Accomodation
now that you arrived in japan you might want to find a place to stay. you have several options depending on how much money you are able to spend. since this is a guide for budget travellers you’ll only find places that are ranging below 5,000Yen per night and person.
::good value::
so you’ve got some money left, maybe you want to check out the following.
business hotels
Business hotels are often the cheapest hotels in town. They aim at japanese business men and offer small but clean rooms. Usually they are western style rooms. The rooms are nothing special regarding their looks but facilities like Internet etc. are standard which is a big plus.
Almost every city has business hotels and in rural areas or lesser known cities those hotels are a good option. In cities like Tokyo you’ll find a big range of business hotels that vary in price. The cheapest ones start at about 4,000 Yen per person and night. Also interesting for couples or friends who want to share a double room since double rooms are only a little bit more expensive than single rooms. Sometimes, if you’re lucky you can even book a single room for two people!
capsule hotel
so you wanna try the infamous japanese capsule hotel?
Capsule hotels are famous for their economy-sized accommodation with endless rows of “capsules” (one can also say holes in the wall) that contain a bed and television. Staying in a capsule hotel might be an interesting experience for tourists. For couples though capsule hotels are not the best thing to choose. Also capsule hotels tend to be crowded with japanese business men who missed their last train or live far away from their working place. But still it’s a cheap option and there are capsule hotels that offer a ‘room’ for 3,000 Yen per night. As the capsules are small, one has to use communal bathing facilities. Also make sure that your capsule hotel of choice accepts foreigners because there are quite a few which only accept japanese citizens.
minshuku
minshuku are usually run by families and can be found in rural areas. There are a few near big cities though. Usually they are cheaper than Ryokan and less formal. the prices range from 4,000 to 9,000 Yen per night and person and a traditional japanese meal is often included too. Usually you’ll eat together with the family in the dining on low japanese tables. You also have the option to exclude the meals if you wish to save money.
check out this comprehensive list of minshuku in Japan:
http://www.minshuku.jp/english/list.html
temples (shukubo)
it is possible for tourist to spend one or several nights at temples. they price varies between 3,000 Yen and 10,000 Yen per night and person. speaking a bit of japanese helps when you’re interested in going with this option.
here you can find some shukubo websites in english:
http://templelodging.com/contents/english.html
::cheap::
your budget is tight? okay, check that!
gaijin house / guest house
This is basically the keyword for all those who want to stay for cheap in Japan be it just for a few days or a couple of months. There are plenty of guest houses in the Tokyo area, a few ones in the other bigger cities. You won’t find them in rural areas though. Basically guest house means having an own private room in western or japanese style, sometimes not bigger than a broom closet. Usually facilities like kitchen and bathroom/toilets are shared between all guests that live in the house. The size of guest houses varies, there are small ones and big ones and even chains who offer guest houses in different locations. Guest houses are a great place for networking, you’ll meet all different kind of people. Prices for a single room vary between 2,000 and 3,000 Yen. Often you get a discount when staying longer like for 2 weeks or one month. But beware: Some guest houses charge a deposit (usually 10,000 or 20,000 Yen) which you will get back at the end of your stay, set the case you didn’t burn down the house.
youth hostel
you also might want to consider staying at a youth hostel, especially if you have a youth hostel association card. Normally Youth Hostels are separated into same-sex dormitories. Prices are between 2,000 Yen and 3,000 Yen per night. A big disadvatage of youth hostels are the strict rules and the curfew (usually around 10pm).
for more info check out the official website of the Japan Youth Hostel Association: http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html
::very cheap::
You think there is no way to get a bed for under 2,000 Yen per night? We prove you wrong.
Dormitory
Many guest houses also offer dormitory style rooms. Usually it costs between 800 and 1,300 Yen. If you don’t mind sleeping in a room with other people you should consider this.
Netroom
That’s a pretty new thing in Tokyo. Netrooms are small rooms (usually 1 tatami mat size) equipped with computer, internet access, tv and reclining chair or matress. They are really popular among businessmen and working poor so it is a bit difficult to get in, so maybe you should book in advance. The cheapest room with TV but without internet and computer costs 1,800 Yen but you should bring your own matress or sleeping bag because it seems that it is not provided. If you choose to stay one week or longer you can also get a discount. For more info check out their website (japanese only): http://netroom.222.co.jp/
Internetcafe
Yes you can spend your night there too. Usually they are open 24/7 and many of them offer so called night packs. Night pack time is mostly 10 or 11 pm to 7 or 8 am. If you’re lucky you can get night packs for 800 Yen. A normal rate is 1,000 Yen. You’ll have your own little booth, so there is at least a little privacy. In your booth you will find computer with internet connection, a TV, sometimes a game console too. Moreover you can read manga, get drinks for free the whole night and sometimes there are even shower rooms where you can get a quick shower. Everything is all inclusive. You’ll have to sleep on the reclining chair though which is okay for one night but you might consider another place to stay if you want to stay longer.
Crib
Another tiny solution. Cribs can be found in several places around Tokyo. Basically you’ll live in a closet. The ‘rooms’ are 1 or 2 tatami mats in size. Basically it’s just for sleeping. I have no idea if you can rent them daily but the monthly rate is between 27,000 and 30,000 Yen – that’s 1,000 Yen a day or even less! So if you’re not claustrophobic you should check it out.
Camping
There are hundreds of campsites in Japan and they’re really cheap too. Their prices range from 200 to 1,000 Yen per night. The problem is the difficult access and usually they are in remote or rural areas. Camping wild is illegal in Japan but you could try it anyway – just make sure you pitch your tent in the late evening and leave in the early morning hours.
For a list of campsites click here: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-804.pdf
::shit i’ve got no money at all!::
Don’t panic. aside from sleeping in the park (an okayish option in the summer) there are still a few options left.
Couchsurfing
Crash someone’s couch for zero. Okay, you might consider buying a little present for your host but in general it’s free. Couchsurfing began in 1993 and it was aimed to link people all over the globe and provide free accomodation for travellers within the couchsurfing network. People who have a spare room/bed/couch/space and don’t mind visitors crashing their couch are listed on http://www.couchsurfing.com. Usually couchsurfers are hosts and surfers at the same time. It’s a system of give and take and it works great. You should plan a bit in advance to contact potential hosts and ask if they are willing to let you stay at their home and how long they allow you to stay.
WWOOFing
Willing Workers on Organic Farms. This volunteering scheme is a great opportunity to experience Japan and the Japanese way of life and culture. And the best thing: it is almost free!
WWOOF members are usually organic farms, restaurants, small family-run shops etc. They all are environmentally friendly.
Usually hosts are located in the rural areas of Japan but you’ll find a few which are located in or near bigger cities as well. As each host is different you’ll have to make your own experience. Each host has a profile that states all things you need to know, for example language abilities, working hours etc.
WWOOFing works like this: You work for 4-6 hours a day and your host will accomodate and provide meals. With this program you will be able to experience the real life routine. This is also a good opportunity to brush up your japanese.
However, to access the WWOOF hosts list you have to be a member of the WWOOF organisation. The membership fee is 4,000 Yen per year. You’ll get a membership card, the host list with contact details and you’ll receive alerts whenever a new host joins the network. If you’re interested in a particular host so keep in mind to contact him early enough so your chances are higher that he is not ‘booked’ by other WWOOFers.
Check the official website for more: http://www.wwoofjapan.com/main/
