How to Check In to a Japanese Business Hotel

What is a Business Hotel?

Business hotels (ビジネスホテル) are budget hotels designed for solo business travelers. They’re clean, efficient, and cheap (¥5,000-¥10,000/night).

What to expect:

• Small rooms (10-15㎡ for single, 15-20㎡ for double)
• Basic amenities included
• No room service or concierge
• Vending machines and coin laundry on-site
• Usually near train stations

Common chains:

• Toyoko Inn (東横イン): Cheapest, free breakfast, loyalty program
• APA Hotel (アパホテル): Compact rooms, large bath, nationalist owner (controversial)
• Dormy Inn (ドーミーイン): Mid-range, has onsen/public bath, free ramen at night
• Route Inn (ルートイン): Larger rooms, often has public bath
• Super Hotel (スーパーホテル): Self-check-in kiosks, organic breakfast

Check-In Process

Step 1: Arrive at Front Desk

Check-in time is usually 3pm-4pm. You can arrive earlier to store luggage, but your room won’t be ready.

Approach the front desk and say “チェックインお願いします” (check-in onegaishimasu) or just show your reservation on your phone.

Step 2: Provide Documents

Staff will ask for:

Passport (required for foreigners): They’ll photocopy it or scan it. This is Japanese law for all foreign guests.

Credit card (usually required): For incidentals and payment. Some hotels accept cash deposits instead.

Reservation confirmation: Email or booking number. Not always needed if they can find you by name.

Step 3: Fill Out Registration Form

You’ll fill out a form (宿泊カード) with:

• Name
• Address (your home address is fine)
• Phone number
• Number of guests
• Signature

Some hotels have tablets or kiosks for this. Language options usually include English.

Step 4: Receive Room Key

Staff will give you:

• Room key (key card or physical key with large tag)
• Wi-Fi password (often printed on card or posted in room)
• Breakfast ticket (if breakfast is included)

They’ll explain breakfast time (usually 6:30am-9:30am) and location.

Step 5: Go to Your Room

Elevators usually require key card access. Insert or tap your card to call the elevator or access your floor.

Room Layout and Features

Typical Single Room

• Size: 10-15㎡ (about 110-160 sq ft)
• Bed: Single bed (100cm wide) or semi-double (120cm)
• Desk: Small desk with chair, power outlets
• TV: Flat screen, Japanese channels (some have English news)
• Bathroom: Unit bath (toilet, sink, shower/tub in one molded unit)
• Closet: Small hanging space, usually has yukata (robe)

In-Room Amenities

Always provided:

• Yukata (浴衣): Cotton robe for sleeping or wearing to public bath
• Slippers: For room use only, don’t wear outside
• Towels: Bath towel and hand towel
• Hair dryer: Usually in bathroom or desk drawer
• Electric kettle: For tea/coffee
• Green tea bags: Free
• Pajamas: Some hotels provide separate pajamas instead of yukata

Sometimes provided:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor and shaving cream
• Comb/brush
• Body soap, shampoo, conditioner (always in bathroom)

If not in room, check the amenity bar near the front desk or elevators. Take what you need.

Climate Control

Air conditioning/heating is controlled in-room. Panel is usually near the door or bed.

Settings:

• 冷房 (reibou) = Cooling
• 暖房 (danbou) = Heating
• 送風 (soufuu) = Fan only
• 自動 (jidou) = Auto

Some older hotels have centralized systems — you can’t control temperature, only fan speed.

Hotel Facilities

Vending Machines

Every business hotel has vending machines, usually on each floor or in the lobby.

What’s available:

• Soft drinks (¥100-¥150)
• Beer and alcohol (¥200-¥400)
• Cup noodles (¥150-¥250)
• Ice cream (¥100-¥200)

Some hotels have ice machines (製氷機) near vending machines.

Coin Laundry

Most business hotels have coin-operated washers and dryers.

Cost:

• Washer: ¥200-¥300 per load (30-40 minutes)
• Dryer: ¥100 per 30 minutes

Detergent is sold in vending machines (¥50-¥100) or provided free.

Location: Usually on one floor (often 2nd or 3rd floor) or in basement. Check the hotel map in your room.

Public Bath (Some Hotels)

Dormy Inn and Route Inn often have large public baths (大浴場) or onsen.

Hours: Usually 3pm-10am (closed for cleaning 10am-3pm)
Location: Top floor or basement
Rules: Same as regular onsen — wash before entering, no clothes, no towel in water

Breakfast

If included, breakfast is usually buffet-style.

Time: 6:30am-9:30am (last entry 9am)
Location: 1st floor or basement dining room
Food: Mix of Japanese (rice, miso soup, grilled fish, natto) and Western (bread, eggs, sausage, salad)

Toyoko Inn breakfast is free for members. APA Hotel charges ¥1,500-¥2,000 if not included in your rate.

Smoking vs. Non-Smoking

Japan still allows smoking rooms. When booking, check:

• 禁煙 (kin-en) = Non-smoking
• 喫煙 (kitsuen) = Smoking

If you booked non-smoking but get a smoking room, ask to change: “禁煙の部屋に変えてもらえますか？” (kin-en no heya ni kaete moraemasu ka).

Smoking rooms smell like smoke even when cleaned. Non-smoking rooms sometimes smell faintly of smoke due to poor ventilation between floors.

Checkout Process

Checkout time is usually 10am or 11am. Late checkout costs extra (¥1,000-¥2,000 per hour).

Step 1: Gather Your Belongings

Check drawers, bathroom, closet. Hotels are not responsible for items left behind.

Step 2: Return Key

Two methods:

1. Drop box: Some hotels have a key drop box in the lobby. Just drop your key and leave. No need to talk to staff.

2. Front desk: Hand key to staff and say “チェックアウトお願いします” (checkout onegaishimasu). They’ll process payment if not already paid.

No room inspection: Staff won’t check your room before you leave. They trust you didn’t damage anything.

Step 3: Pay (If Not Prepaid)

If you didn’t prepay online, you’ll pay now.

Accepted:

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex)
• Cash
• IC card (Suica/PASMO) at some hotels

Bill includes:

• Room rate
• Consumption tax (10%)
• Any extras (breakfast, drinks from vending machine charged to room, etc.)

Step 4: Store Luggage (Optional)

If your train/flight is later, ask to store luggage after checkout:

“チェックアウト後に荷物を預かってもらえますか？” (checkout-go ni nimotsu wo azukatte moraemasu ka — can you store my luggage after checkout?)

Most hotels allow this for free until evening.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
Room smells like smoke	Got smoking room by mistake	Ask front desk to change rooms
No hot water	Need to wait for tank to heat	Wait 10-15 minutes, or call front desk
Can’t connect to Wi-Fi	Wrong password or network	Check card/paper in room, or ask front desk
Key card doesn’t work	Demagnetized near phone	Return to front desk for new card
Charged for items I didn’t use	Minibar or pay-per-view confusion	Show receipt to front desk, explain

FAQ

Q: Can I check in early?
A: Rooms are usually ready by 3pm. You can store luggage earlier, but early check-in (before 3pm) costs extra (¥1,000-¥2,000).

Q: Do I need to bring my own toiletries?
A: No. Basic toiletries (shampoo, body soap, toothbrush) are provided. Bring your own if you have preferences.

Q: Can two people stay in a single room?
A: No. Single rooms are for one person. Book a double or twin room for two people. Hotels check ID and charge extra for unreported guests.

Q: Is there a curfew?
A: No. You can come and go 24/7. Front desk is staffed 24 hours.

Q: Can I get a receipt for my company?
A: Yes. Ask for 領収書 (ryoushuusho — receipt) at checkout. They can address it to your company name.

Last verified: February 2026