Unique Stays in Japan: A Guide from Capsule Hotels to Traditional Ryokans

Traveling in Japan offers more than just beautiful scenery and delicious food; the accommodations themselves can be a unique experience. From world-famous capsule hotels to traditional inns steeped in history, and even highly personalized stays filled with wonder and emotion—a diverse array of lodging awaits you.

In this feature, we introduce carefully selected unique accommodation options across Japan. Find the perfect place for an unforgettable night that matches your travel style and preferences!

1. Advanced Capsule Hotels: Pursuing Comfort and Functionality

Japanese capsule hotels are no longer just ‘small sleeping pods.’ In recent years, ‘advanced capsule hotels’ have emerged, significantly enhancing the comfort and functionality of private spaces.

• First Cabin: Known for spacious individual rooms that evoke the feeling of a first-class airplane cabin. They offer both cabin-style and private room options, including dedicated areas for women.

  • Features: Spacious environment, comprehensive amenities, robust security measures
  • Recommended For: Business travelers, solo female trips, or general peace of mind during solo travel

• Nine Hours: A stylish capsule hotel based on the concept of ‘9h,’ specializing in three essential activities: showering, sleeping, and getting ready.

  • Features: Simple and sophisticated design, high-quality bedding, comfortable showers
  • Recommended For: Short stays, or those staying in urban areas

• Luxury Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado: Attractive for its comprehensive shared facilities, including large public baths (onsen), saunas, and lounges.

  • Features: Mediterranean-style interior design, abundant free services (drinks, snacks, etc.)
  • Recommended For: Long-term stays or when you need to relax completely

• BOOK AND BED TOKYO: A hostel concepted as a ‘bookstore for sleeping.’ Beds are placed among bookshelves, offering the unique experience of sleeping surrounded by literature.

  • Features: Large collection of books, stylish interior design, café space
  • Recommended For: Book lovers or those seeking a truly unique experience

Tips for Choosing a Capsule Hotel:

• Room Size: Sizes vary greatly, from standard capsule types to those resembling private rooms.
• Shared Facilities: Check the quality of shared facilities like showers, restrooms, and lounges.
• Amenities: Confirm the availability of amenities such as towels, toothbrushes, and shampoo.
• Security: Look for dedicated women’s areas and reliable methods for storing valuables.
• Location: Consider accessibility from train stations and the surrounding neighborhood environment.

2. Traditional Ryokans: Experiencing Japanese Hospitality (“Omotenashi”)

Ryokan, Japan’s traditional inns, are places where you can experience Japanese culture through all five senses—including beautiful gardens, hot springs (onsen), and exquisite multi-course meals (kaiseki).

• Tawaraya Ryokan (Kyoto): A historic inn founded during the Edo period. It has catered to guests from around the world with its meticulous attention to ‘Omotenashi’ (hospitality).

  • Features: History and tradition, refined space, top-tier service
  • Recommended For: Special occasion stays or those wanting to experience Japanese traditional culture

• Kaga-ya (Ishikawa Prefecture): A representative ryokan in Japan, long ranked number one in ‘100 Selected Hotels and Ryokans by Professionals.’

  • Features: Luxurious premises, comprehensive facilities, meticulous service
  • Recommended For: Family trips or group travel

• Asaba (Shizuoka Prefecture): A long-established inn in Shuzenji Onsen. The Noh stage and beautiful gardens create an atmosphere far removed from daily life.

  • Features: Location surrounded by nature, rooms with open-air baths (rotenburo)
  • Recommended For: Those seeking quiet time or wanting to fully enjoy nature

• Hoshinoya (Various Locations): A luxury ryokan brand operated by Hoshino Resorts. It offers unique stay experiences that utilize the local characteristics of each region.

  • Features: Extraordinary ambiance, refined service, localized cultural experiences
  • Recommended For: Luxury stays or seeking a truly special experience

Tips for Choosing a Ryokan:

• Location: Consider what kind of setting you want—hot spring resorts, scenic spots, or historic townscapes.
• Rooms: Various room types are available, including Japanese-style rooms (washitsu), Japanese/Western fusion rooms, and those with open-air baths.
• Dining: Meal styles vary widely, from kaiseki cuisine to traditional multi-course meals eaten in the room.
• Hot Springs: Check for different types of hot springs and facilities, such as outdoor baths, large public baths, or private baths.
• Price: There are ryokans at various price points to match your budget.

3. Temple Stays (Shukubo): A Peaceful Experience in a Temple Setting

A Shukubo is an accommodation facility attached to a temple or shrine. Here, you can partake in vegetarian Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori), experience meditation (zazen) and sutra copying (sakyō), and spend time in quiet contemplation away from daily life.

• Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture): Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to numerous Shukubo.

  • Features: Solemn atmosphere, shojin ryori meals, early morning temple services
  • Recommended For: Those looking to refresh mind and body, or those interested in Buddhist culture

• Zenkoji Temple (Nagano Prefecture): The national treasure Zenkoji has its own Shukubo.

  • Features: Ritual purification ceremonies, shojin ryori meals
  • Recommended For: Staying at a historically significant temple

• Mitsuji Temple (Shiga Prefecture): A temple housing many national treasures and important cultural properties.

  • Features: Sutra copying experiences, views of Lake Biwa
  • Recommended For: Those interested in cultural heritage or seeking a quiet environment

Tips for Choosing a Shukubo:

• Sect/School: The sect of Buddhism differs depending on the temple.
• Activities: Confirm what kind of experiences are offered, such as meditation, sutra copying, or Dharma talks.
• Meals: Shojin ryori is standard, but the content and portion size vary by temple.
• Facilities: Shared baths and restrooms are common, though some Shukubo offer private rooms.
• Curfew: Many Shukubo enforce a curfew.

4. Farm Stays (Minshuku): Experiencing Japan’s Original Landscape and Way of Life

A Minshuku is an intimate type of accommodation where you can stay on a farm, enjoying agricultural experiences and local country cuisine.

• Green Tourism: An activity promoting exchange between urban areas and rural/fishing villages. Farm stays are gaining attention as part of this movement.
• Features: Farming activities, meals using local ingredients, interaction with local people
• Recommended For: Those wanting to connect with nature, experience country living, or interact with locals

Tips for Choosing a Farm Stay:

• Activities: Check what experiences are available, such as farming activities, making local dishes, or nature observation.
• Meals: You can enjoy homemade meals made with local ingredients.
• Facilities: Facilities vary depending on the farm stay owner.
• Location: These are often located away from major cities.

5. Other Unique Accommodation Types

• Glamping Facilities: A portmanteau of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping.’ Allows you to enjoy a comfortable camping experience in nature.
  • Examples: Hoshinoya Glamping (Nationwide), Fujinokira Fuji Gotemba (Shizuoka)
• Theme Park Hotels: Hotels located adjacent to theme parks. They allow you to enjoy a special stay immersed in the park’s world.
  • Examples: Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotel, Universal Studios Japan Official Hotel
• Traditional House/Whole Rentals (Kominka): Charming accommodations renovated from historic Japanese farmhouses.
  • Examples: NIPPONIA HOTEL (Nationwide), Sasurai no Kabi (Kyoto)
• Trailer Houses/Camping Cars: A stylish and comfortable alternative to traditional car camping.
• Treehouses: Accommodation built in trees, fulfilling childhood dreams.
• Love Hotels: An accommodation type unique to Japan that has evolved significantly. Recently, they are also popular for group outings or female friend gatherings.
• Sleeping Trains: Trains like the ‘Sunrise Izumo-Seto’ allow you to stay overnight while traveling.
• Castle Stay (Jokuhaku): A special experience of staying within a historic castle.
  • Examples: Ofuku Castle (Ehime Prefecture), Marugame Castle (Kagawa Prefecture)

Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Stay for You!

We have introduced various unique accommodations available in Japan. Whether it’s a capsule hotel, a traditional ryokan, a temple stay (shukubo), a farm stay, or one of these other specialized types… each offers distinct charms that are sure to make your trip special.

We encourage you to use this guide to find the perfect accommodation and create unforgettable memories in Japan!

Additional Tips for Choosing Your Stay:

• Reviews: It is helpful to check reviews from people who have actually stayed there.
• Booking: Popular facilities require booking well in advance.
• Cancellation Policy: Always confirm the cancellation policy before making a reservation.
• Budget: When setting your budget, consider not only accommodation costs but also transportation and meal expenses.