Page 301 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

WHERE T O ST A Y  299

drinks,” beer, and sake. There is
often at least one restaurant
with a choice of Japanese or
Western-style breakfasts.

Capsule Hotels
Unique to Japan, these
custom-built hotels feature
encapsulated beds in and out
of which guests must slide,
since there is little room to sit
up, let alone stand. Rattan
blinds or curtains can be pulled Benesse House on Naoshima island, designed by revered architect Tadao Ando (see p306)
across for a degree of privacy.
Usually constructed in two tiers, areas and along expressways Recommended Hotels
they cater mainly to “salarymen” and highways, much like motels. The hotels in this section have
who are too tired or inebriated Prices are twofold: “rest” (for a been chosen to cater to a range
to make the last train home. quickie) and “stay” (up to an of budgets and needs, including
Most are clustered around overnight stay). The most everything from expensive
major train stations or nightlife entertaining offer thematic once-in-a-lifetime ryokan to
areas. Facilities include a decor as an additional turn-on. simple and cheap, but
personal TV, radio, alarm call conveniently located business
system, and air-conditioning. Budget Options hotels. In each region, one or
Smoking is not allowed. Vending two have been designated as
machines may be nearby. Some 360 youth hostels are DK Choice hotels. These have
Baths and sometimes saunas scattered across Japan, most been chosen because they offer
are included in the price. are located in regional areas something very special – be
The size of such hotels varies or on the edges of towns and that atmospheric temple
widely, ranging from 50 capsules cities. The quality is variable, accommodation that allows
to over 600. Some still cater and hosts range from the guests to observe or take part in
only to men, but women are welcoming to dictatorial. morning rituals, a modern hotel
increasingly being accepted Some lodgings run by hostel that offers unparalleled levels of
and encouraged to stay. associations require membership design, service, cuisine, and
to their organ ization to obtain facilities, or a ryokan steeped in
the cheapest rates, but anyone history. With ryokan, unlike the
Love Hotels can stay for an additional other types of accommodation
Love hotels are designed charge, and there is no upper covered here, the price listed is
especially for dating couples age limit. inclusive of dinner and breakfast
and married partners living in There are also approximately unless otherwise specified, as
extended families who may feel 2,800 official campsites, where many such traditional places
that they need some privacy, tents, lodges, and cabins can be don’t offer room-only deals.
but they can also be a common rented. Beware that over crowding
location for affairs and where is common in holiday seasons. DIRECTORY
prostitutes take clients. They are The JNTO leaflet Camping in
mainly found in entertainment Japan gives further details. Japan Economy Hotel Group
∑ kid97.co.jp/~jeh-group/
jeh-group.html
Japan Hotel Association
Tel (03) 3279-2706.
∑ j-hotel.or.jp/english
Japanese Inn Group
∑ japaneseinngroup.com
Japan National Tourism
Organization
∑ jnto.go.jp
Japanican
∑ japanican.com/en
Rakuten Travel
∑ travel.rakuten.com
Typical capsule hotel, with two tiers of beds

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