Hotels in Japan

Japan offers a vibrant blend of nature, food, parks, and colorful urban moments that appeal to both children and adults. Families come for scenery, outdoor fun, and days filled with discovery – but the hotel you choose sets the rhythm for each day. Rooms in Japan are smaller than many travelers expect, distances feel longer than they appear on a map, and staying close to a train station can transform the entire experience.

Do you need a car along with your hotel stay?

Even though travel inside major Japanese cities is based mainly on trains and metro lines, many families choose to rent a car once they head toward nature. One example in the uploaded files describes a family renting a car from Orix in Shinjuku and driving toward the Fuji region, lakes, and more remote natural areas. For trips with children, this flexibility becomes especially valuable.

A car allows spontaneous stops that break up long days, particularly in rural landscapes. It also makes viewpoints, lakes, and small towns far more accessible. Transitioning from an urban hotel to countryside accommodation is easier when you are not dependent on public-transport schedules.

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Driving inside Tokyo is not ideal, but once you leave the city, a car makes the journey calmer, more flexible, and much more comfortable for families.

How to choose the right location?

Across all uploaded materials, one principle appears consistently: a good hotel in Japan is located within five minutes of a train station. For families, this simple rule has a major impact on day-to-day comfort. It reduces the need for long walks before or after full days of activities and keeps logistics easy for both children and adults.

A ten-minute walk may seem minor, but with kids, umbrellas, bags, or a stroller, it can feel considerably longer. Most restaurants, shops, and convenience stores are concentrated around major stations, so staying nearby saves energy every day. Several hotels mentioned in the files required a ten-minute walk, and that distance was described as borderline for families.

What should you know about the rooms?

The uploaded materials highlight several clear patterns about Japanese hotel rooms. First, rooms are small. Standard hotels often offer 10-20 m², and in some business hotels the door nearly touches the bed. This size is normal in Japan, and it helps to set expectations accordingly.

Despite the compact layout, cleanliness is consistently high. Chains such as Toyoko Inn, MyStays, and APA maintain excellent housekeeping even in basic room categories. Essential amenities are almost always provided: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a kettle, a mini-fridge, tea or coffee, slippers, and a light pajama set. Many business hotels also include coin-laundry facilities, allowing families to pack lighter and wash clothes during the trip.

Some hotels offer more family-friendly room types. Mimaru provides large apartment-style rooms with full kitchens and washing machines. Tokyu Stay includes microwaves and washing machines in certain room types. Dormy Inn stands out for its on-site onsen (hot bath) reserved exclusively for guests.

How much does it cost?

The uploaded files outline several hotel categories and price levels, giving families a realistic picture of what to expect when planning their stay.

Budget – Basic level

Toyoko Inn (Toyoko Inn)
Breakfast is always included and simple – onigiri, miso soup, and bread. Rooms are small and firm, but clean, reliable, and affordable.

APA / MyStays / Tokyu Stay
These 3-star chains offer compact rooms in excellent locations. Some branches include an onsen. They work well for families who spend most of the day exploring and simply need a clean and practical place to sleep.

Mid-range – Comfortable for families

Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata (Hotel Wing Asakusa)
One minute from the station, with a rooftop terrace overlooking Skytree. A light breakfast is included, and the rooms are suitable for families.

Hotel Keihan Asakusa (Hotel Keihan Asakusa)
A calm location near Senso-ji, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and convenient transport options. A strong choice for families who prefer quieter evenings.

Upper-mid & Family Apartments

Mimaru (Mimaru)
Large rooms from 40 m², full kitchens, washing machines, and space for 4-10 people. Excellent for families who cook, need room to move, or plan longer stays.

Premium

Akihabara Washington Hotel (Akihabara Washington Hotel)
A great match for families with teenagers who enjoy games, electronics, and the energy of Akihabara. The rooms are simple but the location is exceptional.

Hoshino Resorts (Hoshino Resorts)
High-quality resorts, some featuring playrooms and ball pools for children. Ideal for 2-3 nights of relaxation outside the city.

Watching Tokyo grow and transform right under my window – the city never stops, and that energy makes every morning exciting.

Which hotel types work best for families?

The uploaded materials make it possible to group accommodation into four useful profiles based on family size, preferred comfort level, and trip style.

Families looking for budget-friendly stays

Toyoko Inn / APA / MyStays
Clean, compact, and efficient – ideal for families who spend full days outdoors and need a reliable place to sleep.

Families wanting maximum comfort

Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata / Hotel Keihan Asakusa
Short walking distances, calm surroundings, and immediate access to restaurants, shops, and key attractions. These areas are especially convenient for families with younger children.

Large families

Mimaru
The only accommodation mentioned that comfortably supports 4-10 guests, offering spacious rooms with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and plenty of room for everyone.

Families seeking a unique experience

Hoshino Resorts
Perfect for families who want a nature-focused stay with onsen facilities, peaceful surroundings, and a break from the busy urban environment.

How to combine hotel stays along a full itinerary?

The itineraries found in the uploaded files show families moving between cities and nature in a balanced rhythm. One example follows this route:
Tokyo → Fuji Area → Kyoto → Kii-Katsuura → Kansai.
This structure blends the convenience of major cities with quiet days in natural landscapes and onsen towns.

A pattern that appears frequently in the materials is:

• 3-4 nights in Tokyo near a major station
• 2-3 nights in the Fuji region (ideally with a rental car for flexibility)
• 3 nights in Kyoto near a large station for easy transport connections
• 1-2 nights in another nature area with an onsen
• Additional nights in Osaka, Hiroshima, or Fukuoka depending on the length of the trip

Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Choose hotels close to the main activity planned for the day – it saves energy and helps prevent afternoon fatigue, especially when traveling with children.

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What should you check before booking?

• Room types
  Japan offers a wide range of room configurations. Some hotels provide only double rooms, while others offer triple or quad rooms. Choosing the correct room type for your family size is essential for a smooth stay.
• Smoking / Non-smoking
  Many hotels still have designated smoking floors. To ensure a more comfortable environment, always select a non-smoking room when booking.
• Occupancy limits
  Japanese hotels are strict about the number of guests per room. If a room is booked for two people, three cannot stay in it. Always book the correct occupancy to avoid issues at check-in.
• Renovation date
  Some hotels are older, and their room quality varies. A renovated room can offer a noticeably better experience in terms of comfort and practicality.

Traveler Reviews

Emily Carter – April 2021
I stayed at Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata, and the location alone made our family trip much easier. Being one minute from the station and a short walk from Senso-ji worked perfectly with two kids. Breakfast was simple but useful. The only drawback was the limited space for opening large suitcases.

Daniel Brooks – June 2019
We chose Toyoko Inn for its price, and it delivered exactly what we needed. Clean rooms, quiet nights, and a basic breakfast – onigiri, miso soup, and bread – helped us start early. The rooms are extremely small, so families who need space should be prepared for that.

Olivia Sanders – February 2023
I tried a capsule-style hotel with an onsen, just like the files described. It felt unusual at first but ended up being one of the funniest parts of my trip. Very cheap, very clean, but with no privacy at all. It’s not suitable for more than one night or for families with young children.

Michael Jensen – November 2024
Our stay at Mimaru Tokyo was a highlight. The room was large by Japanese standards – full kitchen, plenty of beds, and enough space for all five of us. Having laundry inside the room was incredibly convenient. It’s more expensive than business hotels, but the comfort level is completely different.

Sarah Mitchell – May 2018
At Hotel Keihan Asakusa, everything we needed was just outside the entrance – food, shops, and quiet streets to walk with kids. The room was small but functional. Staying in Asakusa felt peaceful even in the evenings. Just note that higher-floor rooms tend to be the most requested.

Jason Lee – December 2023
We stayed at Dormy Inn, and the onsen quickly became our family’s evening ritual. The kids loved the free late-night ramen, and the hot baths were perfect after long days of walking. The room was small, but the service made up for it. It’s worth checking whether your branch includes an onsen.

Laura Bennett – September 2022
I booked a larger room at MyStays, and surprisingly it worked for our family of five. Laundry on the same floor made everything easier. The only issue was that some rooms are older, and you can feel the difference. Choosing a renovated room is definitely the better option.

Andrew Collins – July 2025
With two teenagers, staying near Akihabara Washington Hotel was the best choice we made. Being close to electronics stores and game shops kept them excited every day. The rooms were standard in size – not luxurious – but the location made the entire stay simple and fun.

Tips from the Itinerary Expert

Choose a hotel within 5 minutes of a station
From my trips and from everything shown in the files, this is the most important factor for families. Ten minutes may sound short, but with kids, umbrellas, luggage, and long days, it feels much longer.

Look for larger room types even in budget chains
In chains like MyStays or APA, some branches offer slightly bigger rooms. I always try to book those first – even a small increase in space makes daily routines much easier.

Use the free breakfast at Toyoko Inn
Whenever I stay at Toyoko Inn, I rely on their simple breakfast (onigiri, miso soup, bread). It saves valuable time in the morning and helps avoid searching for food when everyone is tired.

Pick Mimaru for big families
When I travel with extended family, Mimaru is the only hotel where everyone has enough room. A full kitchen and in-room laundry make a major difference when traveling with kids of different ages.

Open your suitcases on the bed in small rooms
In chains like APA or MyStays, rooms can be extremely compact. One trick that always works for me: open the suitcase on the bed, pack or unpack, and close it immediately. It keeps the floor free and reduces frustration.

Choose a renovated room when possible
Some hotels mentioned in the files have older rooms. I always choose a “renovated” room when available – the difference in comfort, lighting, and cleanliness is noticeable, especially during longer stays.

Check if your Dormy Inn has an onsen
Not all branches offer the same facilities. When I stay at Dormy Inn, I choose locations with an onsen – it’s the perfect way to relax after long walking days, and kids love the late-night ramen.

Stay in Akihabara with older kids or teens
If you’re traveling with tech-loving teenagers, hotels like Akihabara Washington Hotel make the whole area accessible and exciting. Everything they enjoy is right outside the door.

Combine city hotels with one nature-focused stay
The files show many families blending Tokyo with Fuji or other natural areas. I do the same – one or two nights in a hotel with an onsen outside the city helps everyone reset and recharge.

Book early if you need a family-sized room
Rooms for four or more people are rare in Japan. Based on both my experience and the materials in the files, these rooms – especially in Mimaru – sell out quickly, so early booking is essential.

Insights from the Itinerary Expert

When I last traveled in Japan in October 2023, I stayed in several different types of accommodation – from compact business hotels to spacious family apartments. Moving between places like Toyoko Inn, MyStays, and Mimaru made it very clear how much the hotel choice affects the rhythm of a family trip. The uploaded files emphasize the same experience: rooms in Japan are small, sometimes extremely small, and location is essential. I once stayed in a hotel that was a ten-minute walk from the station, and with kids and backpacks that distance felt much longer. Since then, I always choose hotels within five minutes of a station.

Staying at Mimaru made a significant difference for our family. A full kitchen and in-room washing machine allowed us to travel lighter and stay organized. On the other hand, a night at Dormy Inn reminded me how valuable an onsen can be after a long day – especially when the branch includes the well-known free evening ramen. One recurring challenge is opening suitcases in business hotels like APA or MyStays, where the space is extremely limited. Over time, I learned to pack and unpack on the bed to avoid frustration.

Japan offers countless rewarding experiences – nature, views, colorful neighborhoods, parks, and great food – and choosing the right hotel allows families to enjoy them with less effort and more comfort. The right combination of urban convenience and relaxing nature stays can turn a family trip into a memorable journey.

I invite you to create a tailored itinerary with me, choosing the hotels and regions across Japan that will make your family trip truly unforgettable.

This buffet was a dream – fresh dishes everywhere, bright colours, and the perfect start to a long day of exploring.

Price Table

FAQ

Are hotel rooms in Japan really small?
Yes. Budget and mid-range chains such as Toyoko Inn and many 3-star hotels typically offer rooms of 10-20 m², with compact bathrooms and limited space for luggage.

Do Japanese hotels offer breakfast?
Most chains do. Toyoko Inn always includes a simple breakfast with rice balls, miso soup, and bread. Many 3-star hotels provide buffet breakfasts, occasionally for an additional fee.

Are there family-friendly hotel chains?
Yes. Tokyu Stay is convenient for families thanks to kitchenettes, microwaves, and in-room washer/dryers in certain room types. Hotel Keihan Asakusa is also well located near stations, restaurants, and convenience stores.

Do hotels have onsen baths?
Several chains offer onsen-style public baths, including MyStays, APA Hotels, Tokyu Stay, and Dormy Inn. These facilities are usually gender-separated and for guests only.

Is staying near a train station important?
Yes. The uploaded materials recommend choosing accommodation within 15 minutes of a station, since trains and subways are the most efficient way to travel in Japan.

Do hotels in Japan often have shared bathrooms?
Some do. One traveler noted that many budget hotels offer shared showers and toilets, so this is something to check in advance.

Are beds hard in Japanese hotels?
In some chains, yes. Toyoko Inn is known for firm beds and pillows, sometimes even firmer than traditional futons.

Are capsule or micro-hotels convenient? (first-person)
During one trip, I stayed in a micro-hotel room for 4,480 yen ($34). It felt bigger than a capsule and even had its own toilet and a comfortable chair. It was perfect for a short, budget-friendly night.

Is luggage delivery easy when staying at hotels?
Yes. Guests in hotels usually receive luggage delivery directly through the hotel concierge, making the process simple and reliable.

Do some hotels offer extra perks for families? (first-person)
When I stayed at Dormy Inn, the onsen baths, welcome drinks, and free late-night ramen made evenings enjoyable after long sightseeing days with kids.6

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