During my stay in Japan, I travelled quite a lot. I did a few of academic trip with a large group of people, but I also made a small trip with one or two friends. In the other time, I travelled alone.
When you go with a big group, you will have this coordinator who will do all the bookings and itinerary so people can just relax and enjoy the trip. But this is not a good idea for some people. People have different needs (or demands), and some people just cannot adjust to the need of others. Hence, the small group or solo traveling are good alternatives.
As I did various trips with many kinds of groups, I experienced staying in different types of Japanese hostel. I went out of my comfort box, trying out places that I never thought I would want to even visit for 5 minutes (LOL). This has kind of opened my eyes (a little bit, not fully opened yet) and I think I won’t mind if I have to stay in these places again. But only in Japan! (LOL again)
So today I’d like to share several alternatives for accommodation in Japan. Just in case you want to try 😉
- 3 stars hotel
My first trip to Japan was a business trip. My lecturers, research mates, and I went to Ube for a conference. We used a travel agent to handle our accommodations and itinerary. And since it was sponsored by our organization, of course they gave us a ‘descent’ place to stay (let’s say it’s decent. Not luxury hotels, but at least not a dorm either).
In Hakata (Fukuoka) we stayed in Hakata Green. I think it’s a 3 stars hotel, and it’s located in the city centre. Only 5 minutes walking from Hakata Station. So it’s very convenient. I was staying in a double room, sharing with a friend. Staying here, I didn’t find it so different with hotels in other countries like Malaysia or Hong Kong. Only toilets are different, but all Japanese toilets are not ordinary, so yeah. Soaps, shampoos, and skin cares were provided in the shower room. I was surprised to see Shiseido there, but long after I found out that in Japan, Shiseido produce different products to different market (they sell cheap products too). So I think the ones in hakata green was the cheap one.
- 1 star hotel
I travelled alone to Osaka for 4 days. I stayed in Wako Hotel at Shin Imamiya (4,800 yen/ 3 nights). I booked a single room in this hotel because I think I would want to have a personal space after I spent the whole day exploring the city. Also, I need space to pray. Roommates might find this disturbing. Yet I still had to share the bathroom and toilets (no budget for rooms with attached bathroom)
The hotel was okay (considering the low price). I was expecting a dirty (or at least old toilet bowls without bidget) bathroom& toilet but it was the other way around! It was clean, modern, and good (bidget is very very important for me). When we want to use them, we will have to ask for the keys because it is locked all the time. I think this is how they keep it clean and to avoid long queue in front of the room.
The room was okay. It did not have air conditioner (I didn’t neet it anyway, it was winter and I was freezing to death), only ceiling fan. Small TV. Futon. No bed, sorry.
Okay it’s midnight here in Malaysia. I am both sleepy and hungry. Will continue this later. See you!