What's A Japanese Business Hotel?

Above, the room of the business hotel I stayed in.  It was slightly
larger than my work cubicle back in the U.S.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

You've probably heard of Japanese business hotels, but wondered what they are and what amenities they have available for the traveler.

Above, the bath was just big enough for
one person.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, these hotels are all over Japan and they provide the salaryman accommodations while away from home on business.

According to Japan-guide.com:

Business hotels can be found readily across Japan, providing economical and no-frills accommodation to travelers. The charge is typically between 5,000 and 10,000 yen per night for a single room, and many hotels also have a few twin or double rooms for typically 7,000 to 12,000 yen. Although rooms are relatively small, they are usually clean and well kept, with an attached bathroom.

Basic amenities such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, razors, cotton buds, shower caps and towels are normally provided. Most rooms also come with a television, an air conditioner, a telephone, a hairdryer, an empty refrigerator and a water boiler with complimentary green tea bags.

As the above states, the rooms are small. I stayed at one business hotel in Ueno, Tokyo in 2005, the Tsukuba Hotel. I stayed in the smallest hotel room I've ever seen. The accompanying photos attest to that. It could be a problem for one who is claustrophobic and can give the feeling of "bouncing off the walls." But I don't choose a hotel to just sit in after traveling thousands of miles. It served the purpose of a place to sleep and to clean up. Plus, it was cheap (about $50 U.S.). It was better than staying in one of Japan's famous capsule hotels. (It was in this hotel room that I experienced an earthquake for the first time in Japan.)

Above, a view looking towards the bathroom.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only window in the room was in the bathroom, and that had a lovely view of the neighboring building just across a narrow passageway. In the lobby, a room was set up with two computers for Internet access for the hotel's guests to use (navigating the Japanese keyboards were a bit of a challenge).

Still, the management was quite efficient and helpful. I enjoyed my stay there.

So if you don't mind a small room, a business hotel is the economical way to go.