When traveling in Japan, you will find a wide variety of accommodation,
ranging from luxurious to cheap, western or Japanese style.
In the Seto Inland Sea Area, the big cities offer the whole
spectrum, but on the islands, you will mainly find small-scale
facilities - inexpensive, sometimes offering very simple style.
It is worth trying Japanese style accommodation at least once
to experience not only the richness of Japanese cuisine, but
also the lifestyle without shoes, with tatami (traditional Japanese
mats made from woven straw), futon and Japanese style bath.
Below is an introduction to the types of accommodation you will
find with examples. |
Ryokan are the
main type of Japanese style accommodation; they vary largely
in price and service. Prices normally include dinner and breakfast.
From about 10.000 Yen, you can find a comfortable tatami room
with individual bath and two delicious Japanese meals. Some
Ryokan offer buffet style breakfast, which includes western
food like bread, bacon and eggs. Even if you have a bath in
your room, you really shouldn't miss the chance to take an invigorating
and relaxing dip in the large common bath - sometimes outdoor
baths are also available.
Resort Hotels in
Western style are quite expensive and can mainly be found close
to the Kansai Area, especially on Awaji Island. Some of them
are situated in beautiful locations. Look for off-season bargains
on their Websites. Examples: Naoshima, Hiroshima
Minshuku are simple
Japanese accommodation facilities, often run by farmers or fishermen,
which ensures good, fresh food. In the Seto Inland Sea Area,
this normally includes a large variety of seafood. The tatami
style rooms have almost no furniture and no individual bathrooms
or baths. Prices including two meals range between 5-8000 Yen.
Examples: Shiraishi
Pensions are the
cheaper version of Western style accommodation. They are mainly
situated in mountain areas, but you will find a few in the Seto
Inland Sea Area. They offer family-style atmosphere and food;
prices vary around 7-9000 Yen. Examples: Setoda
Lodges include mainly
facilities run by prefectures, towns or villages. Some public
Japanese style lodges are located in National Parks and offer
spacious rooms for reasonable prices (Yuge). Others make use
of old schools (Omishima). In Okayama prefecture, you will find
the International Villas (Shiraishi), interestingly designed
buildings in beautiful locations were foreigners can not only
stay cheaply but also cook their own meals.
Camping can be found
close to some beaches (Setoda, Miyajima, Shodoshima). Campsites
often offer rental tents and equipment. In Setoda, you will
also find a log-house campsite affiliated to the KOA-Group.
Off-site camping is not allowed in Japan. |
Links:
The following groups offer affordable and comfortable accommodation
for foreigners:
Japanese Inn Group:
http://www.jpinn.com/
Welcome Inn Group:
http://www.itcj.or.jp/
Okayama International Villa Group
http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/middle.htm |