Cheap hotels in Japan

Recently, we received an email request sent to our general address at travelife@travelife.biz. It read:

"Dear Travelife Magazine.

I'm a great fan of your magazine and of the Travelife blog. I collect every issue for reference and I log on to your blog almost the moment I wake up. I'm constantly amazed at all your travels and experiences, and reading everything is like a fairy tale. 

Your articles and blog have inspired me to explore the world. I especially want to see Japan someday. Unfortunately I can't travel the luxury way, so I am hoping you can offer some recommendations for good budget hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo..."

LUNCH, 100 YEN STORES 

AND THE CLEANERS

Unfortunately, nothing is particularly cheap in Japan, except for lunch sets, 100 yen stores and dry cleaning. Interestingly, for a country with one of the highest labor wages in the world, the dry cleaning is quick, thorough and incredibly reasonable.

Scroll down to read more...



You bring in your dry cleaning to a big and reliable chain like Hakuyosha before 10 AM and you can get it the same day at 6 PM, perfectly done and not much pricier than the top drycleaners in Manila.

Anyway, recently, apart from the very nice email above, we've been deluged by queries online and in person for recommendations for budget hotels in Japan.

The term "cheap" is relative, especially where Japan is concerned; but the following hotels would go on a Travelife shortlist for budget hotels that are also safe and clean.

Please keep in mind, though, that rooms will likely be small, public spaces cramped, bathrooms miniscule and service minimal for a Japan hotel at this price range. 

INEXPENSIVE HOTELS IN TOKYO

See our recommendations for Ginza, Akasaka, Shinjuku and Shibuya.

AKASAKA

Hotel Monterrey Akasaka

http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/htl/akasaka/index.html

Hotel Granbell Akasaka

http://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/akasaka/

GINZA

Hotel Monterrey Ginza

They have family rooms!

http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/htl/ginza/index.html

SHIBUYA

Shibuya Granbell Hotel

http://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/shibuya/

SHINJUKU

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo

http://www2.citadines.com/en/japan/tokyo/shinjuku.html

Scroll down to read our picks for Kyoto...

INEXPENSIVE HOTELS IN KYOTO

Hotel Monterrey

http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/htl/kyoto/guestroom.html

Hotel MyStays Kyoto Shijo

http://www.wmt.co.jp/en/location/ms_kyotoshijo/index.html

Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto

http://www2.citadines.com/japan/kyoto/karasuma_gojo.html

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