RideJapan wants you to enjoy your time with us and in Japan, so we choose a variety of accommodation options when designing a tour. Japan abounds in accommodations, both western-style and Japanese. Types of accommodation vary widely in terms of style and services, however, all RideJapan Cycling Tours have been tried and tested to integrate with the best that the region and Japan has to offer. We choose to stay in the familiar comforts of a western-style hotel, great after a long day in the saddle and simplicity is needed or to enjoy the comfort and personal attention of a traditional Japanese inn, ryokan or western style Lodge.
All of Japan’s cities have many western-style hotels,with famous-name chains well represented in all larger cities. In these hotels, the staff will speak English. Especially in peak tourist seasons, it is best to book far in advance. More than 220 member hotels of the Japan Hotel Association(JHA) have consistently high standards of service and facilities. The majority of these hotels will have the same amenities as any western establishment in any country, including heating, TVs, air conditioning and swimming pools, with the possible additional services of interpreters and shopping and health centers.
Ryokan are a form of traditional Japanese travel accommodation that has been widely used since long ago. Combining the comforts of a hotel with those of your own home, Ryokan are places where you can enjoy the unique culture and lifestyle which have developed in Japan, and also her unique traditions of service.
Furthermore, Ryokan are located in every region of the country in places with distinctive local food, culture and points of interest, and offer an experience of the real Japan as it changes with the seasons.
Not that RideJapan uses them often, but one way to penetrate below the surface of the daily life you’re passing through, is to check into a minshuku. The Japanese equivalent of guest-home type lodgings, minshuku are family-run businesses, with the rented rooms being part of the owners’ own home. They are often found in choice resorts and vacation spots, and feature moderate rates.
As befits their “home industry” status, minshuku offer considerably fewer amenities than strictly professional establishments. Guests, for example, are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, just as a family member would. When in Rome…
Pension accommodations generally fall somewhere between the homey atmosphere of a minshuku and the more pampered amenities of a hotel.
They are usually found in areas popular for sports, such as near ski resorts and in mountains and their open-spirited philosophy and unrestricted management styles are usually very accommodating to anyone who is adaptable
