Weekly Mansions in Japan/Tokyo Click here to start searching

A weekly mansion is accommodation you can rent out for a week at a time. In English, the name mansion has a slightly more positive connotation than in Japanese. A weekly mansion is therefore not a ‘mansion’ but a humble abode made of reinforced concrete which includes a kitchen and a bath.

Weekly mansions are not exactly spacious and are usually about 20 to 30m2. Most of the weekly mansions web sites are in Japanese, but there are some in English
- Komikomi
- Weekly Mansion Tokyo
- Tiger House

Many of the weekly mansions are slightly out of central Tokyo such as Asakusa, Kanda, Sugamo, Yokohama etc. However, there are some that have mansions in central areas like Gotanda.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Capsule Hotels Click here to search

Costs: Approximately 2,000-4,000 yen
Benefits: Convenient and cheap
Negatives: A bit claustrophobic

Although capsule hotels are quintessentially Japanese, the first capsule hotel was only built in 1979 by a chap in Osaka by the name of Kisho Kurokawa. The rates were a bit lower back then at about 1,600 yen.

Capsule hotels are often used by drunk busines-men, otherwise known as salary men, who realize too late they can’t make the last train home. I’ve seen quite a few of these staggering cases after a big night out at hostess bars or drinking sessions at Izakayas. I’ve also had a few friends stay there who thought it was practical to save a few bucks.

Many of the capsule hotels only accept men, but there are some which are exclusive to women. They have a communal bath where you can get naked with all the other guys who didn’t quite make it home.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Youth Hostel Accommodation   Click here to start searching

Number of youth hostels in Japan:   360
Pricing: 2,800-3,000 yen/night without meals
Other info: There is a curfew and preference may be given to younger guests in peak season

According to the Japan National Tourist Organization there are approximately 360 youth hostels in Japan. Not all of them are public with some requiring membership to either the Japan Youth Hostels Inc.  or the International Youth Hostel Federation.

How to join? You can join the International Youth Hostel Federation in your own country or through its headquarters in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can buy a guest card at the hostel. If you have a guest card and use it six times it automatically becomes a full membership.

Most people associate Youth Hostels with young people, however there are no age limits on youth hostel guests.

Relevant links:
Japan Youth Hostel Association
Japan National Tourist Organization

Popularity: 2% [?]

Guesthouse Accommodation Click here to start searching

A ‘Guest House’ is an apartment or a shared house. They are also known as ‘Gaijin’ (Foreigner) houses because foreigners make up most of the clientelle, but Japanese locals are starting to cotton on that it’s a pretty cheap way to rent.

At most guesthouses you have your own room but have to share other facilities such as the kitchen, toilet and bathroom.

The rent at Guest Houses can range anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 yen and the minimum length of stay is usually one month. Most places will require you to have a copy of your passport with your Visa details.

Popularity: 2% [?]

RYOKANS Click here to start searching

Japanese character: りょうかん　－　旅館
Number of Ryokans in Japan: 55, 567
Snapshot: Get charged for 1 night and get 2 meals, tatami mats, pure Japanese atmosphere

A Ryokan is a tradition Japanese Inn, of which approximately 55,567 exist in Japan. Ryokan history dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867) when the shogun created places of rest (ryokan) for daimyo (overlords) to rest and eat on long journeys. The daimyo would travel in large numbers, making it difficult to sustain their power and energy; the shogun created 5 major highways (gokaidou) for the purpose of keeping the overlords well fed and energized.

Ryokans in Japan are known for their high quality of service and their pure Japanese atmosphere and service.

According to the Japan Ryokan Association (JRA), as of March 2006, there were approximately 55,567 Ryokans in Japan with the capacity for 418,529 guests and over 850,000 rooms; 14,000 of which belong to the JRA.

Popularity: 3% [?]