Where to stay in Tokyo (Ueno/Asakusa for budget, Shinjuku/Shibuya for nightlife, Chiyoda for premium), Kyoto and Osaka, plus the 2026 municipal accommodation taxes paid at check-in (Kyoto's new 200–10,000 JPY tiers, Osaka's revised bands, Tokyo's 3% from April 2027) and the legal passport-copy requirement.
- Ueno and Asakusa are the budget base with a direct Skyliner from Narita, at 10,000 to 18,000 JPY a room; Shinjuku and Shibuya are the nightlife hubs at 18,000 to 35,000.
- Chiyoda by Tokyo Station is the calm premium choice for families and Shinkansen transit, at 30,000 to 60,000 JPY.
- Municipal accommodation taxes are paid on site at check-in, in cash or by card, even when the stay was fully prepaid online.
- Kyoto revised its tax on 1 March 2026 into five tiers from 200 JPY a night on a cheap room up to 10,000 JPY on a room over 100,000 JPY.
- Your host must photocopy your passport, and refusing entitles them to cancel the booking immediately without compensation.
Accommodation
Choosing the neighbourhood for the first nights fundamentally affects airport-transfer logistics and your first contact with the city.
Recommended Tokyo neighbourhoods
- Ueno and Asakusa (best for: budget, historic atmosphere, Narita transfers): Ueno has a direct Keisei Skyliner link from Narita (36 minutes). The area offers cheaper business hotels and hostels. Indicative mid-range price: 10,000–18,000 JPY per room/night.
- Shinjuku and Shibuya (best for: nightlife, shopping, transport hubs): buzzing centres with countless restaurants and direct Narita Express (NEX) trains. Shinjuku is the ideal base for trips to Hakone or Fujisawa. Indicative price: 18,000–35,000 JPY per room/night.
- Chiyoda / Tokyo Station (best for: premium travel, families, Shinkansen transit): a calm, extremely clean district with luxury hotels within walking distance of the main station. Indicative price: 30,000–60,000 JPY per room/night.
Recommended Kyoto neighbourhoods
- Shimogyo (around Kyoto Station): the best choice for fast Shinkansen arrival and immediate access to bus and train lines across the city.
- Kawaramachi / Gion: the historic centre, ideal for walking to the main temples and evening strolls. Traditional ryokan stays here often exceed 50,000 JPY per night.
Recommended Osaka neighbourhoods
- Namba / Shinsaibashi (Minami): Osaka's southern centre, famous for its food scene (Dotonbori) and direct trains from Kansai airport (Nankai Rapi:t / Airport Express).
- Umeda (Kita): the northern business centre with modern architecture and excellent JR connections.
Municipal accommodation taxes
Taxes are paid on site at check-in, in cash or by card, even when the stay was fully prepaid online via Booking.com or Agoda.
- Kyoto (full revision from 1 March 2026): a new five-tier tax per person per night based on the net room price:
- Room under 6,000 JPY: tax 200 JPY.
- Room 6,000–19,999 JPY: tax 400 JPY.
- Room 20,000–49,999 JPY: tax 1,000 JPY.
- Room 50,000–99,999 JPY: tax 4,000 JPY.
- Room 100,000 JPY and above: tax 10,000 JPY.
- Osaka (revised from 1 September 2025): the exemption threshold dropped from 7,000 to 5,000 JPY:
- Room under 5,000 JPY: exempt.
- Room 5,000–14,999 JPY: tax 200 JPY.
- Room 15,000–19,999 JPY: tax 400 JPY.
- Room 20,000 JPY and above: tax 500 JPY.
- Tokyo: the current rate is 100 JPY for stays priced 10,000–14,999 JPY and 200 JPY above 15,000 JPY. From 1 April 2027 an approved reform introduces a flat 3% accommodation tax.
Usual check-in practices
The Hotel Business Act obliges hosts to photocopy the passport of every foreign guest without permanent residence in Japan. Refusing to hand over the passport for copying entitles the host to cancel the booking immediately without compensation. The standard check-in time (usually 15:00) is strictly observed; free early check-in is granted only exceptionally.
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