You might think that booking a hotel in Japan is a daunting task. The ideal place to start your hotel search would be the Internet. You could directly visit the websites of hotels located in Japan and make your reservations. Most of the sites offer an option to surf in English. Sites like the www.JapaneseHotelDirectory.com enlist information on different types of hotels and accommodations.

The Japanese hotel association website also offers information on accommodations. Staying in a western-style hotel in Japan is equivalent to the experience in the US. The staffs at the hotel speak English and provide excellent customer service. The western-style hotel options in Japan include deluxe, business or capsule.

Foreign visitors are better accommodated in deluxe hotels in terms of language and food. Of course, you will not miss the Japanese influence because you will find Japanese restaurants in these hotels too. Business hotels offer reasonable prices. While the rooms are smaller than in a regular hotel and have an attached bathroom they are preferred mostly by traveling businessmen. These hotels do not have a restaurant or any other services, aside from vending machines. Visitors can expect convenience as these business hotels usually are located close to local train stations.

Capsule hotels are representative of the premium on space in Japan. These hotels offer a bed in a small capsule with a television and a shared bathroom. Located near railway stations the checkout is usually around 9 a.m. the next morning. Washing facilities are located within the hotel and some hotels even have luxury bathrooms and massage parlors.

Apart from the regular hotels, visitors to Japan can also look forward to accommodations like the Ryokan, Minshuku and Pension. Ryokan is essentially a travelers inn. Visitors who stay in a Ryokan experience traditional Japan as most of the rooms are in Japanese Style and you sleep on a futon on the tatami mat floor. While the rates are the same as a business hotel in the cities, Ryokans in resort areas are reasonably priced apart from giving you a unique Japanese experience.

Minshuku referred to as peoples accommodation are somewhat similar to the Ryokan but are generally family-run businesses. They are cheaper than the Ryokans. From the outside many look like a large house and sometimes you get to eat with the family. The downside is that English is not spoken and many of the houses appear old and run-down.

Pensions are the westernized version of the Ryokan and Minshuku. They are located in the resort areas and offer the same services albeit with a European flavor. Rates are generally per person and that includes Western or French style dinner and breakfast.

There are a few travel tips you need to know before you travel to Japan.

* Eating is Japan is quite a challenge especially if you do not know where to look for the right food. For instance, Tokyo itself has more than 60,000 restaurants. So the key is to eat just like the Japanese - look for local restaurants on the streets instead of high-rise hotels. You will usually find the best deals and the easiest way to choose your food will be to point to it on the display window (usually menus are in Japanese).
* Visit the Japanese National Tourist Organization website for a wealth of information on travel and hotels.
* Carry an easy to read conversion dictionary from your native language or English to Japanese.
* The Japanese generally have a quiet and peaceful culture. They are very particular about etiquette. So its very important to know their table manners, socially acceptable forms of greetings, tipping policies, hygiene, etc.

Site moderator of JapaneseHotelDirectory.com