Where to stay in Japan?

In Kuramae, in Taito ward, on the east side of the city. You sleep near Asakusa and Senso-ji, in a neighbourhood of workshops, and cross Tokyo by metro.

The hostel occupies a former toy warehouse in Kuramae; the ground-floor café-bar is open to everyone.

A budget hostel for the Tokyo stop: you sleep simply and keep the rest for sightseeing. The metro connects Senso-ji in Asakusa, the Shibuya crossing and Meiji Shrine.

In Yurakucho, in Chiyoda, facing Hibiya Park. You are between Ginza and the Imperial Palace, on foot from Tokyo station and the metro lines to Asakusa.

Opened in 2007 opposite Hibiya Park, a stone's throw from the Imperial Palace gardens.

Uchibori Street, in Marunouchi, in Chiyoda, along the imperial moats. You step out onto the Palace gardens, and Tokyo station is a few minutes' walk away.

Rebuilt in 2012 on the moats of the Imperial Palace, whose East Gardens are free to visit.

In Yumoto-chaya, 900 m from Hakone-Yumoto station. A ryokan-style hostel by the river, for a first onsen soak on a small budget before the Lake Ashi loop.

In Gora, on the road to Sengokuhara, 5.8 km from Hakone-Yumoto. A hostel with an onsen at the end of the little mountain railway, for those setting off early to the ropeway and the lake.

On National Route 1, in Miyanoshita, 4.8 km from Hakone-Yumoto, on the mountain railway line. You sleep in the resort's history, halfway between the station and Gora.

Opened in 1878, one of Japan's first Western-style hotels; Chaplin and John Lennon stayed here.

In Kiga, on the Kowakudani road, in the heights of Hakone on the Gora side. A base at altitude for heading to Lake Ashi and its torii, and looking out for Mount Fuji on clear mornings.

Hachijo-dori, south of Kyoto station, in Shimogyo, 3.2 km from the centre. A design hostel within walking distance of the station: trains to Fushimi Inari, Nara and Arashiyama without changing neighbourhood.

Kawaramachi-dori, in Shimogyo. You sleep in the centre, on foot from Gion and the Kamo River, with buses to Kinkaku-ji and the train to Fushimi Inari.

In Higashiikesucho, in Nakagyo, 300 m from the centre, on the Kamo River. You sleep by the water, on foot from Gion and the restaurant district, with the metro for everything else.

In Higashiyama, 2.4 km from the centre, on the hill of temples. You sleep on the Higashiyama hillside, in the gardens, within walking distance of Gion and its lanes.

The hotel's garden is laid out around the 800-year-old Shakusui-en pond.

In Masuyacho, in Higashiyama, 1.8 km from the centre, on the Ninenzaka slope. You sleep in the Kyoto of cobbled lanes, between Kodai-ji, the Yasaka pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera.

Built on the Ninenzaka slope, with the kaiseki restaurant Kyoyamato, in business since 1877.

On Naramachi-odori, in Ajimanji-cho. A guesthouse in the old streets of Naramachi, on foot from the deer park and the Great Buddha.

On Naramachi-odori, in Ajimanji-cho, in the old merchant quarter of Naramachi. Budget guest rooms within walking distance of the deer park, the Great Buddha and Kasuga Shrine.

In Shimosanjo-cho, on a small street close to Sanjo-dori, the main road from the station to the park. A hostel for arriving by train and walking to the deer park, then the Great Buddha.

On Omiya-dori, in Omiyacho. A large hotel on the avenue leading to the park, handy for families making trips to Kyoto and Osaka by train.

Omiya-dori, Nara's main avenue, in Omiya-cho, on the modern town side. A functional chain hotel for those arriving late, from where you reach the deer park and the Great Buddha by public transport.

By the Yoshikigawa river, on Sanjo-dori, in Ikenocho. A hotel for those who want to get up before the groups and walk early to the deer park, the Great Buddha and Kasuga Shrine.

A budget hostel for the Osaka stop, for sleeping simply without stretching the trip's budget. You take the metro to the neon lights of Dotonbori in the evening, Kuromon market and the castle park in the morning.

In Osaka Garden City, in Kita, on the Umeda side. You stay in the district of stations and department stores, with a direct metro to Dotonbori and the castle.

A design hotel from the W brand. For those who come to Osaka for the nightlife and style as much as for the castle and the neon of Dotonbori.

Opened in 2021; the black façade is by Tadao Ando, Osaka's most famous architect.