If you’re visiting Nara, you’ll want to find a place to hold up for the night before you continue the next day. Nara is a wonderful place, rich with history. It used to be the capital of Japan for a while before political and religious threat moved the capital to Nagaoka in 784. But today, you’ll find remnants of a colorful past in its temples, museums and beautiful parks.
To put up a few days in Nara there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. But today, i’m going to list several budget accommodations that is quite popular and value for money.
No. 1
Yougendo Guest House - http://www.yougendo.com
Rates start at 6500 Yen to 20000 Yen, depending on the number of people and room type.
Known for great quality service and the host speaks English.
No. 2
Seikan-So - http://www.jpinn.com/inn/10-6.html
Rates start at 4500 Yen to 12600 Yen, depending on the number of people and room type.
Close to local attractions and public transportations. Accepts all major credit cards.
A love hotel (ラブホテル, rabu hoteru?) is a type of short-stay hotel found in North East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea operated primarily for the purpose of allowing couples privacy to have sexual intercourse.
Love hotels usually offer a room rate for a “rest” kyūkei (休憩, kyūkei?), as well as for an overnight stay. The period of a “rest” varies, typically ranging from one to three hours. Cheaper daytime off-peak rates are common. In general, reservations are not possible, leaving the hotel will forfeit access to the room, and overnight stay rates only become available after 10pm. They may also be used for prostitution.
But nonetheless, the rooms are really weird and themed. They are often dimly lit like a cabaret lounge for obvious reasons ;)
They even have some rooms decorated in Hello Kitty themes if that rocks your boat.
Prices ranges between $35-$100, depending on the length of your stay.
If you’re looking for cheap accommodation to accommodate a shoestring budget in Tokyo, try Economy Hotele Hoteiya backpackers’ hostel. I know the name sounds a bit weird, like a mix of Japanese, Spanish and English but what’s a backpacker if it’s not international, eh? It’s located at 1-23-9Nihonzutumi,Taito-ku,Tokyo,111-0021 and is only about 8 minutes walk away from the Minami-Senju Station (JR & Hibiya line) that means everything is just a ride away.
If you’re looking for a hot-spring resort that is in between Kyoto and Osaka, Kinosaki Onsen is a place for you. It’s situated in a beautiful location, by the coastline of Sea of Japan. Needless to say, it has a fantastic view. Lines of weep willows are drawn along the river that runs through the town of Kinosaki, which makes it extremely beautiful and sage-looking come spring time.
Anyway, the hot-springs at Kinosaki was discovered during the 8th century and it’s been a popular spot since then. Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most popular onsen spots in Japan and is definitely a great option to stay in if you’re stopping to take a rest from all the traveling. The little picturesque town also offer historical sites to see while you’re in town. Of the mentionable spots are Konotori no Sato (a sanctuary for endangered storks) and Onsenji Temple. Kinosaki onsen is considered to be an off the beaten tracks gem of Japan.
Shirakawa is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage site. That being said, it’s enough reason to visit the place. Shirakawa-go is a remote and mountainous region that is home to some of the oldest artifacts in Japan. The old farmhouses of Shirakawa is still standing today - it was added into the UNESCO’s World Heritage site in 1995. During winter you will see a very pretty and picturesque view of the farm house standing amidst the whiteness.
The architecture style of the farmhouse is called gasshozukuri (directly translates to prayer-hands) because the farmhouse’s roof resembles two palms put together for prayers. It is actually an architectural design used to make sure the roof don’t topple during heavy snowfall.
Most of the farmhouse today functions as a Minshuku, family own lodging, and comes as a highly recommended experience. Staying in a World Heritage farmhouse with traditional Japanese way of life is not a chance that everyone has the opportunity to encounter.
Minshukus are family own accommodation, not unlike bed&breakfast style in western countries. The family that owns the business allows the opportunity for visitors to mingle and experience the lifestyle of a Japanese while visiting the country. Minshuku gives a very rustic feel to your stay because it is like staying in a friend’s house with all the amenities and home cooked food. Like a Ryokan, except that is more personal, you can experience Japanese style baths and sleep on a futon on a floor like traditional Japanese customs.
You can request to be catered for all three meals or just a bed. But usually, their rates includes a breakfast. Usually the cost for one night in a Minshuku can cost between 5000-9000 yen a night. Although you can find a cheaper, no frills alternative for 4000yen a night only.
I have a link here which lists ALL the Minshuku around Japan (in English) for you! Minshuku Center
Do you want to look for accommodations in Japan and have a shoe-string budget - worry no more because this online place contains some of the cheapest accommodations you can find in Japan. It will definitely suit your budget for sure; you just got to be a little diligent in looking. Some of these youth hostels are located in prime areas so you might want to check that out. The place to look at is HostelWorld.com. You can basically search for youth hostel all over the world but they have an impressive listing on Japan’s hostel as well :)
Miyajima (宮島町, Miyajima-chō) was a town located on the island of Itsukushima (often referred to, incorrectly, as Miyajima Island in English—’jima’ and ’shima’ both mean ‘island’) in Saeki District, Hiroshima, Japan. On November 3, 2005, it was amalgamated into the city of Hatsukaichi.
The name Miyajima literally translates to Shrine Island, which is exactly what the place is known for. With a red torii standing alone in the waters during the high tides belonging to Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima is one of Japan’s 3 most scenic spots.
The island is a beautiful as it is natural. You will find deers strolling about the island’s parks and as well as monkeys roaming around freely. It is a perfect place for couples in the evening because the place oozes romanticism. The glow of the temple and shrines and the stroll on the beach, what can be more perfect than that? :)
Or you can take a hiking trip up Misen, Miyajima’s highest peak if you’re feeling a little adventurous.
A good place to stay in for the night in Miyajima is at Benten No Yado. You can enjoy their onsens as well as have the perfect view of the Torii. Price ranges from 27,000 Yen to 71, 400 yen per night depending on the season.
There is a picturesque resort at the foot of the infamous Mount Fuji. The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖, Fuji goko) are located in an arc around the northern half of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. They are:
* Lake Kawaguchi (Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi)
* Lake Motosu (Kamikuishiki, Yamanashi)
* West Lake (Saiko, Yamanashi)
* Lake Shoji (Kamikuishiki, Yamanashi)
* Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako, Yamanashi)
All five feature beautiful views of the mountain, especially in the spring and autumn, when the snow partially covers the peak. These lakes are in the countryside, and many resorts offer camping, boating, fishing, and similar rustic recreation. The comforts of civilization are also available.
Apart from the obvious activity, that is climbing mount Fuji, hiking, camping and fishing, you can also visit Sengen Shrine; an important shrine in the area dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji.
This place is one of the most picturesque spots in Japan, it is definitely worth the visit. The resort provides several accommodation options for visitors to visit - camping is of course not the only form of accommodation at the Fuji Five Lakes.
If you’re visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido and are at loss with where to stay, I’d recommend Ino’s Place.It’s backpacker’s haven as the place is clean, friendly and warm. Oh and not to mention the price is pretty good too from $31 per night. On Yahoo! Travel, Ino’s place was rated 5 stars out of 5 too.
The location of this guesthouse makes it a great place as well as it is about 12 minutes away from the city center (7 Minutes by subway and 5 minutes of walk). Hey, if you’re backpacking, that’s like the walking to your neighbour’s house in Australia, Zone D.
Reception Area
Accommodation at Ino’s Place includes:
- Good Location for sightseeing
- Helpful & English speaking Staff
- No Curfew
- Private Shower Rooms (24hrs Free)
- Fully Equipped Self-Catering Kitchen
- Laundry Facilities
- Central Heating
- TV Lounge
- Internet service
- Wired and Wireless(11b/g) LAN available
- Tourist Information
- Free coffee & tea
- Clean & Cozy Lounge Room
- Western style facilities
- VISA & Master Cards accepted
Lounge Area
And we musn’t forget the type of rooms and rates:
- Dormitory bed 3,400 Yen
(co-ed room is available)
- Private room from 4,300 Yen/Person
Family/Group room 3,800 Yen/Person
- Special Rate for long-term stay.
(from 2,800 Yen/night)
- Supplemental heating charge
200 yen per night (nov.-Apr.)
Dorm Rooms
So if you’re every visiting Sapporo and is looking for a place with great value and warmth (as well as meeting folks for all over the world), drop in to Ino’s Place.
- 
