Kyoto
Five Nights North of Kyoto: Worth Leaving the Centre?
For two nights, stay central. For five, the north wins. What five late-November nights at Takaragaike bought us — including a light-up with no ticket.
Hotels
Hand-picked hotel guides, organized by station, sight and neighborhood.
Kyoto
Kyoto Hotels with Onsen & Big Public Baths
Kyoto hotels with onsen: 5 picks sorted by bath type (natural hot spring vs. daiyokujo), with prices and tattoo policy checked August 2026.
Japan
How Small Is My Room? Hotel Room Sizes in Japan Explained
Hotel room sizes in Japan explained with real m2 and bed-width figures from five named properties, checked August 2026 - not adjectives.
Japan
Mitsui Garden vs Daiwa Roynet Kyoto: Which Shijo Chain to Book
Mitsui Garden vs Daiwa Roynet Kyoto: free public bath vs a 1-min subway walk. Compare prices, room sizes and breakfast for Shijo's mid-range chains.
Japan
Tokyu Excel vs Tokyu REI Hotels vs Tokyu Stay: The Three Brands Explained
Tokyu Excel vs Tokyu REI hotels vs Tokyu Stay: room size, breakfast and loyalty compared, plus 5 real hotels with checked walk times.
Japan
Dormy Inn vs Business Hotels Japan: APA, Toyoko Inn and the Public Bath Premium
Dormy Inn vs business hotels Japan travelers know (APA, Toyoko Inn, Super Hotel): what the bath premium buys, real prices, and when to skip it.
Japan
Holiday Inn vs ANA Crowne Plaza Japan: IHG's Two Brands Compared
Holiday Inn vs ANA Crowne Plaza Japan: real room sizes, breakfast rules and rates from ¥4,700, checked at hotels we stayed in Sapporo and Okayama.
Otaru
Authent Hotel Otaru Review After 7 Winter Seasons
Authent Hotel Otaru review after about 100 self-funded nights across 7 winter seasons: rooms, dining, bath, access and who should book.
Okayama
Hotels Near Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle: Where to Stay
Stay near Korakuen garden and Okayama Castle: best hotels by tram stop, walk time, and price. Includes the combined ticket tip and Kurashiki day-trip logistics.
Okayama
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter Ryokan Hotels: Stay in the Old Town
Ryokan and hotels inside Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter: canal-side inns, Ivy Square, and where to stay to wake up before the crowds arrive.
Okayama
Hotels Near Okayama Station: Best Picks by Exit
Hotels near Okayama Station ranked by exit: East Exit picks steps from the shinkansen, West Exit options, and walk times for each property.
Miyazaki
Takachiho Hotels With Parking: A Rental Car Road Trip Guide
Takachiho hotels with parking for rental car travelers — free lots, gorge access, kagura evenings & Kyushu road trip routing from Kumamoto and Miyazaki.