Japan on my mind

I made most of my hotel reservations online, with some trepidation, because i was unsure about locations and because a number of them required payment in advance. I think if I had been able to work with Japanese websites advance payment might not have been required. First let me say everything worked out beautifully; there were no nasty surprises. All of the hotels were decent, locations were OK and everything promised was delivered. I’m not sure you could do that in any other country.

My first hotel in Tokyo was Ginza Capital Main. I made the reservation with Agoda and paid in advance with a credit card. The hotel was located near the Tsukuji Market, and more important, near two different subway stations. The room came with breakfast, either Japanese or western. I chose the Japanese and was quite satisfied. It was more breakfast than I normally eat, but it carried me through most of the day with only a snack for lunch. I never got a picture of the hotel, but here are some views from my window.

After four nights in Tokyo I went to Nagoya and stayed at the Comfort Hotel, and, although part of the Comfort Inn chain, I had to make the reservation through Rakuten Travel using a debit card. Their website would not accept a credit card. The hotel was conveniently located near the train station and was adequate. Breakfast was similar to what would be found in a comparable hotel or motel here in the States.

My stay at Murasaki no ryo, in Kyoto, was arranged by Steve’s former student and was a gift to me.

The Palace Side Hotel, in Kyoto, was recommended to me by my Japanese art history professor. It was a great choice, one of my best hotel experiences ever. After five nights in Japanese business hotels and two nights in the Japanese Guest House, I felt very strange being in a place where people would actually communicate with me, both the staff and most other guests being English speakers. I rather enjoyed the isolation imposed by the language barrier. After all, I hadn’t come to Japan to be with other western people.

Slowly I began to appreciate the hotel; it has turned out to be a wonderful place, very special. The staff, all of whom speak English, are unfailingly helpful. Occasional concerts in the lobby, a communal kitchen, a meeting room with a weekly scheduled party, all foster a sense of community. Many people stay for long periods; you see them night after night. Most of the guests are actually Europeans, we Americans don’t seem to be coming to Japan this year. I’ve met some interesting people. The Israeli couple who helped me at Shugakuin were staying here; I ran into them again the next day. They have a small kitchen in their room, send dishes and some food from Israel and are able to keep kosher here. They were referred by friends who live in Kyoto.

My Italian friend with the great passion for Japanese gardening was referred by his course managers. I ran into a musician carrying a huge instrument, a bass or cello. He was European; had come to perform. His manager put him in the hotel and arranged an extended bed for him; he was very tall. Everyone seems to have come from some kind of referral, almost like a private club.

My hotel in Osaka, the Namba Plaza, was also arranged through Rakuten Travel. It was probably my least successful choice of location, but, again, the hotel was adequate.

I was able to make the reservation for the Comfort Hotel in Hiroshima through the Comfort Inn website and did not have to guarantee it. I had the staff at the Hiroshima hotel make a reservation for me at the Comfort Hotel in Tokyo for my last four nights. I had not done this ahead of time because I wasn’t sure of how many nights I wanted to spend in Tokyo.

Shalmit made the last reservation for us: the Tokyu Inn in Matsue. It was a very easy walk from the train station, probably the best thing about it. Considering that Matsue is not a great tourist destination and is way off the beaten track, they could have made the rooms larger or the price lower.