Business Hotels Are the Best Way to Travel Japan. Here’s Why.

If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, the accommodation question can feel overwhelming. Ryokan, capsule hotels, hostels, guesthouses, Airbnbs: there are many options, and each comes with its own set of expectations and etiquette. All of them have their place, and it’s worth checking out as many as you can, but if you want the simplest, most practical home base for exploring Japan, your answer is the business hotel.

What Is a Business Hotel?

You’re probably not going to find many places that literally have the words “business hotel” written on the sign anymore. It’s more of a category than a brand.

Look for names like Toyoko Inn, APA Hotel, Dormy Inn, Route Inn, or one of the countless chains that offer a similar service.

The idea is a clean, compact, affordable room designed for people who need a place to sleep without the extras that get baked into the price of nicer hotels. They cater to business travelers who may be in town for only a quick night before leaving the next morning and aren’t interested in paying for amenities they’ll never use.

Check-in is designed to be quick and easy, and the rooms are stripped down to the basics. You’ll have a bed, a desk, a TV, a mini fridge, and an electric kettle. The bath is usually a “unit bath,” combining a sink, toilet, and shower in a compact enclosure. You throw your bags down, plug in your phone, and you’re done.

The rooms are small. A standard single is around 10 to 13 square meters, which is just enough space for the bed and the bathroom. If you’re used to American hotels, the first time you see one of these may be a shock. But you’re going to be out from early morning until late at night, and all you really need when you get back is a bed and a shower. The room does its job.

Why They’re Better Than the Other Options

The no-frills approach saves you money that you can spend elsewhere.

A typical business hotel runs around 5,000 to 10,000 yen ($30 to $60 USD) per night, depending on the city and chain. A lot of them even include a basic breakfast: a minimalist buffet or some soup and bread with a coffee. Nothing elaborate, but it gets you out the door fed without spending extra.

The money you’d spend on a Western-style hotel with sprawling floor space and amenities you’ll never use is money you can put toward things that actually make your trip memorable. A great meal at a place you found while walking around the neighborhood. A day trip to a smaller city. An extra night somewhere you didn’t plan to stay.

They’re also a step up from shared dormitories. In many countries, budget traveling means staying in cramped youth hostels with little security and zero privacy. For only slightly more, a business hotel gives you your own private space with a locked door and a bathroom to yourself.

Convenience is another major advantage. Practically every major station in Japan has at least a couple of business hotels within walking distance. The chains are everywhere, and they’re all reliable. If you’re moving between cities (and you probably should be), knowing that you can find a clean, affordable room near any major train station takes a lot of the planning stress out of the trip. The staff are used to international visitors, there’s no special etiquette to worry about, and the check-in process takes about two minutes.

And some of them have seriously fantastic facilities for the price. Rooftop public baths that are free for guests to use. Restaurants attached that are better than they have any right to be. Most are spectacularly clean and well-maintained to a degree that puts many American hotels to shame. You’ll be surprised at how much you’re getting for what you’re paying.

The Tradeoffs

There are real downsides worth being honest about.

If you want a social travel experience, you won’t find it here. Business hotels are private and quiet, which is a positive or a negative depending on how you travel. You won’t meet other backpackers in the lobby or swap stories over drinks at the hotel bar the way you would at a hostel or guesthouse. For solo travelers hoping to make new friends, that’s a meaningful loss.

You’re also going to miss the cultural experience of a ryokan. There’s nothing particularly Japanese-feeling about a business hotel room. The owners of a small ryokan might sit with you, talk about the region, and serve local dishes. Business hotels lose all of that regional character because they’re designed to feel the same no matter where you are.

And some people just prefer having the extras and don’t mind paying for them. A fully stocked room, a concierge, room service: if that’s what makes travel enjoyable for you, a business hotel will feel spartan by comparison.

But if you’re the type of traveler who sees a hotel room as a place to sleep and nothing else, and you’d rather put your money toward going out and having experiences, business hotels are the perfect middle ground. Cheaper than a full-service hotel, more private than a hostel, and more practical than almost anything else available.

The Culture Shock Japan app includes a full accommodation guide covering business hotels, ryokan, hostels, capsule hotels, and more, with booking tips and useful phrases for check-in. Available on iOS.