There are many accommodation choices in Japan. From western-style 5-star luxury hotels around Tokyo and other big cities, to small town lodgings owned by local families that provide a taste of the real Japan accommodation. Among the largest cities in the world, the capital city of Tokyo is where most visitors arrive. There are small western-style hotels for traveling businessmen, where drinks and snacks are dispensed by vending machines. A smaller no-frills variation is a capsule containing a bed, plus shared bath, locker, and television.
The 4-star Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa is surrounded by quiet Japanese gardens, a welcome respite in fast-paced Tokyo. Hostels and dormitories are available in Tokyo and Osaka, offering low-budget lodging usually in older buildings. A Minshuku is family-run bed and breakfast lodging with some meals included, while a Ryokan is the traditional Japanese bed and breakfast inn experience. Pensions are a western-style equivalent of Minshuku.
For extended-stay travelers, apartments can be rented at guesthouses for foreign tourists in several cities. Guesthouses can be rented for a week or month through several companies, who offer shared or private rooms either in western or Japanese style.
The sub-tropical island of Okinawa is usually the warmest area in Japan, where beach accommodations can be found. The Busena Terrace Beach Resort Okinawa is a secluded 5-star hotel with 394 rooms, a sitting area with a beautiful ocean view, and several restaurants. For a really different experience, visitors can stay on a buddhist temple at Mount Koya and other sites.
