Japan is home to some of the most creative and surprising hotels in the world. From a robot-staffed hotel to a luxury suite inside a reconstructed castle, staying at a hotel in Japan can be more than just a place to sleep—it can be a memorable part of your journey. For manga lovers, concept hotels filled with books offer total immersion. These diverse accommodations show how Japan blends innovation with hospitality.
In Tokyo, there are three iconic hotels collectively known as the Hotel Gosanke: the Imperial Hotel, The Okura Tokyo, and Hotel New Otani. These luxury hotels have hosted countless dignitaries, including royalty and presidents. The Imperial Hotel introduced Japan’s first hotel buffet and hotel weddings. The Okura Tokyo is admired for its elegant fusion of Japanese aesthetics and modern design. Hotel New Otani, with its centuries-old Japanese garden, was built to accommodate guests during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Each offers a glimpse into Japanese omotenashi, or hospitality, at its highest level.
When you want to ask if an item or service is available, use the phrase “アイロンはありますか (Airon wa arimasu ka),” which means “Do you have an iron?” This simple structure can be used with other items too, such as chargers, shuttle buses, or amenities. You can also omit the particle “wa” and simply say, for example, “アイロンありますか (Airon arimasu ka?)” and still be understood.
If the hotel has the item, you might hear “はい、ございます (Hai, gozaimasu),” which means “Yes, we have it.” If it’s currently loaned out, staff might say “ただいま かしだしちゅう です (Tadaima kashidashi chuu desu).” If the item isn’t available, they could reply “ありません (Arimasen).” You might also hear “かくにん いたします (Kakunin itashimasu),” meaning they will check for you, or “しょうしょう おまちください (Shoushou omachi kudasai),” asking you to wait a moment.
To ask about the time something starts, such as breakfast, you can say “ちょうしょくはなんじですか (Choushoku wa nanji desu ka)” which means “What time is breakfast?” This pattern is very flexible. You can replace “choushoku” with other words like “checkout,” “shuttle bus,” or “cleaning,” depending on the situation. Staff will usually respond using either the 12-hour or 24-hour clock.
Hotel guests often need to know the schedule for services like dinner or shuttle buses. For example, if you want to confirm the dinner time, use “ゆうしょくはなんじですか (Yuushoku wa nanji desu ka)?” If you want to know if the hotel provides a shuttle bus, ask “シャトルバスはありますか (Shatoru basu wa arimasu ka)?” Then follow up with “なんじですか (Nanji desu ka)?” to ask the departure time.
Hot springs, or onsen, are a major attraction in Japan. Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma has the highest natural water output in Japan and is famous for its strong acidic water. Gero Onsen in Gifu is praised for its smooth alkaline water, while Dogo Onsen in Ehime is one of the oldest, known from classic literature. Many hotels near these areas offer baths that allow guests to enjoy the healing properties of the water.
Japanese laundromats, or “koin randorii,” are found throughout cities and hotels. They are often open 24 hours and are convenient for travelers on longer trips. Machines may add detergent automatically or require you to bring or purchase your own. Dryers are usually separate, and it’s good etiquette to remove your laundry promptly after washing or drying to allow others to use the machines.
Always prepare enough 100 yen coins, and check if the machine adds detergent automatically. Avoid using dryers for items like wet shoes or non-dryer-safe clothes. If your hotel has a coin laundry, consider using it during less busy hours like early morning. This makes doing laundry in Japan hassle-free and efficient.
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Japanese language educator with over 15 years of experience in higher education and curriculum development. She currently teaches at Knox College and advises language learning initiatives such as gokigen japanese. She has held teaching roles at institutions including Valdosta State University, and has a strong background in cultural programming, instructional design, and Japanese language education. Education: M.A. in Japanese (Pedagogy), Florida State University. Certification: Passed Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test. Completed the 420-hour Japanese Language Teacher Training Course.
