Staying in a variety of Western and Japanese style hotels, as well as a minshuku and a ryokan,
proved to be some of the many highlights of my trip to Japan.
The Western style hotels all had the added comfort of a warmed toilet seat
combined with a powerful in-built bidet.
The decor contrasted strongly with a room at a traditional Japanese inn.
When entering you are invited to leave your shoes in the hallway.
Just slip on one of the many pairs of slippers at your disposal instead.
The shower is replaced by an Onsen, the traditional Japanese spa.
One of the most interesting experiences was the 9 Hours pod hotel in Kyoto. As the name suggests, the concept is that a guest only needs to spend a total of 9 hours in a hotel, from 11pm to 8am.
Consequently, no room is necessary. Instead you rent a pod for the night,
which surprisingly renders a peaceful night's sleep.
There is no contact at all between different genders once you leave the reception area.
Women and men are only allowed to use separate lifts, while their respective pods,
toilets and shower rooms are all on different floors.
A minshuku is the Japanese equivalent of a bed and breakfast. In light of the service and high quality of food served, it can prove to be extremely good value for money.
My knees suffered a little from dining without a chair to sit on, but it was nevertheless an experience that was not to be missed.
Spending time at a so-called Love Hotel, where rooms are rented out by the hour as opposed
to the day, is another traditional Japanese experience. Since many young Japanese couples
still live with their respective parents, the Love Hotel offers them a refuge
where they can enjoy the privacy of each other's company.
The design of such establishments, both inside and out, is extremely gaudy and garish in appearance. Rates vary according to what time of day or night it is, and whether you wish to 'rest' (a 3-4 hour
stint only) or 'stay' (overnight). You pay upon exiting, so leaving your room for any reason
at all will mean you forfeit your right to the accommodation you have booked.
