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Trip.com Japan Guide: Booking Ryokans, City Hotels & Bullet Train Passes
Japan is a country where ancient traditions and futuristic technology live side by side. You can sleep on tatami mats in a centuries-old ryokan, soak in a natural onsen hot spring, spend a night in a sleek capsule hotel, and wake up in a skyscraper hotel overlooking Tokyo's neon skyline. Then you can zip across the country at 300 km/h on the legendary Shinkansen bullet train.
Japan's tourism boom has made planning more important than ever. Hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka fill quickly during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, and popular ryokans book out months ahead. Trip.com Japan helps you compare hotels, ryokans and capsule stays, book Shinkansen tickets and flights, and save with member deals and Trip Coins, all in one app. In this Trip.com Japan guide, you'll learn about Japanese accommodation types, how to book bullet trains and hotel bundles, which partner tools to use, and a step-by-step booking guide.
Book ryokans, hotels and trains in Japan on Trip.com
Japanese Accommodation Types
Ryokans with onsen
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, and staying in one is a highlight of any trip.
- Tatami rooms with sliding paper doors and futon bedding.
- Yukata (cotton robes) to wear around the inn.
- Onsen (hot spring baths), indoor or outdoor, sometimes private.
- Kaiseki dinners: Multi-course seasonal meals, often served in your room.
- Japanese breakfast with rice, fish, miso soup and pickles.
Best ryokan destinations
- Hakone: Hot springs with views of Mount Fuji, about 1.5 hours from Tokyo.
- Kyoto: Elegant ryokans near temples and gardens.
- Kinosaki Onsen: A charming hot spring town with seven public baths.
- Takayama and Shirakawa-go: Mountain villages with traditional inns.
- Kawaguchiko: Ryokans with Mount Fuji views.
Tip: Many onsen have etiquette rules: wash before entering, no swimsuits, and some don't allow visible tattoos. Look for private onsen (kashikiri) if needed.
Capsule hotels
Capsule hotels offer compact sleeping pods with a mattress, light and power outlets, plus shared bathrooms and lounges. Modern capsule hotels are stylish, clean and very affordable, perfect for solo travellers on a budget. Many are men-only or have separate floors for women.
Modern high-rises — Tokyo
- Shinjuku: Transport hub with skyscraper hotels, nightlife and shopping.
- Shibuya: Trendy area near the famous crossing.
- Ginza and Tokyo Station: Upscale and convenient for the Shinkansen.
- Asakusa: Traditional atmosphere near Senso-ji Temple, with good-value hotels.
- Roppongi: Nightlife, art museums and luxury hotels.
Modern high-rises — Kyoto
- Kyoto Station area: Convenient for trains and day trips.
- Gion and Higashiyama: Historic streets, geisha district and temples.
- Downtown (Kawaramachi): Restaurants, shopping and Nishiki Market.
Modern high-rises — Osaka
- Namba and Dotonbori: Neon lights, street food and nightlife.
- Umeda: Business district with major stations.
Other options
Business hotels (compact, affordable rooms, often with breakfast), minshuku (family-run guesthouses), machiya (traditional townhouses for rent in Kyoto) and temple stays (shukubo) at Mount Koya.
Booking Shinkansen Bullet Train Tickets & Hotel Bundles on Trip.com
Shinkansen tickets on Trip.com
Trip.com sells Japan rail tickets, including Shinkansen routes like Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, so you can book trains alongside your hotels in English with an international card.
| Route | Typical Shinkansen journey time |
|---|---|
| Tokyo – Kyoto | About 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Tokyo – Shin-Osaka | About 2.5 hours |
| Shin-Osaka – Hiroshima | About 1.5 hours |
| Tokyo – Kanazawa | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Shin-Osaka – Hakata (Fukuoka) | About 2.5 hours |
Japan Rail Pass or individual tickets?
The Japan Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on most JR trains, including most Shinkansen. After its 2023 price increase (a 7-day ordinary pass costs about ¥50,000), it's no longer automatically the best deal. For a simple Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka round trip, individual tickets are often cheaper. The pass makes sense for longer itineraries covering distant regions. Regional passes, such as the JR West Kansai Pass or JR East Pass, can also offer good value.
Tips
- Reserved seats: Book reserved seats during busy periods like Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year.
- Mount Fuji views: On the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right side (seat E) for Fuji views on clear days.
- Luggage: Oversized luggage on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen requires a reservation for designated seats.
Hotel and Flight bundles
Trip.com offers Flight + Hotel packages to Tokyo and Osaka, which can be cheaper than booking separately.
Budget and Practical Tips
Sample hotel budgets (per room, per night)
| Type | Price range |
|---|---|
| Capsule hotel | ¥4,000–8,000 |
| Business hotel | ¥9,000–18,000 |
| Mid-range city hotel | ¥18,000–35,000 |
| Ryokan with dinner and breakfast | ¥25,000–80,000+ per person |
| Luxury hotel | ¥60,000+ |
Prices are indicative and rise sharply in peak seasons.
Money-saving tips
- Avoid peak seasons: Cherry blossom (late March–early April), Golden Week, Obon and autumn foliage (November in Kyoto) are the most expensive.
- Stay near stations: Saves time and transport costs.
- Mix accommodation types: Combine business hotels in cities with one special ryokan night.
- Check accommodation taxes: Tokyo, Osaka and other cities charge lodging taxes. Kyoto raised its lodging tax from March 2026, ranging from ¥200 to ¥10,000 per person per night depending on the room price.
- Use free cancellation: Book early and re-check prices.
- Use Trip Coins and coupons: 100 Trip Coins = US$1 in value.
- Eat at convenience stores and set-meal restaurants: Japan's konbini and teishoku restaurants are cheap and delicious.
Getting around cities
Use an IC card like Suica or PASMO (including mobile versions) for trains, subways, buses and convenience stores.
Aviasales, Tiqets and GetYourGuide
Aviasales for flights to Japan
Aviasales compares flights to Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka (Kansai), Fukuoka and Sapporo. Consider open-jaw tickets, flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka, to save time.
Tiqets for attractions
Tiqets offers mobile tickets for teamLab digital art museums, the Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky, Universal Studios Japan and more. Book popular attractions in advance.
GetYourGuide for tours
GetYourGuide offers Mount Fuji day trips, Kyoto temple tours, tea ceremonies, sushi-making classes, Nara deer park tours and food tours in Osaka.
Getting from the airport
- Narita (NRT): The Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner reach central Tokyo in about 40–60 minutes.
- Haneda (HND): Closer to the city, with monorail and Keikyu train connections.
- Kansai (KIX): The Haruka express connects with Kyoto and Osaka.
Step-by-Step Booking Guide
- Search: Go to Trip.com Japan or open the app. Enter your destination, dates and guests.
- Filter: Filter by property type (ryokan, capsule hotel, hotel), price, guest rating, free cancellation, onsen, meals included and distance to station.
- Check details: For ryokans, check meal inclusions, onsen type and tattoo policy. For capsule hotels, check gender policies and luggage storage.
- Read reviews: Look for comments on room size, cleanliness and access.
- Book trains: Go to Trains, enter your Shinkansen route and date, and choose your seat.
- Apply discounts: Use member prices, coupons and Trip Coins.
- Pay and confirm: Pay with an international card and keep all bookings in the app.
- Check in: Present your passport at check-in; Japanese hotels are required to record foreign guests' passport details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ryokan?
A traditional Japanese inn with tatami rooms, futon beds, onsen baths and often kaiseki dinners and Japanese breakfast.
Can I book Shinkansen tickets on Trip.com?
Yes. Trip.com sells Japan rail tickets, including Shinkansen routes such as Tokyo to Shin-Osaka.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
It depends on your itinerary. After the 2023 price increase, individual tickets are often cheaper for Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trips, while the pass suits longer journeys.
Are capsule hotels comfortable?
Modern capsule hotels are clean and comfortable for solo travellers on a budget, though space is limited and bathrooms are shared.
Is there a hotel tax in Kyoto?
Yes. Since March 2026, Kyoto's lodging tax ranges from ¥200 to ¥10,000 per person per night, depending on the room price.
From onsen ryokans in Hakone and capsule pods in Tokyo to high-rise hotels in Osaka, Japan offers stays as unique as the country itself. Ready for Japan? Book ryokans, city hotels and bullet trains on Trip.com Japan and start planning today.
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