World Country Guide

Accommodation

Note
The Welcome Card (Culture Card) offers reductions for foreign visitors on accommodation, meals, shopping and entertainment. It is available free of charge at JNTO’s Tokyo Tourist Information Centres, or for 700 from information centres at Kansai International Airport, Kobe City Information Centre, Kyoto City Information Centre and Kyoto Prefectural Information Centre.

Hotels
Hotels are ‘Western’ or ‘Japanese’ style. Western-style accommodation (ranging from deluxe hotels to pensions) are much like any modern US or European hotel. Japanese-style hotels (ryokan) provide exciting new experiences: guests receive kimonos and wooden clogs and rooms come equipped with Japanese bathtubs and paper sliding doors. Many non-obligatory extras are available. Service charges of 10 to 20 per cent are added to the bill. For more details contact the Japan Ryokan Association (website: www.ryokan.or.jp). Further information about other Japanese accommodation can be obtained by contacting the Japan Hotel Association, Shin Otemachi Building, 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004 (tel: (3) 3279 2706; fax: (3) 3274 5375; website: www.j-hotel.or.jp); or Japan Hotel Network, Akae Machi, Hanagashima Cho, Miyazaki City 880-0036 (fax: (985) 833 479; e-mail: jhn@japanhotel.net; website: www.japanhotel.net); or the Japan National Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). For Tokyo Hotels specifically, contact the Tokyu Hotel Chain Co Ltd, 10-3 Nagata-Cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan (tel: (3) 3581 8655; fax: (3) 3264 0225; website: www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com). Grading: No accommodation grading system operates in Japan.

Guest-houses
Minshuku, often found in resorts and vacation spots, are the Japanese equivalent of guest home-type lodging. Rates are moderate, and visitors should expect considerably fewer amenities than ryokan or western-style hotels. Visitors are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, and towels are usually not provided. No shoes are worn in the house as slippers are provided. Small gifts or a five per cent tip may be given with the bill.

Youth Hostels
There are roughly 400 youth hostels throughout Japan. Many require visitors to be a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, although a guest card can be bought in advance at the Tokyo National Headquarters. Contact Japan Youth Hostels Inc, 2-20-7 Misaki-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006 (tel: (3) 3288 1417; fax: (3) 3288 1248; e-mail: info@jyh.jp; website: www.jyh.or.jp).

Pensions
These are ‘Bed & Breakfast’ style lodges which offer a comfortable atmosphere. They are often located near ski resorts, lakesides or in more rural areas. For further information contact the Japan National Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).

Shukubo
Some temples offer temple lodging (Shukubo). Guests may have to join in the routines of the monks (getting up early, chanting, doing chores etc) and facilities may be basic. The JNTO can provide a list (see Contact Addresses section).

Accommodation tax
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government enforces an ‘Accommodation Tax’ on hotels and inns around the city that charge over 10,000 per room. The tax is 100 on rooms costing between 10,000 and 14,999 per night, and 200 for rooms costing 15,000 and over. For more information check online (website: www.tax.metro.tokyo.jp).