Unusual Accommodations to Experience in Japan
Planning a trip to Japan and wanting to punctuate your stay with unusual experiences? To make your journey unforgettable
Planning a trip to Japan and wanting to punctuate your stay with unusual experiences? To make your journey unforgettable, we suggest sleeping in accommodations that are as unique as they come. Capsule hotels, Love Hotels, stays in Buddhist temples, traditional Japanese inns or nights in a library… Discover 5 unusual accommodations to experience in Japan.
1. Sleep in a Capsule Hotel
The Capsule Hotel is undoubtedly Japan's most well-known atypical accommodation. Invented in the late 1970s, this type of lodging was originally designed for salarymen, people who missed their train, or those seeking a room late at night. Today, capsule hotels are no longer limited to a specific clientele and are now accessible to both locals and tourists seeking an unusual experience and affordable accommodation.
The concept is simple: sleep in a capsule roughly two meters long and one meter wide, furnished with just a bed, an alarm clock, and sometimes a television. Capsules are closed off by a curtain, and shared facilities are provided for bathrooms and dining. With relatively spartan comfort, this type of lodging is mainly suited for short stays. It's also ideal accommodation for budget-conscious travelers, as prices are roughly twice cheaper than standard hotels.
Note Most capsule hotels are not co-ed. There are floors designated for women and floors for men. Some are exclusively for men or women. |
2. Sleep in a Love Hotel
Another unusual and distinctly Japanese accommodation: the Love Hotel. Frequented by all age groups and extremely popular in Japan, Love Hotels allow couples to spend quality time together and find intimacy away from family life. They're easily recognizable by the fact that you can book a room by the hour (one hour, two hours or more) or for the night.
Far from the stereotypes that Westerners may have about such establishments, they feature spacious and highly comfortable rooms, decorated imaginatively and equipped with numerous amenities (plasma screens, jacuzzi bathtubs, adult accessories…). All at remarkably reasonable prices. Discretion and privacy are the watchwords of these hotels, as it's rare to encounter staff or other guests. In some cases, you can even book via machine to collect your room keys.
Good to know As they're not designed for tourist stays, Love Hotels rarely offer multiple-night reservations. In short, sleeping in a Love Hotel can be fun to try the experience as a couple. |
3. Sleep in a Ryokan
Looking for authentic accommodation for your trip to Japan? Then you must stay in a ryokan. These traditional Japanese inns, whether family-run or luxurious, are often built as wooden houses with beautiful gardens. Rooms feature tatami mats on the floor where futons are laid out for sleeping.
A stay in a ryokan revolves around several key moments rooted in Japanese tradition. You'll be invited to relax in an onsen or one of the indoor or outdoor baths at the establishment, if it's not located near hot spring sources. Note that baths are co-ed, and before entering, you must rinse off in a preliminary bathing area.
After a moment of relaxation in the thermal waters, you'll then enjoy a delicious, refined, and distinctly Japanese meal. Called kaiseki ryôri, this traditional multi-course meal consists of local dishes (miso soup, rice, grilled or raw fish, seasonal vegetables, tofu…). Dinner and breakfast are usually included in the price of a night at a ryokan. One thing is certain: it's the perfect place to unwind and discover traditional Japanese customs.
4. Sleep in a Shukubo (Buddhist Temple)
Interested in immersing yourself in the daily life of Japanese Buddhist monks? That's what Shukubos offer. Literally translated as "sleeping with the monks,
