Capsule Hotel

You won’t be finding any contemporary sofas here and as much as I liked the prices for these Capsules Hotel - can one really sleep in it?  I can’t - truth be told, I would be in a war situation before I can sleep in something like that.  Don’t get me wrong - i have nothing against Capsules Hotel but to be in such a confine space - I’m claustrophobic i think.

But if you are traveling alone or with with some pals on a backpack - this has got to be a great option for $20 - $40 a night.  9 hrs is a new capsule hotel in Kyoto and it is nice, very modern and very clean looking - as you can see in the video everything is made simple - you don’t even need to speak in Japanese to know what to do next.  This is exactly what the owners of the hotel had planned.  I wonder if something like this is ready to be launched in other parts of the world.  Afterall, we have the budget hotels all over the world now.

Fujiya Hotel In Hakone

Hakone is very much of a touristy place in Japan - and it’s quite crowded during the spring and summer season - I bet the motorhome towing companies are extremely busy then too.  But Hakone is beautiful and the view up there can be very rewarding as well as watching the famous Hakone Lake.  Hakone being only an hour away from Tokyo is where even the Japanese themselves flock for hiking trips and a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of the busy city of Tokyo.  The fresh air up in Hakone was awesome and one can spend a nite or two in Hakone without breaking the bank.

We love the Fujiya hotel and normally we won’t be able to afford a hotel of such prestiget but this classical hotel in Hakone is defintely a no regret stay - for the service was impeccable and the staff were such awesome ppl but you have to know that they are trained to take care of dignitaries for centuries.  They have several restaurants and room service right up to 10.30pm and starts as early as 9am.  An indoor and outdoor pool with spa facilities for their house guests and a private bath house for the entire family.   In Japan, it is almost impossible to find a hotel that has such huge rooms - so if you are in Hakone - don’t forget to check out Fujiya Hotel.

Designer Hotel In Tokyo - Claska

Unlike the hotels punta cana this designer hotel called Claska sure didn’t looked too impressive from the outside.  With 9 rooms for guests like you and I .. i hear it’s impossible to get a room.  But they have 26 permanent residential rooms for long staying guests… so i’m guessing that makes up for the lack of ordinary guest rooms.

They did have some kinda exhibit when i was there.. something about japanese living..??

And a coffee and souvenir shop as well on the ground floor.

One of the guest rooms .. pretty interesting.. and yes.. pretty designer look.

Love Hotels In Japan

Friends asked me all the time about the famous Love hotels in Japan .. and each time i tell them.. that they do exist.. and very popular not only with the tourist.. but with the locals as well.. they just can’t believe it.  No way..!! they said.   The japanese gals.. are so meek .. and conservative.  Muahahahah!!! wait till you meet them.. when they are vacationing abroad.  Most of my Japanese g/fs goes wild..!!!  i kid you not.  I love them a lot .. but you can never imagine.. how wild they get.. when they are out for fun.  For those who are not aware of this.. the Japanese girls.. love the darker skin men ..  truly i tell yer..  they have some sort of fascination for them.  No idea why.. but they just do.  My g/fs visited me in Singapore.. and  they ALL got hooked up with the malay boys back home.

The Japanese are a great bunch.. but they do love their animes and Hello Kitty a lot as you can see here.  This is found in a love hotel in Osaka. Adonis Love hotel.  But having said that..  Love hotels in Japan are not only for those who wants a quick romp in bed with their lovers, it is a place for being romantic even with your legal husband and wife.  Why i hear you asking.. and scratching your heads.  Well.. in Japan land is really precious .. therefore it is not surprising to find someone living with their in-laws.. and their grandparents-in-laws.  So to be romantic.. at home, it can get quite impossible.  Therefore, sometimes couples choose to go to these love hotels.. and pay for them for a few hours.  To them .. it is not a Love Hotel .. it is a Rest Hotel.  Couples typically stay for a few hours.. because the wife/girlfriend.. like to relax after the romp and most Love Hotels .. cater to this need for the men with big screen tvs.. dvd players and even video games.  Have i been to any love hotels..?? you are prolly asking..??  No price for guessing it right.. hahah!!!

Traveling With Japanese Friends

I don’t know if it is just me or if it is my Japanese friends, whenever they come to town, they insist on splurging like there was no tomorrow.  Take for example, the trip we went to in Las Vegas, they inisisted on going for those ultra expensive las vegas suites even though we could have been very comfy in superior rooms. But since they were paying.. i didn’t really object to it.  Are all Japanese so generous..?? i think so..!  i remember my host parents.. throwing me a huge party during my birthday in a very expensive restaurant. .when i was doing cross training in Japan.  They were really awesome ppl.

Hotels In Osaka

This is the Swissotel Nankai in Osaka, being a hotelier before with the Swissotel group, i had the privileged to stay in their complimentary rooms when i was on vacation in Osaka many years ago.  When we had first decided to choose Osaka as one of our destination, we didn’t know that Osaka is actually a very vibrant city.  The hotel itself is at the heart of Namba .. where you can just shop till you drop because Takashimaya which consist of a 7 storey high shopping arcade is just beneath the hotel.   And when you are tired out with the shopping, you can just head back to the hotel’s 9 different restaurants and bar and i have to specially mention their  bar stools because they were really pretty and comfy. You bet it was expensive.. !! had we not had gotten complimentary rooms, I doubt that we could have afforded to stay a week in Osaka.

Spa Hotels Or Onsen

One of the many things i remembered while in Japan for work is the many weekends, we get invited by our co-workers for a weekend in an Onsen. The Shirahone Onsen is one that I remembered well because of its unique white looking water..  that comes from the high amount of caladium and magnesium.  Located in the higher up of the town about 2.5 hrs away from Tokyo by train, this Onsen is so unique with such a huge open space hot spring, they definitely have no need for spring plungers here.  For those who are not aware of this.. hot springs are known to be very good for health, therefore, the japanese flock to an Onsen whenever time permits.

Themed Room At Royal Park Hotel

Trust the Japanese to come up with this cute idea..!!  The hotel chain has a very unusual theme .. for their lil’ guests .. and i bet .. i would love it too even though i am not a kid. The summer theme includes having the whole room as a Rilakkuma theme and it comes with souvenirs and i heard it was in honor of the cartoon’s 5th anniversary.

Rilakkuma is actually a relax bear, a character produced by San - X company.  And it is not uncommon to see themes like these around Japan.. as they are constantly coming up with something to entice their guests.

Capsule Hotel In Japan

Capsule hotel is quick popular in Japan .. you pay about 3,000 - 4,000 Yen… for the night.. but it is only for men. It is also called the Coffin hotel.. because you sleep in a box.. shaped like a coffin. Open 24hrs.. you can come and go as you wished.. and store your luggage behind the counter. I know i wouldn’t like such an arrangement.. but if you were a backpacker.. or even a businessman.. and have no time to go home.. or missed the last train.. this would be the best thing to do.