Only in Japan || 12 Wonderful & Unique Places to Stay in Japan (+ A Bonus Entry)

Want Weird Places to Stay in Japan? 12 Awe Inspiring Places to Stay (+ 1 BONUS)

Japan is famous for all things unique and weird. And it certainly doesn’t stop at its hotels.

If you’re looking for unique places to stay in Japan, you won’t be disappointed.

There’s an abundance of weird and unique hotels in Japan that will leave you with too much choice; rather than not enough choice. 

But we try to cover something different here… 

Instead of (just) weird and unique hotels in Japan, we want to go over some alternative accommodation types.

Whilst we do cover a section on weird and unique hotels in Japan, including themed hotels and other famous hotels, we concentrate on the more unique and more peculiar places to stay in Japan.

It’s easy to look up some weird-themed hotels in Japan, but after living there for a year, I ended up staying in some pretty weird and unique places. 

You won’t necessarily find these places on TripAdvisor or booking.com either.

These provided me with the most unique and interesting experiences in Japan by far. And I’m super lucky to have been able to stay in these unique places in Japan! 

SPOILER || In my opinion the best places to stay in Japan were the Manga Cafe, Buddhist Monastery stay and the ski resort in summer. Skip right to them if you fancy..! 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Ski Resort (Summer)

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Wild Camping

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Ryokan Traditional Stay

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Sleeper Train

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Love Hotels

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Capsule Hotels 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Manga Cafe

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Hot Springs / Onsens

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Buddhist Monastery 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Naoshima

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Themed Hotels 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Weird Hotels 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Homestay (with LTL)

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || FAQs

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Ski Resort (Summer)

So staying in a ski resort in Japan is certainly very special, but it’s not very unique.

Japan has some of the best snow in the world, famous for its ultra-soft powder snow. Going skiing or snowboarding there is an experience you’ll certainly never forget. 

But staying in a ski resort in Japan in summer was one of the most unique and special experiences I’d ever had.

I stayed near Nagano but I think if you try this in many different ski resort areas it would be quite the experience, too! 

What makes this stay in Japan unique is a few things.

As somewhere up in the mountains, it gets quite cool at night, even in the height of Japanese summers which can get very humid.

There will be almost no one around, and you’ll be surrounded by lush green pastures and hills that usually provide the base for ski slopes but instead are lovely places to go for walks around.

It was also bizarre to have ski themed things all around the hotel as well as the typical wooden structures that seem to make up a lot of ski resorts. Except it was warm. And there was no snow. 

My hotel also had a private outside onsen. You had to book your time slot in advance (but it was OK because no one else was there!) then you stepped outside and… got naked under the stars!

No light or noise pollution; just you sitting naked in a hot bath outside. 

How’s that for uniqueness?

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Camping

Camping in Japan gets on this list of unique places to stay in Japan because the culture is so unique.

It’s permitted to wild camp absolutely anywhere in Japan (pretty much!) and the thing that makes wild camping in Japan so unique is just how safe it is.

You could travel the whole country in a tent and not have to worry about someone nicking your stuff or having an uninvited visitor at night. 

I suppose you might have to watch out for bears in the mountains, though. 

Those visiting the Mt. Fuji area often attempt to get a hotel with a view of Fuji San.

And pay for it.

Well, you could just set up your tent at one of the lakes or in a convenient location to wild camp… 

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Ryokan

This is one of the most famous and best places to stay in Japan.

It’s unique because it’s unique to Japan only, and very traditional Japanese culture.

Although, it’s not so unique in the sense that it’s unique within Japan. There are hundreds and thousands of Ryokans in Japan. 

Ryokan is basically a traditional Japanese hotel…

So you can find them everywhere.

Although some are more unique than others.

I won’t list them here as it basically depends on where you’re wanting to go.

Some of the more traditional but more touristy ones you can find in Kyoto, and for off-the-beaten-path kind of stuff you can find the best Ryokans in small villages and towns in the middle of nowhere.

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Sightseeing Sleeper Train 

Sleeper trains are pretty unique places to stay for most of us.

Unless you’ve spent time travelling in large countries where sleeper trains are the norm, such as India and China, then you’ve likely never even spent the night on a sleeper train. 

So first unique point crossed off! 

But this is Japan. And in terms of unique places to stay, Japan doesn’t do things in half measures…

I’ve travelled on my fair share of sleeper trains. Actually, I’ve probably spent over a month of my life just travelling on sleeper trains. Maybe even two.

But nothing is quite like the luxury you’ll get on a Japanese sleeper train, making it one of the most unique stays in Japan and one of the most fabulous experiences you’ll have. 

There are actually different trains you can get in Japan. But these two are the most unique… 

Shiki-Shima Train Japan 

This train in Japan opened in 2017.

It’s the most luxurious train in the world – and its tickets come with this price tag, too.

DID YOU KNOW || There’s a Michelin-star restaurant on board and two glass observatories you can look out of as you enjoy the view.

There’s only space for 34 passengers in the 17 suites that include bathtubs and lofts. 

Talk about unique stays in Japan… You seriously can’t beat this one!

Check it out here.

Seven Stars

The Seven Stars train is another luxury train in Japan.

It is a sightseeing train that offers two-four day itineraries travelling around Japan’s southern Kyushu island. 

This train also offers fine dining and a definite luxury experience with its live music and grand piano.

Money can’t buy you a ticket for this, though. Well, money is partly it – but luck has to be in your favour too as tickets work on a lottery system. 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Love Hotel

Love Hotels in Japan are ubiquitous and in recent years have gained a lot of attention. 

DID YOU KNOW || Originally, Love Hotels came about because of the lack of privacy couples experience in Japan.

Walls are traditionally very thin (sometimes literally just paper) and the Japanese like their privacy.

It might not be culturally acceptable (or might not have been) to spend the night with someone you’re not married to. So, in comes the Love Hotel! 

This is a hotel you pay for by the hour. But, you can also stay the night. 

They can’t be booked in advance in general. This makes them great places to stay in if you need a last-minute hotel. 

Plus, the thing that makes them most unique is that they’re not usually manned by people… in order to protect the privacy of the Japanese people, you should never actually see any staff here.

Instead, you walk in, choose your room on the machine, walk to the right room – then you pay on your way out. Basically, if you don’t pay, you can’t get out… that’s usually how it works! 

Some of these Love Hotels can be themed. Some are not.

Most will include weird lists of dress-up costumes and… toys of varying natures.

Others can include some pretty unique features such as water beds, interesting flashing lights and ceiling mirrors. 

Other countries like Korea and China also have Love Hotels, but no one does them quite like Japan.

This makes the Love Hotel in Japan one of the most unique and best places to stay in Japan! 

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Capsule Hotels

This almost made it to my list at the top of my favourite unique places to stay in Japan, but Japan’s capsule hotels are so famous now I thought it was too cliche.

Nevertheless, they are some of the most unique places to stay in Japan and shouldn’t be missed from your list! 

If you’ve never heard of a capsule hotel, they’re pretty self-explanatory.

They originated from businessmen in the city kind of needing a cheap, last-minute place to stay that doesn’t take up too much room or effort.

In crowded cities in Japan, space is of great value.

Capsule hotels provide small but comfortable ‘pods’ for you to sleep in. Indeed, around the world, they’re now referred to as Pod Hotels. 

Sometimes, they can be stacked on top of one another and have just enough room to squeeze into – sometimes they have double beds and plenty of space even for your luggage.

They can be super luxury and more for the experience – or super low budget and practical. 

Pick your capsule hotel accordingly! 

TOP TIP || I’d recommend staying just for one night. Make sure to tick off this super unique stay in Japan experience! 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Manga Cafe 

Not to be confused with a book hotel which we will cover shortly, staying in the Manga Cafe was my favourite ‘unique’ stay in Japan. 

It’s so unique it doesn’t even really count as a place to stay or as a hotel… Nevertheless, there are even Japanese who actually ‘live’ here. 

So, what’s the deal? 

Manga Cafes have been around for ages.

They basically serve the interest of the avid manga reader. It’s a massive room, or several, which you pay to enter and is basically a massive library of Manga.

Some also contain games rooms and other things to keep you busy.

The idea is that you go in and just devour as much manga as you like. You pay by the hour so you just stay as long as you want. 

To keep you there longer, they also offer things such as free drinks and ice cream, as well as shower and wash facilities.

DID YOU KNOW || Prices vary on the package you buy, too. You can choose a chair, a chair with a computer, or sometimes little private pods with four walls (but no ceiling) and a tatami mat or chair. 

This is where your overnight stay comes in…

Whilst not actually registered accommodation (so they might not accept you as a foreigner), you can choose a booth with a tatami mat to sleep in. Go as late as you can as some only offer max 10-hour package. 

Then grab yourself some books and get comfortable!

BE AWARE || Not designed as a place to sleep, there are no pillows and blankets in general but you can make it comfortable if you’re prepared.

The lights may also stay on all night and it may be noisy. But it’s certainly one of the most Japanese experiences you’ll have and something very very unique… 

Recently, there has been a phenomenon of people sleeping here. This is mostly young people or students.

Why? Because it’s VERY cheap. 

I stayed in a manga cafe on the 12th floor of a department store right in the middle of Shibuya. There is no cheaper accommodation like it!

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Hot Springs / Onsens

Onsens are famous in Japan.

There is nothing quite like them in the world!

Stay in any of Japan’s famous onsens and you’ll have a truly unique experience.

You can find out more about the best ones to visit with our article here… 👇

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Buddhist Monastery 

One of my favourite places I stayed in Japan was Koyasan.

This is a sacred mountain area that’s simply gorgeous, and definitely unique!

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the beginning/end of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This is a famous pilgrimage that takes 3 months to complete and features a total of 88 temples. 

Koyasan has 100 temples – and you can choose one to stay in for the night.

This is a truly unique experience as you are permitted in some of them to join in meditation and chanting with the monks – although bear in mind you should get up early for this.

You can also try traditional Buddhist food and have a walk around the temple area which is beautiful and situated in the mountains. 

There’s nothing like this anywhere in the world, making this experience certainly one of the most unique stays in Japan. 

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Naoshima

Love art? Want to stay in an art gallery? Look no further.

Naoshima offers you the experience of pretty much staying in an art gallery, as the entire island is an art island, with artworks from the famous Yayoi Kusama! 

There are various places to stay here and all around you can enjoy the artwork dotted around the island.

Stay at Benesse House which is both a gallery/museum as well as a fancy hotel. 

I’ve never heard of an art island elsewhere.

So this makes this stay in Japan pretty darn unique!

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Themed Hotels 

We all know of Japan’s various themed hotels so maybe we’ll write them all down in another blog…

For now, if you have time, why not plan a themed hotel for your Japan travel itinerary? 

There is so much to choose from – from Hello Kitty themed to Christmas themed, to Sake themed.

These hotels are very unique and really only available in Japan. 

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Weird Hotels

Aside from themed hotels in Japan, there are also a bunch of just really unique hotels.

Again, one for another blog maybe, but we thought we’d list these weird hotels in Japan here. 

Ice Hotel 

An ice hotel in Hokkaido 👀

Wrap up warm!

Former Nintendo HQ 

One for the gamers 🎮

World’s Oldest Hotel

Nishiyama Onsen was founded in 705 AD.

This has officially been recognised as the world’s oldest hotel by the Guinness Book of World Records! 

Cat Cafe Hotel

We all know of cat cafes, but have you heard of cat cafe hotels?

Well, a cat cafe offers this experience in Osaka.

It’s the world’s first of its kind (opened in 2019) and is definitely one for the cat lovers!  

Samurai Villages

In Wanoi Kakunodate you can stay in ancient houses in the town famous for its samurai residences – six of these you can visit. 

Hirado Castle 

Want to stay in a castle?

Japan has just the place for you!

Hirado Castle in Nagasaki offers a castle experience (in an actual castle) for all the princes and princesses out there.

This is definitely up there with the most unique and best places to stay in Japan!

Henn Na Hotel 

Also known as the Robot Hotel, this hotel is pretty much run by robots.

It’s quite the experience! 

Book Hotels

Now popping up all over Japan and not to be confused with Manga Cafes (that offer manga exclusively), book cafes are pretty much like a library you can sleep in. 

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Unique Places to Stay in Japan || Homestay (LTL)

You can’t get a much more unique or immersive experience in Japan than by staying with a Japanese family…

Perfect for learning about the culture and about the language, LTL offers one of the most unique stays you can get in Japan!

Our homestay experiences in Japan are coupled with a Japanese language course which gives you the perfect platform to propel your Japanese skills to new heights.

There you have it! An extensive list of the most unique and best places to stay in Japan.

No where does it quite like the land of the rising sun.

Which one would you choose? Tell us in the comments below!

Unique Places to Stay in Japan || FAQs

Want More From LTL?

WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE? Check out our online Japanese courses here.

We offer a 7-day free trial to all new students where you can study 24/7.

What about studying Japanese in Japan instead? We’ve got your back. Our Japanese courses in Tokyo can either be taken in small groups of no more than 5 students or individually for a more tailored experience.

We even offer incredible homestay experiences in Tokyo as well.

Come and be a part of this amazing community.