The higher-end ones will have a telephone for outside calls, CATV and a minibar in the rooms. All have ensuite bathrooms and air conditioners. English will probably not be spoken. But that has meant that several groups of hotels who do want to cater to Western tastes have got themselves together to provide the facilities international travelers need. The highly recommended Welcome Inn Group is one such, and bookings can be made online.
Youth hostels are a rarity, but can be found within the city.
Often booked up weeks in advance, they offer dormitory-style accommodations for under JPY5,000. Now, for some accommodations uniquely Japanese - ryokans , capsule hotels, and weekly mansions. Ryokans are authentic Japanese-style inns, usually with only a few rooms, where tradition is observed. They offer a unique opportunity for the visitor to savor the essence of the traditional Japanese lifestyle. Rooms have tatami floors, decorated alcoves and sometimes a small but stunning Japanese-style garden.