Central Honshū
The street frontage of this former merchant house (built 1818) has been beautifully preserved. The site is now home to a pleasant 10-room inn, with guest…
Must-see hotels in Central Honshū
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This foreign-run backpackers has decent budget bunk rooms, simple double rooms and a nice communal area with a wood stove. It's close to the nightlife in…
Nagano Region
This popular foreign-run guesthouse attracts lots of Aussie skiers – everything is set up with exactly what you need. It's a friendly, fun place with bunk…
Nagano Region
On the main road in the middle of Obuse, this little guesthouse boasts immaculate Japanese-style tatami rooms. It's only a couple of minutes' walk to the…
Central Honshū
In the centre of Ogimachi, Kōemon has five rooms with heated floors, dark-wood panelling and shared bathrooms. The fifth-generation owner speaks English…
Kanazawa
Around the corner from JR Kanazawa Station, this popular, modern tourist hotel has well-designed, functional rooms, a calcium-rich rotemburo (outdoor bath…
Central Honshū
Delightfully well kept, compact and comfortable, Nakashimaya Ryokan is between the train station and the Tourist Association. There's an organic cafe next…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Most of the elegant Western- or Japanese-style rooms here have great views and are comfortably appointed, although this towering ryokan is showing its age…
Central Honshū
A short walk from Kiso-Fukushima Station, this ryokan offers simple Japanese-style rooms in a low-key, foreigner-friendly setting. The historic district…
Magome
This pleasant historical inn has compact rooms and friendly staff. The array of local specialities served in the common dining area is impressive, as are…
Nagano Region
Adjacent to Nagano Station, the Metropolitan has elegant rooms that are spacious by Japanese standards. There's a cafe, a restaurant and a top-floor…
Nagano Region
Only two minutes' walk from the north exit of JR Karuizawa Station, this neat business hotel is a great choice if you're here to shop and looking for…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Take the local noranke bus (¥100) or Nishiho bus (direction Zōza, 雑座) to Sodegahama, or hike for 20 minutes to reach this beachfront campground.
Nagano Region
Chalet Shiga is convenient to the slopes and has a popular sports bar on-site. Both Western- and Japanese-style rooms are available, plus onsen and sauna.
Central Honshū
Adjoining JR Takasaki Station, this hotel is Takasaki's most stylish and convenient, with excellent views from higher floors, and well-appointed rooms.
Tsumago
Showing signs of age, this is one of Tsumago's most historic lodgings (parts date from 1804). It has large tatami rooms and plenty of authentic charm.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
With decent-size rooms and great views from the upper floors, this modern harbourside tourist hotel has all you need if you're passing through.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Toyama's fanciest place to stay has 210 rooms in a variety of configurations and two restaurants. Rooms on higher floors have fantastic views.
Central Honshū
The owner of this welcoming four-room inn will demonstrate the sasara, a serpentine traditional percussion instrument, upon request.
Central Honshū
To reach the small Hirayu Camping Ground, turn right from the bus station – it's about 700m ahead, on the left.
Central Honshū
You can't get much more rustic than this 350-year-old place in the centre of Ainokura village.
Matsumoto
A lack of English-speaking staff at this upscale ryokan in Utsukushi-ga-hara Onsen may be its only drawback for non-Japanese speakers. With some…
Central Honshū
Tiny Kiten, right on the Nagawa-kawa, is a welcoming place to rest your head. Cosy (read: small) Japanese-style tatami rooms set in a refurbished 50-year…
Takayama
This sparkly place has caused a stir on the Takayama hostel scene. All rooms, including dorms, have private bathroom, TV and wi-fi. There's a kitchen and…
Guesthouse Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae
Nagoya
The lobby could use a good clear-out, but this guesthouse is still a great place to meet fellow travellers from around the world. It offers some of Nagoya…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Open year-round, Hakuba's largest resort occupies over 10 hectares of forest in the northern part of the village, close to the Tsugaike Highland Ski Area…
Inuyama International Youth Hostel
Central Honshū
This large hostel with a variety of room types and communal bathing is a little isolated but reasonably priced, and the proprietor (a Japanese Cosmo…
Nagoya
Perched above Nagoya Station, the mammoth Marriott Associa takes a while to get in/out and around. The 774 spacious rooms (all 35 sq metres or larger) are…
Nagoya
A short walk north of Kanayama Station in a pleasant residential block, this former ryokan with an interior Japanese garden has been nicely remodelled to…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
It's a 3½-hour hike from Bettōdeai to this basic mountain lodge, which is usually packed at the height of the midsummer hiking season, when you'll get…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This massive older hotel on the eastern side of Hakuba Station has sensational views over the Hakuba range and a great indoor-outdoor onsen, but it's away…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Waterfront minshuku (guesthouse) Yokoiwaya has welcomed guests for over 150 years. It's known for sumptuous seafood dinners that rival kaiseki (Japanese…
Central Honshū
Run by friendly owners, this is a good deal despite the mishmash of odd decor (stuffed animals, fake flowers and the like). Go for the upstairs rooms with…
Nagano Region
Knowledgeable, English-speaking hosts oversee this terrific homestyle retreat where guests stay in clean, simple rooms ideal for families. It's good value…
Central Honshū
This attractive hotel by the train station has Western- and Japanese-style rooms, most with bath and toilet, as well as a pretty common bath. Meals…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Popular with families, this casual boutique hotel has spacious rooms with neutral decor and its own bar and restaurant. It has a good location in Echoland…
Central Honshū
The most appealing features of this above-average business hotel about 10 minutes' walk west of the train station are its exceptionally friendly and…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This comfortable business hotel is a good resting point if you're driving to the Noto Peninsula from Toyama or Gokayama. It's in the car park of a…
Central Honshū
A short walk from JR Takasaki Station on an elevated walkway, this business hotel has friendly staff, comfortable beds and oddly large TVs for its…
