Accommodation In Japanese: 20+ Easy Words To Learn Now!

Do you agree that Japan is often the first country recommended when someone asks where they can find a wide variety of lodging options and the highest standard of hospitality?

In all honesty, Japan is consistently ranked highly as a place to visit and stay which is why we find it necessary to discuss accommodation in Japanese today!

We have long been in amazement of the Japanese innovation performance, whether in the sphere of technology designed to make human life easier or in the hospitality sphere, where hotel staff consistently go above and beyond to develop fresh experiences for visitors.

Japan offers a wide range of accommodation options, from 5-star hotels to “capsule hotels,” which are essentially small rooms. You may pick between sleeping on the floor, on a bed, or even in a manga café!

However, before we get into the specifics of Japanese accommodation vocabulary, let’s start with learning about the specifics of each accommodation option and the Japanese art of hospitality.

Omotenashi (おもてなし) – The Art Of Japanese Hospitality

Accommodation In Japanese - omotenashi

Omote means “face” or “front” in English, whereas “nashi” means “without” in Japanese. Most people think of Omotenashi as the practice of helping others without hoping for anything in return. However, the depth of Japanese hospitality is far more than most people realize.

While omotenashi’s exact meaning remains unclear, its presence is worth remembering. It’s the kind of hospitality you’ll receive everywhere, from the hotel to the restaurant to the train. For example, when you visit a shop or a restaurant in Japan, the staff will typically greet you with a friendly “Irasshaimase” (いらっしゃいませ), which translates to “Welcome to the store.” Or, the Japanese airport workers will arrange the luggage on the conveyor belt to make it convenient for travelers to grab.

Let’s move on to the accommodations in Japan, where omotenashi can be experienced firsthand.

Types Of Japanese-Style Accommodation

Accommodation In Japanese

Hotels in Japan range from Western-style chains to traditional Japanese inns, each with its unique atmosphere and price. Next, let’s explore each one in detail.

Ryokan

It’s the top Japanese traditional accommodation choice for people seeking to stay in family rooms and experience a high level of hospitality where staffs wear kimonos to welcome you. Staying in large rooms in traditional inns, you’ll get to try authentic Japanese breakfast and sleep on a comfy futon, the Japanese-style mattress. And even have your private hot springs. Unfortunately, a nights stay at a location like this would set you back at least 6,000 yen, so let’s start saving up!

Japanese Guest House

Typically, the residents in the area own it. So there is a good possibility that you may find a place in a traditional Japanese lifestyle cheaper than a ryokan if you stay in the countryside, as Japanese farmers often own these guesthouses.

Japanese Capsule hotels

This cheap hotel is in common areas, such as close to the train station, and it’s probably your choice if you miss the last train. You’ll get to sleep in small capsules next to others, but you’ll unbelievably feel so private and prices vary greatly depending on facilities.

Temple Lodging

This is the spot to go if you want to be in the middle of the mountains and have peace. Many Buddhist temples offer housing, two vegetarian meals a day, and the chance to participate in morning prayers.

Manga Café

People who seek to have a unique experience should keep manga cafes as another choice. Customers can relax in a booth or a bench and enjoy some Japanese comics while using the free WiFi. In addition, many are accessible 24 hours and have a range of conveniences, making them a suitable option for budget travelers.

Japanese Conversation At The Hotel

Accommodation In Japanese

The hotel is an excellent place to practice your conversational skills, so let’s go through some discussion topics.

Checking In And Out At The Hotel

  • チェックアウト は何時ですか? (chekku auto wa nanji desuka?) – What time is the check-out?

Follow the same structure if you want to ask when you can have breakfast.

  • 朝食 は何時ですか? (choushoku wa nanji desuka?) – What time is the breakfast?

Asking For Internet Connection

  • WiFi は ありますか? (WiFi wa arimasuka?) – Do you have WiFi?
  • WiFi のパスワードはなんですか? (WiFi no pasuwa-do wa nan desuka?) – What’s the WiFi password?

Asking If Something You Want Is Available

  • … はありますか? (… wa arimasuka?) – Do you have …?

You can simply add the words in the blank, such as 電子レンジ (denshi renji), which means microwave.

Vocabulary About Accommodation In Japanese

If you’re preparing to ask the locals for a place to live or stay, here are all the words you need. Yes, let’s explore that more!

Japanese WordPronunciationEnglish Definition
宿泊 しゅくはくshukuhakuaccommodation, lodging
iehouse
貸し別荘kashi bessu rental villa 
ホテル hoteruhotel 
アパートapaato apartment 
マンション manshoncondominium, mid or high-rise apartment 
高級ホテル  koukyuu hoteru luxury hotels
ビジネスホテル bijinesu hoteru business hotels (simple western hotels or western style Hotels)
旅館 ryokantraditional Japanese inn 
スキー場 sukii jyou ski resorts
民宿 minshukuJapanese-style bed and breakfast lodgings or guesthouse 
ラブホテル rabuhoterulove hotel 
 ryou dormitory or hostel
ホステル hosuteruhostels 
ユースホステル yuusuhosuteru youth hostel 
カプセルホテル kapuseru hoteru capsule hotel 
和洋室wayu shitsu  hotel rooms with both western-style and Japanese elements
宿坊 Shukubutemple lodging 
まんが喫茶 manga kissamanga café 
お部屋 oheyaroom 

Summary

Japan has various hotel types to suit different budgets and tastes. We’re confident that after reading this, you’ll see Japan as a country that is both utterly unique and incredibly innovative. Moreover, Japan has a diverse range of places to stay, and the locals and foreign tourists are treated to top-notch hospitality. If planning a trip to Japan, use the above words and phrases to help you identify unique lodging options and interact with natives.

Learn Japanese With Ling Now!

Do you, too, hope to one day work in Japan’s prestigious hotel industry? You’re not alone in your ambition to push yourself to the limits of your hospitality profession by working at the top of the industry. However, your success in Japan will depend on your ability to speak Japanese fluently.

Learn accommodation in Japanese with Ling

Engage Ling’s services and go closer to your goal! For the simple reason, Ling provides Japanese vocabulary for all levels, from beginner to intermediate. Indeed, some of the positions in the hospitality business may not demand an extensive vocabulary. But consider this: if you’re responsible for formally greeting the hotel visitor in Japanese, how do you think you will perform if you do not have a strong command of the language? So it would help if you had a solid vocabulary of Japanese phrases in your hands. In the long term, this will benefit your career and your personal life in Japan.

Most Japanese learners chose Ling to help them succeed, so why not join them? Download the Ling App from the Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore now, and prepare to be fluent in Japanese soon!

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