and excluding tax and service charges. For the budget traveler, there are more than 80 inns belonging to the Japanese Inn Group, which specializes in welcoming visitors from abroad. These inns are also quite economical, with room rates averaging around 5,000 yen per person, excluding meals.
Getting Acquainted with the Japanese Style
Guests are obliged to remove their shoes at the entrance of a ryokan or any other kind of Japanese-style accommodation. Slippers are worn inside, except on the tatami matting, so bring thick socks if the weather is cold.
A room in a ryokan is usually a single large, undivided room floored with traditional tatami (rice-straw matting), with the only piece of furniture being a single low table. Doors are shoji (sliding screens), and decoration will usually be one or two simple ink brush drawings or scrolls. Seating in the room is on cushions, called zabuton, arranged around the low table. In the winter season, there may be a blanket around the table. You slip your feet under the blanket for the warmth of a kotatsu electrical heating unit.
Guests sleep on futon (Japanese style bedding) laid out in the evening by maids after the evening meal. It ordinarily consists of a mattress, sheets, thick coverlet, and extra blankets if needed.
The typical lounging wear of a ryokan, a blue and white-patterned yukata (cotton robe) is also provided. In cold weather it is supplemented by a tanzen gown worn over it.
The toilet is usually Japanese-style. You don't sit on it but squat over it, facing the hooded end. Special slippers are usually provided for use only in the toilet cubicle.
Most ryokan will have a communal bath, which is generally for separate sex bathing. Numerous superb hot-spring resorts, known as onsen, are in fact ryokan built on the site of a hot spring. Before going into the communal bath, you disrobe in an anteroom, placing your robe and underclothing in a basket or shelf compartment. The inn gives you a hand-towel to drape over your midriff while standing up in the bathroom. This towel is also used for scrubbing and drying. To take a bath, first sit on a low stool in front of a pair of hot/cold water faucets. Fill a bath pan with water, and pour it over your body to get soaking wet all over. If there are no faucets, use a bath pan to scoop water from the bath. If shower outlets are available, shower while seated on the stool, never standing up. Soap and rinse off thoroughly. Only then do you get into the bath for a good soak.
Japan Ryokan Association
http://www.ryokan.or.jp
JAPAN RYOKAN ASSOCIATION KANSAI BRANCH
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/kinki/eng/
Japanese Inn Group
http://www.members.aol.com/jinngroup/
Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association
http://www.nikkanren.or.jp/english/
PT Group
http://www.pt-web.gr.jp
Although ryokan rates vary greatly, with a few very exclusive establishments charging high rates, charges are usually in the range of 12,000 yen to 20,000 yen per person, including two meals and excluding tax and service charges. For the budget traveler, there are more than 80 inns belonging to the Japanese Inn Group, which specializes in welcoming visitors from abroad. These inns are also quite economical, with room rates averaging around 5,000 yen per person, excluding meals.
Getting Acquainted with the Japanese Style
Guests are obliged to remove their shoes at the entrance of a ryokan or any other kind of Japanese-style accommodation. Slippers are worn inside, except on the tatami matting, so bring thick socks if the weather is cold.
A room in a ryokan is usually a single large, undivided room floored with traditional tatami (rice-straw matting), with the only piece of furniture being a single low table. Doors are shoji (sliding screens), and decoration will usually be one or two simple ink brush drawings or scrolls. Seating in the room is on cushions, called zabuton, arranged around the low table. In the winter season, there may be a blanket around the table. You slip your feet under the blanket for the warmth of a kotatsu electrical heating unit.
Guests sleep on futon (Japanese style bedding) laid out in the evening by maids after the evening meal. It ordinarily consists of a mattress, sheets, thick coverlet, and extra blankets if needed.
The typical lounging wear of a ryokan, a blue and white-patterned yukata (cotton robe) is also provided. In cold weather it is supplemented by a tanzen gown worn over it.
The toilet is usually Japanese-style. You don't sit on it but squat over it, facing the hooded end. Special slippers are usually provided for use only in the toilet cubicle.
Most ryokan will have a communal bath, which is generally for separate sex bathing. Numerous superb hot-spring resorts, known as onsen, are in fact ryokan built on the site of a hot spring. Before going into the communal bath, you disrobe in an anteroom, placing your robe and underclothing in a basket or shelf compartment. The inn gives you a hand-towel to drape over your midriff while standing up in the bathroom. This towel is also used for scrubbing and drying. To take a bath, first sit on a low stool in front of a pair of hot/cold water faucets. Fill a bath pan with water, and pour it over your body to get soaking wet all over. If there are no faucets, use a bath pan to scoop water from the bath. If shower outlets are available, shower while seated on the stool, never standing up. Soap and rinse off thoroughly. Only then do you get into the bath for a good soak.
Japan Ryokan Association
http://www.ryokan.or.jp
JAPAN RYOKAN ASSOCIATION KANSAI BRANCH
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/kinki/eng/
Japanese Inn Group
http://www.members.aol.com/jinngroup/
Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association
http://www.nikkanren.or.jp/english/
PT Group
http://www.pt-web.gr.jp
Japan Youth Hostels
There are some 360 Youth Hostels in Japan, offering clean and simple places to sleep at very low rates. A number of them are open to the public, but others are privately run and require membership in Japan Youth Hostels, Inc., or the International Youth Hostel Federation. You can join the latter either in your home country or through its Tokyo national headquarters, or purchase a guest card at the hostel. When the guest card is used six times it becomes a full membership. A membership purchased in Japan is valid worldwide except in your home country.
Despite the name, there are no age limits on youth hostel guests. Compared with other forms of accommodation, however, there are many more regulations, including an evening curfew; and preference may be given to younger guests in busy seasons. A youth hostel will usually cost about 2,800 yen to 3,000 yen per person, without meals.
Japan Youth Hostel Association
http://www.jyh.or.jp
Despite the name, there are no age limits on youth hostel guests. Compared with other forms of accommodation, however, there are many more regulations, including an evening curfew; and preference may be given to younger guests in busy seasons. A youth hostel will usually cost about 2,800 yen to 3,000 yen per person, without meals.
Japan Youth Hostel Association
http://www.jyh.or.jp
Japan Guest Houses
Minshuku
One way to cut costs while traveling in Japan, as well as have a chance to penetrate below the surface of the daily life you're passing through, is to check into a minshuku. The Japanese equivalent of guest-home type lodgings, minshuku are family-run businesses, with the rented rooms being part of the owners' own home. They are often found in choice resorts and vacation spots, and feature moderate rates.
As befits their "home industry" status, minshuku offer considerably fewer amenities than strictly professional establishments. Guests, for example, are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, just as a family member would.
Minshuku also don't provide the kinds of courtesies you can expect from a hotel or ryokan, such as towels and yukata. Minshuku rates are about 6,500 yen, which includes two meals, usually served family style.
Pension
Pension accommodations generally fall somewhere between the homey atmosphere of a minshuku and the more pampered amenities of a hotel.
They are usually found in areas popular for sports, such as near ski resorts and in mountains and their open-spirited philosophy and unrestricted management styles are usually very accommodating to anyone who is adaptable. The average cost for one night, without meals, is 8,000 yen, or 10,000 yen with two meals.
One way to cut costs while traveling in Japan, as well as have a chance to penetrate below the surface of the daily life you're passing through, is to check into a minshuku. The Japanese equivalent of guest-home type lodgings, minshuku are family-run businesses, with the rented rooms being part of the owners' own home. They are often found in choice resorts and vacation spots, and feature moderate rates.
As befits their "home industry" status, minshuku offer considerably fewer amenities than strictly professional establishments. Guests, for example, are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, just as a family member would.
Minshuku also don't provide the kinds of courtesies you can expect from a hotel or ryokan, such as towels and yukata. Minshuku rates are about 6,500 yen, which includes two meals, usually served family style.
Pension
Pension accommodations generally fall somewhere between the homey atmosphere of a minshuku and the more pampered amenities of a hotel.
They are usually found in areas popular for sports, such as near ski resorts and in mountains and their open-spirited philosophy and unrestricted management styles are usually very accommodating to anyone who is adaptable. The average cost for one night, without meals, is 8,000 yen, or 10,000 yen with two meals.
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