How to Find Hotels in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a gleaming modern city in the heart of Japan, a country steeped in ancient tradition and unique culture. Modern-day Tokyo has become a world center for business, fashion, entertainment and travel, making it one of the most popular travel destinations in the world today.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Credit card
• Hotel reservation
• Plane tickets
• Passport
• Computer
• Map
• Rental car

Know Your Destination

1. Expect some culture shock. Tokyo is the heart of a prosperous and modern Japan where ancient tradition and contemporary pop culture collide.

2. Pack a Japanese-English dictionary. Though you will find many people eager and willing to try out their English, Japanese is still the official language and the one most commonly used.

3. Pack appropriate clothing. Japan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, including a rainy season that peaks around June to July.

Organize Transportation

4. Fly to Narita. Tokyo is the nexus of Japan and all non-Chinese international flights will land at this international airport.

5. Travel by train whenever possible. Trains in Tokyo, and indeed in all of Japan, are fast, reliable and inexpensive.

6. Travel by underground rail system; this system is also inexpensive, reliable and fast.

Choose Your Lodging

7. To book accommodations, contact Tokyo Metropolitan Government at 011 (03) 5321 3077 or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

8. Embrace the minimalism of Tokyo interiors. Tokyo accommodations near the low end of the price spectrum may seem remarkably small to the average American visitor.

9. Reserve your stay at a ryokan in Tokyo. Ryokan (inns) abound in Japan and offer some of the most affordable and highest-quality accommodations.

10. Stay in family-owned hotels for a truly unique and rewarding holiday in Japan. The experience is much like staying in an American bed and breakfast.

Be Familiar With Local Information

11. Enjoy the exciting nightlife of Tokyo. Karaoke is wildly popular, so pick up a mike.

12. Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. The natural beauty that inspires this well-known event draws visitors from all over the world.

Tips & Warnings

• The prices of accommodations in Tokyo are based on the number of occupants per room.
• Tipping is not mandatory and is only used for service that is truly outstanding.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Book travel and accommodations early. Tokyo is famous for its festivals; major happenings occur on an almost monthly basis.
• Expect small rooms with far fewer frills and luxuries than you'll find in American hotels.
• Be aware that Tokyo, Japan is located on the so-called Ring of Fire, an area of seismic and volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean. Earthquakes can and do happen here.