Hokkaidō
This minshuku has tiny, no-fuss rooms and a great location – above a souvenir shop a couple of minutes' walk from the Ainu kotan. There is a wooden onsen…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Izu Peninsula
Next to the station, the Marseille adds a little je ne sais quoi to the standard business-hotel offering with well-maintained, pleasant rooms and a tea…
Western Honshū
This welcoming, neatly kept place next to Tonoshō's post office is a short walk from the ferry terminal. It has Japanese-style rooms with shared bathrooms…
Green Rich Hotel Osaka Airport
Osaka
Right across from Osaka airport and within walking distance if needed (though the hotel can arrange a shuttle bus) this friendly little hotel is the best…
Izu Peninsula
Part of the reliably adequate Toyoko Inn chain, the Atami branch has everything you need and nothing more. Some rooms have decent views, and the hotel is…
Osaka
This standard business hotel is a good choice for budget digs if you're looking to roll out of bed and be in the heart of Dōtombori. Rooms are small but…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This basic business hotel provides everything you'll need, albeit without much flair, but the staff are smiling and it's clean throughout. Free station…
Iwate Prefecture
Conveniently located two blocks from the train station, this relaxed business hotel caters primarily for single travellers. Rooms are on the small side,…
Hokkaidō
The Miyuki offers nothing fancy but is a convenient, friendly option for someone just needing to spend the night. Hallways have microwaves for cooking;…
Hokkaidō
Rebun's most upmarket option, with Western- and Japanese-style rooms, is usually full of tour groups. The big draw is the rotemburo (outdoor bath), which…
Osaka
A short walk from JR Osaka and Hankyū Umeda Stations in Kita, the Ritz-Carlton has palatial, classically decorated rooms. Amenities include a pool, a…
Himeji
Himeji's top hotel has a dated kind of elegance but spacious rooms and reliably good service. There's a fitness centre with pool, well-equipped gym and…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Built in 2013 the low-rise Accommo Inn has modern rooms with soft colours, quality linen, small desks and lots of natural light. The complimentary…
Tōyoko Inn Hakodate Eki-mae Asaichi
Hokkaidō
This budget chain staple is only three minutes on foot from JR Hakodate Station. Free breakfast is served, though you may want to splurge for the great…
Around Tokyo
Spot this hotel just up the road from Motomachi port by its red front gate. Family-run, it offers tatami rooms and an onsen, as well as a rotemburo …
Niigata Prefecture
This is a fairly typical midrange onsen hotel, with both indoor and outdoor baths available for a post-ski soak. A free shuttle bus is available from…
Kyūshū
Near Shimabara Station, this kindly 42-room tower has communal baths with wooden tubs (in addition to in-room baths), a sauna, and Japanese-style…
Hokkaidō
A well-set-up little hut near the start of the Poroshiri-dake climb, with showers, a bath, a coin laundry and meals. It runs a shuttle to the start of the…
Tōyoko Inn Kanazawa Kenroku-en Kōrinbō
Kanazawa
About 15 minutes' walk from both Katamachi and JR Kanazawa Station you'll find this business hotel with clean, cheap and cheerful little rooms and a free…
La Soeur Fukuoka Hotel Monterey
Fukuoka
A popular wedding spot, this 182-room property has a prime location and well-appointed rooms with contemporary French touches and parquet floors. Check…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Friendly, English-speaking owners and a fine location within walking distance of shops and restaurants make Wakaba the pick of the town's ryokan. Rooms…
Western Honshū
This modern hotel has stylish rooms with geometric artworks and an understated palette. It's in a good location in the centre of Yamaguchi at the base of…
Kyūshū
This campground, about 5km from Kurokawa Onsen, is essentially a lush, sloping green field with inspirational views and a kitchen area. Rustic bungalows…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Well located for hiking in the Urabandai region, this recently renovated hotel has a dozen small but pristine rooms, a light-filled dining room and a…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Shirabu Onsen is a tiny village 20km from Yonezawa, up a winding mountain road. This ryokan is a delight, especially in winter, though rooms are a little…
Central Honshū
This homestyle inn at the southern end of town enjoys a picturesque outlook. There are three small guest rooms and a common bath in a building that's over…
Central Honshū
Close to Meitetsu Gifu Station, this pleasant business hotel has rooms with a splash of colour. Windows overlook the station and the neat warren of…
Miyajima
This hostel with attached cafe is not actually on Miyajima, but is a good budget base just a short walk from the mainland ferry terminal in Miyajima-guchi…
Kyūshū
This convenient option is just a minute's walk from the train station. It has a selection of Western and Japanese rooms, and some floors are entirely…
Izu Peninsula
Neat Japanese-style rooms in a sprawling family home. The owners speak next to no English but are friendly and welcoming, and the central location is…
Fuji Five Lakes
Popular old lodging with small tatami rooms, one with mountain views. Limited English is spoken. It's an eight minute walk south from Shimoyoshida Station.
Toyoko Inn Tokachi Obihiro Ekimae
Hokkaidō
A three-minute walk from the north exit of JR Obihiro Station, this outlet of the reliable budget chain has free parking and breakfast, and a coin laundry.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Across the street and to the right as you exit the train station, this business hotel has pleasant, well-maintained modern rooms and a professional staff.
Around Tokyo
A good quality capsule hotel with facilities for both men and women. Just five minutes' walk uphill south of the port; look for the green porch out front.
Nagano Region
This hotel was built for Olympic guests and features large, Western-style rooms, including impressive junior suites. Excellent rates can be found online.
Himeji
Cheap and reliable, a couple of minutes' walk from the south side of JR Himeji Station. Included in the room rate is a simple Japanese-style breakfast.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
In the main commercial area, a 10-minute walk from the train station, this business hotel has compact, state-of-the-art rooms and on-site onsen baths.
Toyoko Inn Okhotsk Abashiri Eki-mae
Hokkaidō
Directly opposite JR Abashiri Station, this is the nicest of Abashiri's business hotels. Simple, but clean and convenient, with free breakfast.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This par-for-the-course business hotel adjacent to Takaoka Station has clean, serviceable rooms with all the amenities a weary traveller needs.
Naoshima
Basic, clean and cheap dormitory accommodation just back from Miyanoura Port. Some English is spoken. Look for the bright blue building.
