There are many classes of accommodations in Japan, from the ultimate in luxury to novelty sleepover facilities. With more than the usual number of options, Japan provides all sorts of mix-and-match options for even the tightest budgets. Here are the basics, starting with the cheapest:

• Gay saunas function as business hotels and even offer private rooms at a surcharge for those who want to be undisturbed during the night. With lockers, robes, bathing and snack areas, saunas are a real money-saving option.
• Capsule hotels, sometimes more appropriately called "coffin hotels," are surely a novelty but function for those who have missed the last train home and want the cheapest accommodation available. For an extra surcharge you can use the sauna and bathing facilities which sometimes sees action between drink businessmen before they climb into their hive pod. Don't expect to be able to sit up or stretch your legs, but surprisingly you can easily read or watch TV.
• Business hotels are no frills and tiny, but resemble normal hotels with scaled down amenities.
• Love Motels rent for short time as well as overnight after 11pm. You should really consider them for their cheap price, unusually large size, novelty decor (Christmas on Mars, anyone?), and amenities like karaoke, widescreen TV and giant tubs. Usually you choose from a grid of backlit pictures in the lobby since each room is differently themed (Hello Kitty goes to Paris was sooo last week, darling). Not all love motels allow same-sex couples, but there are no doubt others nearby that will.
• Ryokan are Japanese versions of bed and breakfasts and sometimes come with dinner and a shared Japanese-style bathing pool. Here you may experience traditional rooms with sweet-smelling tatami matts, sliding paper screens, and futon that are laid out before bedtime. Great for tourists who want a bit of charm, but not interesting for Japanese and so the price is reasonable.
• Budget hotels, usually found around train stations, are less expensive than brand name chains and offer plenty of amenities like Internet access, safes, and fridges.
• Onsen (hot spring) resorts range from the mid-to-interstellar pricewise, but their seductive combination of traditional bathing facilities, usually outdoors or with a view of nature, and an incredible dinner of kaiseki-style edible art made from seasonal local ingredients served in your tatami matt room is something every japan-bound tourist should experience at least once!

The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Japan surveys the gay and lesbian scene in 27 cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Hiroshima. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers, as well as maps and addresses in Japanese. Click here to order

HIROSHIMA -- area code (81-82)

• Hotel Flex
  7-1 Kaminobori-cyo, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, 223-1000, FAX 223-5678. Inexpensive and beautifully modern hotel perched on one of downtown Hiroshima's scenic rivers. The design and decor are clean and stylish. The rooms, like most in Japan, are on the small side, but cozy.

KYOTO -- area code (81-75)

Comments from Utopians:

"Try the traditional Japanese inn, Hatoya Zuihoukaku, just a minutes' walk from the Kyoto Station at 802 Minami Fudo-cho, Seidouin Shiokojikudaru, Shimogyo-ku, 361-1231. Exit north at the station and turn left and walk one block, it's on the opposite corner, kind of a reddish brick building four stories high. Tatami matt rooms (your futon will be put out at night) with bathroom (there's also small communal baths for men or women on the top floor). No problem with same sex couples in a room. Very reasonably priced at about US$40 per person." -- Suzhouguy, Mar 2, 2007

NAGOYA (Aichi Prefecture) -- area code (81-52)

Comments from Utopians:

"Dai-Ichi Fuji Hotel (not to be confused with their Nishiki branch) is just a block away from the Nagoya Train Station. Although not as new as its Tokyo cousins, it's still under US$100/night with free Internet and hotel amenities." -- Azmi, Feb 10, 2007

NARITA (Chiba Prefecture) -- area code (81-476)

Comments from Utopians:

"Narita Tokyu Excel Hotel - very cruisy sauna, Japanese bath and lounge. Lots of hot airline crew and Asians. Lots of action!" -- hairybear, Mar 5, 2008

OSAKA -- area code (81-6)

Comments from Utopians:

"In Osaka I stayed at the Tokyu Inn which was a good hotel at a reasonable price and really well located for the gay bars etc." -- abj1, Apr 29, 2008

"Hokuoukan (see listing under Saunas for directions and description) is a cheap alternative to a hotel (if you don't mind being "bothered" throughout the night. Just leave your bags in a coin locker at the train station and take a small overnight bag. The overnight rate is only Y$2,800 (US$24) from 6pm until noon the next day and they also have more discount levels for those under 40 and those under 26. I think they might have private rooms also for about twice the price which I have never tried. I have stayed a couple times at the Coco love motel one block away from here: large rooms with fun entertainment like karaoke and a big bath tub for two. Love motel prices usually fall after 11pm for all night stays, but many do not accept same-sex couples." -- suzhouguy, Jan 13, 2006

TOKYO -- area code (81-3)

IKEBUKURO

Comments from Utopians:

"The Dai-ichi Inn branch, just north of the Ikebukuro Train Station, is under US$100/night with free Internet and full amenities. It's only four train stops from Shinjuku Station on the Yamanote line and the Narita Express now has trains going to/from Ikebukuro directly. The Jinya sauna is just a short walk away and there are lots of cheap eateries in the neighborhood. You can book it on Expedia or they do have a website as well where you can book via email in Yen. My room was not too cramped and the double bed was cozy." -- Azmi, Feb 10, 2007

SHINJUKU NI-CHOME, SAN-CHOME

The easiest way to get to the gay area is to take the underground walkway from Shinjuku Station's East Exit (down one floor after the train exit ticket machines) to Exit C5, C6, or C8 (see map).

The Shinjuku Ni-Chome neighborhood is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:



• 24 Kaikan
  See map and listing under Saunas.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Yes, you can stay overnight at the 24 Kaikan sauna in Shinjuku. Pay Y$2,600 yen a 13 hour stay. Keep your luggage in the coin lockers outside the sauna or in train stations (Y$100 cheaper for lockers outside the sauna). The locker inside sauna is only wide enough for a day bag. Take off your shoes before stepping in and get ready a Y$10 coin for the shoe locker." -- ykk, June 9, 2005

  "Try 24 Kaikan sauna with hotel facility." -- keikei, May 15, 2005

• Hotel Park Inn
  See map, 3354-9000. Great location at the edge of Ni-Chome's gay district. This business hotel has super tiny bedrooms (no closets, just two coat hangers) and is OK if you don't have a lot of luggage. No guests allowed to your room, so it's just a place to crash.
• Hotel S
  See map. Love motel conveniently located in the heart of the scene.
• Lorn Star
  See map. Located in the heart of Ni-Chome's nightlife. Free additional amenities at the lobby and free hot coffee/Japanese tea from dispenser at 4th floor. They can store your luggage before/after check out.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Note that this hotel does not allow two guests of the same gender to share a bed together." -- Algernon, Jan 22, 2007

  "Stay at Lorn Star in the heart of Ni-Chome. You can check all the guys from the hotel window." -- ykk, June 4, 2005

• Nishitetsu Inn
  7-23-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, 3367-5454. Located northwest of Shinjuku Station and a couple minutes walk from the Nishi-Shinjuku Station on the Marunouchi Subway. Only two subway stops away from Shinjuku San-Chome at the edge of Ni-Chome. Beautiful modern hotel with excellent accommodation and free in-room Internet access. Very reasonable rates for this area! Priority floor with special laundry and vending access for women-only. No smoking rooms available. Single rooms have large bed.

Comments from Utopians:

"In Tokyo I stayed at Prince Hotel which was well located for the gay area and reasonably priced." -- abj1, Apr 29, 2008

"The Hotel Tateshina is a budget hotel near Shinjuku 2-Chome that permits same-sex couples." -- Algernon, Jan 22, 2007

"Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is one of the best hotels in Tokyo." -- keikei, May 15, 2005

OTHER AREAS

Comments from Utopians:

"JAL City Yotsuya is small but clean, and is walking distance from the Shinjuku area." -- keikei, May 15, 2005