Hilton Tokyo

Hilton Tokyo is definitely a great hotel to stay when you are on vacation – we stayed for a few days when I first arrived in Japan and it definitely was expensive – but worth it. Located near Shinjuku – so it’s a great location if you are on vacation and doing a lot of shopping.

I loved that the bed was huge – and if you look at the windows – you would know that you are in Japan – I really loved the way the window folds – to block the sun.  Compared to the Hyatt Hotel – the Hilton seems to have bigger rooms.

Like all hotels in Japan – the bathroom is a wee bit small – but still very nice.

A view from our room.

From the Hilton Tokyo – the subway is about a 10 minutes walk – a good stroll for us – that’s for sure but some folks like to use the complimentary shuttle provided by the hotel.  The hotel staff were all very nice and very professional and speaks well in English – so you don’t have to worry if you need any help within the hotel.

Traditional Hotels In Japan

There are many kind of hotels in Japan – but even the most expensive ones will not give you the exact traditional feel of Japan till you’ve stayed in a Ryokan – a traditional japanese hotel – also known to as a B & B in the West.  Each ryokan is unique in their own ways – but most are beautiful with flowers, trees and shrubs all around the property  – some hanging on iron s hooks – while others are just potted around the ryokan.

Some even have an open air spa – like the Asaba Ryokan in Shuzenji Izu Japan – but this is a luxury ryokan and of course – it’s not cheap.  But most ryokan like the Asaba are pretty old and handed down for generations.  All of these ryokan – or traditional hotels are very personable and clean and comfy and all of them served breakfast – lunch and dinner.

Most ryokan have hot springs – not all but most – and I loved it so much – it was definitely an experienced for me.  The hot spring water is so good for your skin – so I’ve heard.

This is another Ryokan in Hakone  – it is called Hotel Senkei  – this place have a very nice hot spring.  And in all the ryokan that I’ve been to – they always provide you with a yukata.

I’m not very good sleeping on a tatami mat – truth be told – I rather a modern bed – that’s my only dislike of a ryokan.

For The Backpackers In Japan

There are several good and cheap backpacker’s hostel in Japan – and New Koyo is one of them – and the other that I’ve heard highly recommended in Tokyo was K’s House.   Near Asakusa – so you are actually nearby to just about everything in Tokyo.   They have just recently renovated the hostel a few years ago – so the rooms are quite comfortable and zen like.

This hostel is near Mount Fuji – and you can view a good view of the Fuji mountain from here – on good days.  Less than $50 a night – one can get free Wifi in the lobby area.

Lovely rooms – so for those who are on a budget or just want to save all their money to buy Hello Kitty stuff – these backpackers hostel are pretty good and safe.

Kyoto Tower Hotel

I love Kyoto tremendously – and while I was living in Japan for a short period of 6 months – I told myself that I could actually lived here.  Kyoto Tower Hotel is one of the best places to work for – because they even have disability insurance for their employees – so I’ve heard – all one need to do is go on the disability application online and apply for it.  It was funny how the Manager was telling us – I guess it is a comfort to know that you are being taken care of – if something do happen.  In Japan the medical cost can be quite hefty if you do not have health insurance.

We went to Kyoto by the high speed train aka the Shinkansen – Kyoto station is situated near the Kyoto Tower and hotel and everyone should come by and visit their rooftop garden and check out the awesome view from up there.  Of course, there is more to see in Kyoto – from temples to shop houses and eateries.  But we were only there for a day trip for a site inspection – so more on the hotel later.

Haunted In Japan

it was a funny story when I was in Osaka when one of my co-worker – pointed out that this hotel was haunted.  You see some woman got murdered here and her body was only found 2 days later.  How it is haunted I don’t really know – because there was no sighting of ghost at all.  But this is a love hotel – and before her body was found – it was rumored that other couples were frolicking in the same room that she was in dead.  So creepy right?  but yes! if you happen to be in Japan – Osaka – make sure you don’t stay in this love hotel – a Hotel Liebhaber.

Love Hotel In Japan

Did I tell you that I love living in Japan?  it’s quite amusing actually when being such a conservative country – yet one find things as amusing as the “love hotels” all over Shibuya.   Actually – they are all together – around the same places.  I guess most younger folks cannot afford to own their own places and apartments are paper thin – so a need of some privacy therefore – you find them using these love hotels.  I was told that those using the love hotels are actually mostly young married couples and even older married couples with teenage kids.

The Hotel Beat Wave is one of them – and usually folks uses the “rest” rate and not “stay” rate.  Most rooms I hear from these love hotels are themed.  Some are themed like a dungeon while others are like a beach resort.  Don’t worry about being seen registering into the rooms – because everything is very discreet and out of sight from the open street.

On Vacation With My Japanese Friends

I used to work in the hotel industry for about 15 yrs and during these 15 yrs – i’ve met so many good people that came thru’ the hotels I worked in.  You see when you are at the Front Desk – you get to make a lot of friends and with friends in the bell hop area – you get to meet nice Japanese friends too.   These Japanese friends are the longest friends that I’ve had – in fact – some turned into really good friends.  So when they went for their Branson vacation and sent me pictures of it – i cannot helped but wished i had gone too.  Why?  if you don’t know Japanese that goes on vacation are really fun people.  Really unlike themselves when they are back in their own hometown – they really have lots of fun and go wild.  So if you are ever going on vacation with someone – choose your Japanese friends – they are such fun to be with and they are awfully generous.  I would show you some pictures if i had a scanner – but never mind – i would find some to scan and put it up later.

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.