Accommodation
Travel by the common people was discouraged until relatively recently in Japanese history. Before the Edo Period (1603–1868), travel was only permitted for official purposes, and accommodation for common travellers was almost non-existent. It was only due to the establishment of the national highway system from 1602 that unofficial travellers, merchants, and pilgrims began to move more freely, albeit with restrictions. From the Meiji Restoration (1868) onwards, the construction of modern roads and railways gradually reduced traffic along rural routes, even among traders and pilgrims. Nonetheless, it was thanks to these travellers that many of the inns we still see today in rural areas were established and maintained. The accommodation styles naturally evolved in line with the culture and needs of such travellers.
Walk Japan’s tours include a variety of accommodation including Japanese inns and hotels. Wherever possible we stay at locally-owned and operated establishments, and since 1992 when Walk Japan began we have provided a stable and regular source of income to many family-owned restaurants and accommodation throughout Japan. On most tours we stay at Japanese-style inns for the majority of nights, interspersed with other styles of accommodation. The type of accommodation used is included in each tour itinerary.
Ryokan and minshuku Japanese inns
Japanese inns, which are known as ryokan and minshuku, are particularly meaningful to our tours as they provide us with lovely, more traditional experiences. Some are more rustic and atmospheric, while others more modern and luxurious. As is traditional, in some inns bathing and toilet facilities are shared but en-suite facilities are increasingly common. When shared, they are usually divided into male and female use and, where not, members of the opposite sex will never be expected to share at the same time. In some inns, facilities are available for couples to bathe together.
In older establishments there may be short flights of stairs to negotiate. By tradition, rooms have tatami straw mat flooring and often are only separated from neighbors by thin partitions. Bedding is usually futons in these establishments.
On tour, in almost all cases both morning and evening meals are eaten at the inns.
While Walk Japan is able to accommodate the rooming preferences of single travellers on the majority of nights, in a small number of establishments single travellers may be required to share. In the case that single travellers are required to share this will only ever be with a person of the same gender.
Western and Japanese Hotels
Hotels are Western or Japanese in style. In a Western-style hotel breakfasts tend to be buffet-style with a range of options. Evening meals will be eaten either at the hotel or in a local restaurant. Beds are provided, and rooms can vary in size from smaller in the cities to larger in rural areas. Both single and double occupancy rooms are available. Please note that the latter are mostly twin rooms.
A Japanese-style hotel may include more traditional elements such as Japanese cuisine. Sleeping arrangements may be futons or beds.
Shukubo pilgrim lodgings and guesthouses
On some tours we stay at shukubo pilgrim lodgings, which are closely linked with Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines. Meals are usually shojin ryori vegetarian style, and facilities tend to err on the more basic. Depending where we are, we may be invited to participate in religious ceremonies, but there is no obligation to accept.
Less commonly, we stay at guesthouses that are not easily categorised because each is so individualistic. These differences are detailed in the Pre-Tour Pack sent in advance of your tour.
Onsen hot springs
Onsens are a feature of many an accommodation, whether Japanese inn, hotel, lodging or guesthouse. Added to this are onsen resorts, which are usually larger establishments that are modern facilities boasting multiple onsen baths, saunas and other entertainments.
In the accommodation
Futons
In most cases, Japanese-style accommodation provide futons, the traditional means to go to bed. These are folded up and put away during the day, and then laid out at night on tatami mat floors. Staff lay these out in a ryokan, whereas in a minshuku this is done by the occupant.
Futon bedding is composed of one or two shiki-buton mattresses sometimes laid over a light, foam layer. On top is a kake-buton duvet and in colder weather a blanket is also provided.
Bathing
In Japanese-style accommodation, bathing is usually in shared facilities that are split between male and female use. In some cases bathing facilities may be shared between the sexes but these are used individually or as a couple.
The Pre-Tour Pack provides a full introduction to bathing practices and etiquette. Please also refer here for a detailed overview of Japanese bathing.
Each tour itinerary indicates whether an accommodation’s baths are onsen hot spring waters drawn from below the ground or regular hot water.
Food
Meals, whether breakfast or dinner, in inns are invariably Japanese cuisine. Although the contents of the meal will vary according to the establishment and the season, in general it will be composed of a variety of dishes including rice, fish, meat, vegetables, miso soup and a small dessert. Very occasionally in inns and usually in hotels, breakfast is Western-style. The latter is commonly a buffet.
On guided tours, the group eats together with the Walk Japan tour leader. On self-guided tours, dining is often in your room or at a local restaurant.
Please refer to our Food and Drink page for further information.
Laundry
Japanese inns do not usually provide laundry facilities. Therefore, on our longer tours we stay at hotels that provide coin laundry. The Pre-Tour Pack details where and when these are available. On shorter tours laundry services are not usually available.
Electrical
Japan’s electrical system is at 100v 50/60mhz using the typical American Type A plug with two vertical pins. Please make sure to have the correct adapter and that devices are suitable for the Japanese electrical system.
Single supplement
The single supplement is required for all solo travellers. Wherever possible we provide single rooms, but in certain cases, we may ask solo travellers to share a room with one other solo traveller of the same gender.
Sharing may be necessary due to the availability of certain room types, or the overall number of rooms in an accommodation. This is more often the case in Japanese inns, where futons can be easily rearranged around the room.
The number of nights that you may need to share a room as a solo traveller will be confirmed before your tour.
