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Accommodation
Note: The Welcome Card (Culture Card) offers reductions for foreign visitors on accommodation, meals, shopping and entertainment. It is available free of charge at JNTO’s Tokyo Tourist Information Centres, or for ¥700 from information centres at Kansai International Airport, Kyoto Prefectural Information Centre, Kyoto City Information Centre and Kobe City Information Centre.
HOTELS: Hotels are ‘Western’ or ‘Japanese’ style. Western-style accommodation (ranging from deluxe hotels to pensions) are much like any modern US or European hotel. Japanese-style hotels (ryokan) provide exciting new experiences: guests receive kimonos and wooden clogs and rooms come equipped with Japanese bathtubs and paper sliding doors. Many non-obligatory extras are available. Service charges of ten to 20 per cent are added to the bill. For more details contact the Japan Ryokan Association (website: www.ryokan.or.jp). Further information about other Japanese accommodation can be obtained by contacting the Japan Hotel Association, Shin Otemachi Building, 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004 (tel: (3) 3279 2706; fax: (3) 3274 5375; website: www.j-hotel.or.jp); or Japan Hotel Network, Hanagashima Cho, Sesemachi 1256-1-109, Sato Mansion 109, Miyazaki City (fax: (985) 322 213; e-mail: jhn@japanhotel.net; website: www.japanhotel.net); or The Japan National Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). For Tokyo Hotels specifically, contact the Tokyu Hotel Chain Co, Ltd, 10-3 Nagata-Cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan (tel: (3) 3581 8655; fax: (3) 3264 0225; website: www.tokyuhotel.com). Grading: No accommodation grading system operates in Japan.
GUEST-HOUSES: Minshuku, often found in resorts and vacation spots, are the Japanese equivalent of guest home-type lodging. Rates are moderate, and visitors should expect considerably fewer amenities than ryokan or western-style hotels. Visitors are expected to fold up their bedding in the morning and stow it away in a closet, and towels are usually not provided. No shoes are worn in the house as slippers are provided. Small gifts or five per cent may be given with the bill.
YOUTH HOSTELS: There are roughly 400 youth hostels throughout Japan. Many require visitors to be a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, although a guest card can be bought in advance at the Tokyo National Headquarters. Contact Japan Youth Hostels Inc, 2-20-7 Misaki-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0006 (tel: (3) 3288 1417; fax: (3) 3288 1248; e-mail: info@jyh.jp; website: www.jyh.or.jp).
PENSIONS: These are ‘Bed & Breakfast’ style lodges which offer a comfortable atmosphere. They are often located near ski resorts, lakesides or in more rural areas. For further information contact the Japan National Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).
Accommodation tax: As of October 2002, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced an ‘Accommodation Tax’ on hotels and inns around the city that charge over ¥10,000 per room. The tax will be ¥100 on rooms costing between ¥10,000 and ¥15,000 per night, and ¥200 for rooms costing over ¥15,000. For more information check online (website: www.metro.tokyo.jp).
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