Introduction

I absolutely love staying in Japan! Each visit brings new surprises. As a travel blogger who frequently travels abroad, I've been to many countries, but accommodation in Japan is truly exceptional! Today I'll share my completely different accommodation experiences in Osaka's commercial district and Hakone hot springs, hoping to help you find the most suitable place to stay on your next trip to Japan.

Pleasant Surprise in Shinsaibashi

When it comes to accommodation in Osaka, I must first recommend Hotel Arashi Shinsaibashi! This hotel's location is simply outstanding. From Kansai Airport, take the subway to Shinsaibashi station, and it's less than a 10-minute walk with luggage - super convenient! What I love most is its proximity to the shopping district - just 300 meters to Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, and another 300 meters to Nipponbashi.

When I first saw this hotel, I thought I misread the price. A four-star hotel starting at just $76 per night! Keep in mind this is in the heart of Osaka where real estate is premium. With a user rating of 9.1, that's quite impressive in Japan where service standards are extremely high.

While the rooms aren't particularly large, that's typical for Japanese hotels. The important thing is that all facilities are new and super clean! The bathroom amenities are from well-known brands, and towels are replaced daily. The front desk staff speak excellent English and are always patient in answering questions.

I remember once when I wanted to visit Osaka Castle, the front desk staff not only explained the route in detail but also checked the subway schedule for me, even writing down which stations to transfer at. Such thoughtful service really touched me!

The hotel breakfast was what surprised me most. Though not an extravagant buffet, each item was exquisite. There was a good balance of Japanese and Western options - you could enjoy delicious miso soup and grilled fish, as well as freshly baked bread and fried eggs. The coffee was freshly ground and smelled especially enticing.

Returning to the hotel at night is super convenient because it's surrounded by shopping malls and restaurants. When tired, you can grab something to eat from the Family Mart convenience store downstairs, or when hungry, visit a nearby izakaya for a drink. You can return to the hotel to rest anytime without worrying about transportation.

Plus, this location is perfect for shopping! Shinsaibashi Shopping Street has everything from luxury to affordable brands, plus many drugstores. I can't help but shop every time I go because it's so convenient to return to the hotel - you can drop off your purchases in your room anytime and continue shopping!

Hakone Hidden Gem

From bustling Osaka, we move to quiet Hakone. Here I want to highly recommend two ryokans that I absolutely love - Tsutaya and Asante Inn. Both offer great value for money and have their own unique characteristics.

Last winter, I stayed at Asante Inn for three full days, an experience I still cherish. Although the inn is 7.9 kilometers from Hakone-Yumoto Station, transportation isn't an issue as they provide free shuttle service. The most surprising was the price - starting at just $46 per night! Finding such a nice hot spring inn in Japan where you can see Mount Fuji and beautiful Japanese gardens was like finding a treasure.

The hot springs at Asante Inn are really wonderful! They have both indoor and outdoor baths with moderate water temperature, very comfortable to soak in. I especially love going to the outdoor bath in the early morning, soaking in the warm spring water while watching Mount Fuji appear and disappear in the distance, occasionally seeing birds fly by - that feeling is truly amazing.

The rooms are traditional Japanese-style with tatami floors and soft futons, very comfortable for sleeping. Though it's an old-style building, it's well-maintained and you can feel the owner's attention to detail everywhere. In the evening, you can walk in the corridors wearing yukata, listening to insects chirping in the garden, experiencing the unique atmosphere of a Japanese inn.

Breakfast is another highlight - traditional Japanese breakfast with grilled fish, miso soup, pickled vegetables, rice, etc., each dish meticulously prepared. What impressed me most was how they change dishes according to seasons - when I visited in autumn, we had super fresh pacific saury!

Tsutaya offered me a completely different experience. At $43 per night, it's incredibly good value, plus it has a high rating of 9.4! Although it has a shared kitchen, this actually became my favorite part. Here, I met many travelers from around the world, cooking together, chatting, and sharing travel stories - it felt particularly warm.

I remember meeting an Australian couple in the kitchen who warmly invited me to share their pasta. We chatted while eating, discussing everything from our travel experiences to cultural differences between countries, having a wonderful conversation. The next day we even visited a nearby shrine together, and we still keep in touch!

The owner of Tsutaya is a very kind elderly lady who, despite not speaking much English, communicates well through body language and simple Japanese. She recommends nearby attractions to guests and teaches everyone the correct way to use Japanese bathrooms. Every morning, she carefully cleans the common areas, keeping the entire inn tidy.

The hot springs here are also nice, though not as grand as large hot spring hotels, but they're peaceful. When bathing at night, you can see stars - very romantic. And because there aren't many guests, you rarely run into others, allowing you to quietly enjoy your hot spring time.

Expert Advice

As a travel blogger who has stayed in Japan many times, I've summarized some experiences to share with everyone.

First, if you're visiting Japan for the first time, I strongly recommend choosing a city center hotel like Hotel Arashi. It's not only convenient for transportation but also has complete surrounding facilities. It's convenient for dining, shopping, and entertainment - you won't have to worry about finding izakayas or convenience stores at night. Plus, staying in the city center helps you better experience Japanese urban life.

Second, although Hakone hot springs are a bit far, they're really worth specifically scheduling time for. I recommend staying at least two nights so you won't feel rushed and can properly enjoy the hot springs and natural scenery. The first day you can rest well and adjust to the environment; the second day you can explore the surroundings and experience local life; if time permits, take another bath on the third morning before leaving - perfect!

It's best to book rooms a month in advance, especially during peak season. Well-reviewed Japanese guesthouses are particularly popular, and in hot spring destinations like Hakone, highly-rated rooms are often hard to get. During cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons, you might need to book two or three months ahead.

When choosing accommodation, be sure to check the location carefully. Some hot spring inns might be cheap but inconvenient for transportation - without free shuttle service, taxi fares might exceed what you save on accommodation. So compare multiple options and consider all factors comprehensively.

If you want to experience Japanese hot springs, I recommend choosing rooms with private bathrooms. While public baths are authentic, having your own bathroom is more comfortable if you're not used to bathing with others. Plus, private bathrooms usually also have hot spring water that you can enjoy anytime.

Friendly Reminders

Finally, I must remind everyone that Japanese accommodations generally have some extra fees, like hot spring usage fees and city taxes. Be sure to carefully read the details when booking to avoid unexpected expenses at check-in. Especially at some hot spring inns, there might be charges for hot spring use or yukata rental.

Also pay special attention to check-in and check-out times. Japanese hotels usually allow check-in after 3 PM and check-out by 10 or 11 AM, earlier than in China. If you arrive on an early flight or leave on a late flight, it's best to contact the hotel in advance to see if early check-in or late check-out is possible.

By the way, Japanese hotels generally provide free Wi-Fi, but signal strength may vary by hotel. If you need frequent internet access, I recommend preparing a portable Wi-Fi device or phone card.

When staying in Hakone, remember to check the weather forecast. If you're lucky, you can see beautiful views of Mount Fuji. But if it's cloudy or raining, you might not see it. However, bathing in hot springs on rainy days has its own charm - listening to the rain while soaking is also very enjoyable.

Overall, the accommodation experience in Japan is really great, whether in city hotels or countryside hot spring inns - they all offer different surprises. I hope through my sharing, I can help you find the most suitable place to stay on your next trip to Japan. Remember, the most important thing about traveling is to be happy, and choosing a comfortable place to stay will make the entire journey even more wonderful!