After a busy day of sightseeing, you return to your accommodation. You step inside and leave the street noise behind. Removing your shoes, you pad in your sock feet across the tatami flooring to the lounge where a selection of tea and rice crackers have been laid out. Before you head to your room, the staff lets you know that your kaiseki dinner will be served in an hour.

Japan is known for its attentive service, and with the right accommodation, you can get a true feel for Japanese hospitality. Read on to learn more about the different types of accommodation you can experience in Japan, and what to expect at each. My aim here is to set expectations: with the right mindset and expectations, all of these accommodations are an absolutely amazing experience!

Hotels

Especially in big, modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka, hotels are the most common accommodation option. All city hotels that I recommend to my clients are located close to a train station, and are safe, clean, and comfortable. The big difference in price at a hotel will be room size.

Check out this post on where to stay in Tokyo.

Setting Expectations

Japanese-owned hotels tend to have smaller rooms than what you find in the US, and the most common bed setup is 2 twin beds. Amenities at locally owned hotels cater to domestic tourists, so you’re more likely to find a sento (bathhouse) on the property than a pool.

More information on hotels and room types on this post about Japanese hotels.

Ryokan

A ryokan stay is such a unique experience to Japan, and I highly recommend a ryokan stay for almost all of my clients. Unlike a hotel, a ryokan stay is an experience in itself, and the name of the game here is eating, bathing, and relaxing.

When you enter a ryokan, just like in a Japanese house, you’ll need to remove your shoes. You will wear your provided yukata (lightweight cotton kimono) inside the ryokan, on the grounds, and to dinner. At a ryokan, a multi-course dinner and traditional breakfast will be included, as will unlimited entry to the onsen, or hot springs. More on onsen etiquette here. Traditionally, ryokan would provide futon mattresses for each guest, but in modern ryokan there are options for Western-style beds as well.

Setting Expectations

While the ryokan experience is absolutely incredible, there are many differences that you need to be aware of. As I mentioned above, bedding is one difference you’ll need to keep in mind when looking for a ryokan stay. There are plenty of great options that include both Western-style beds and futon options.

Another point to keep in mind is the food: with dinner and breakfast included, dietary restrictions and food allergies can limit where you will be able to stay. Ryokan that are used to welcoming foreign tourists are generally able to modify meals, but many properties in more rural areas will not be able to accommodate any dietary restrictions and will not allow someone with dietary restrictions to make a reservation. This isn’t aimed to discriminate, but is a concern about not being able to offer the best service and food possible.

Finally, the onsen baths: traditional onsen are gender separate, nude bathing. For those uncomfortable with a public onsen, many ryokan offer rooms with en-suite onsen baths, or with family baths that can be reserved privately by the hour. Please note that en-suite baths are found only in high-end ryokan with a price tag to match.

Family stays: for larger family groups, it is common in Japan for rooms to be shared with multiple futon mattresses. It is very uncommon for a ryokan room to be booked for single occupancy. Some ryokan do not allow younger children to stay, while other ryokan properties are very family friendly, with a game room for kids, and special children's meals.

Location: while there are plenty of ryokan in Kyoto, I would recommend a ryokan stay for just a night or 2 in a rural location.

Minshuku

Similar to a ryokan, a minshuku is a traditional property with tatami flooring and futon mattresses, and kaiseki dinner and full breakfasts included. The main difference between a minshuku and ryokan is that minshuku will not have onsen baths, though they may have a sento (public bath with heated water rather than mineral-rich onsen water).

For visitors to Japan, the most common place to stay in a minshuku would be during a multi-day hike in a rural area, such as the Kumano Kodo.

Setting Expectations

Minshuku are generally in old houses, so thinner walls, creaky flooring, and the occasional bug are pretty par for the course. Some properties have en-suite bathrooms, but others have shared facilities.

Shukubo

A shukubo is an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple. These stays range from private hotel-style rooms to a futon in a shared room, but the big draw here is the experience: you will get to learn firsthand about Japanese Buddhism, including seeing and taking part in early morning meditation sessions, sutra copying, and eating shojin ryori, or monk food.

Setting Expectations

Just like minshuku, shukubo accommodations are generally in older buildings with everything that entails. Meals here are traditional monk food, which is tofu and vegetable based, though often fish stock is used for seasoning.

Machiya

In cities and towns with historical neighborhoods, such as Kyoto and Kanazawa, a machiya stay is a great option. Machiya are refurbished townhomes that can be booked as a vacation rental, with fully equipped kitchens and no meals included. Machiya are a great option for larger groups, but there are also options for couples and smaller groups. Machiya often have a more traditional style bathrooms, and a small garden.

Setting Expectations

When booking machiya, do be aware of location, as not all properties will be public transportation-friendly. And as mentioned above, these are historic townhomes which have been refurbished with modern amenities, but may not have blackout blinds and will not be as temperature-controlled as a modern hotel.

Capsule

Capsule hotels gained popularity in Japan with business travelers, who just needed a place to sleep. More recently, capsule hotels are popular with budget travelers and those wanting to try just one night in this unique style of accommodation.

Capsules are generally gender-separated, with dorm-style bathrooms and showers, a locker room for your belongings, and a room of pods for sleeping. Meals are not included, and eating is not allowed inside the capsule hotel.

Setting Expectations

While staying at a capsule can be a unique and cost-effective night, there are definitely some inconveniences to keep in mind. Capsules don’t have sound-proof doors, meaning you will hear snoring and hallway sounds from other guests.

While some capsules have pods or rooms that are a bit bigger than a single sized mattress, most do not have any space to change or store belongings, so you will need to dress and store your suitcase in a common locker room.

Children under the age of 20 are generally not allowed at any capsule hotel.