The Welcome Card (Culture Card) offers reductions for foreign visitors on accommodation, meals, shopping and entertainment. It is available free of charge at JNTO’s Tokyo Tourist Information Centres, or for ¥700 from information centres at Kansai International Airport, Kobe City Information Centre, Kyoto City Information Centre and Kyoto Prefectural Information Centre.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government enforces an ‘Accommodation Tax’ on hotels and ryokan (inns) around the city that charge over ¥10,000 per room. The tax is ¥100 on rooms costing between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999 per night, and ¥200 for rooms costing ¥15,000 and over. For more information check online (website: www.tax.metro.tokyo.jp).

Hotels are ‘Western’ or ‘Japanese’ style. Western-style accommodation (ranging from deluxe hotels to pensions) are much like any modern US or European hotel. Japanese-style hotels (ryokan) provide exciting new experiences: guests receive kimonos and wooden clogs and rooms come equipped with Japanese bathtubs and paper sliding doors. Many non-obligatory extras are available. Service charges of 10 to 20 per cent are added to the bill. No accommodation grading system operates in Japan.

Minshuku, often found in resorts and vacation spots, are the Japanese equivalent of guest home-type lodging. Rates are moderate, and visitors should expect considerably fewer amenities than ryokan or Western-style hotels. Visitors are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, and towels are usually not provided. No shoes are worn in the house as slippers are provided. Small gifts or a 5 per cent tip may be given with the bill. The price usually includes two meals per day.

There are roughly 400 youth hostels throughout Japan. Many require visitors to be a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, although a guest card can be bought in advance at the Tokyo National Headquarters.

These are ‘Bed & Breakfast’ style lodges which offer a comfortable atmosphere. They are often located near ski resorts, lakesides or in more rural areas.

Some temples offer temple lodging (Shukubo). Guests may have to join in the routines of the monks (getting up early, chanting, doing chores etc) and facilities may be basic. The JNTO can provide a list (see Top Things To Do).

Japan Ryokan Association
Website: www.ryokan.or.jp

Japan Hotel Association
Shin Otemachi Building, 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Tel: (3) 3279 2706.
Website: www.j-hotel.or.jp

Japan Hotel Network
Akae Machi, Hanagashima Cho, Miyazaki City 880-0036, Japan
Website: www.japanhotel.net

Tokyu Hotel Chain Co Ltd
10-3 Nagata-Cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan
Tel: (3) 3581 8655.
Website: www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com

Japan Youth Hostels Inc
2-20-7 Misaki-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Tel: (3) 3288 1417.
Website: www.jyh.or.jp