From luxury hotels to ryokan and guesthouses, Japan has a wide range of accommodation options. This vocabulary guide covers everything you’ll need for a smooth stay.
At a Glance: Types of Accommodation
| Japanese | Reading | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ホテル | hoteru | Western-style hotel |
| 旅館 | りょかん (ryokan) | Traditional Japanese inn |
| 民宿 | みんしゅく (minshuku) | Japanese bed and breakfast |
| ゲストハウス | gesutohausu | Guesthouse / hostel |
| カプセルホテル | kapuseru hoteru | Capsule hotel |
| ビジネスホテル | bijinesu hoteru | Business hotel (affordable, functional) |
Key Vocabulary at the Front Desk
• チェックイン (chekku in) — Check-in | チェックアウト — Check-out | 予約 (よやく) — Reservation | 部屋 (へや) — Room | シングル / ダブル / ツイン — Single / Double / Twin | フロント — Front desk | 鍵 (かぎ) — Key
Useful Phrases
予約をした〇〇です。 — I have a reservation under 〇〇.
部屋のカギをなくしてしまいました。 — I lost my room key.
タオルを追加でいただけますか？ — Could I have extra towels?
チェックアウトを延長できますか？ — Can I extend my check-out time?
YukaWhat makes a ryokan different from a regular hotel?
ReiRyokan offer traditional Japanese hospitality: tatami rooms, futon bedding, yukata robes, multi-course kaiseki meals (朝食・夕食 included), and communal baths (大浴場 or 温泉). Most have strict check-in/check-out times and rules about the baths. They’re more expensive but a unique cultural experience!
YukaDo ryokan usually have private bathrooms?
ReiRyokan vary. Budget ryokan often have shared baths (共同浴場). High-end ones may have private baths (部屋風呂 or 露天風呂). Check when booking: 部屋に風呂はありますか？ (Is there a bath in the room?)
5 Practice Sentences
| # | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 鈴木という名前で予約しています。 | I have a reservation under the name Suzuki. |
| 2 | 朝食付きのプランはありますか？ | Do you have a plan with breakfast included? |
| 3 | Wi-Fiのパスワードを教えてください。 | Could you tell me the Wi-Fi password? |
| 4 | 旅館では浴衣を着られますか？ | Can I wear a yukata at the ryokan? |
| 5 | 荷物を預かっていただけますか？ | Could you hold my luggage for me? |
Quick Quiz
1. What is 旅館 (ryokan)? → A traditional Japanese inn
2. How do you say “check-in”? → チェックイン (chekku in)
3. How do you ask for extra towels? → タオルを追加でいただけますか？
Practice in the Comments!
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