Go Tokyo Your Experience
Recently, with the recovery of the tourism industry and rising prices, accommodation costs in Japan have been steadily increasing, especially in popular cities such as Tokyo, and even capsule hotels are no longer cheap.
Many tourists, including Japanese natives, are faced with the problem of being unable to bear the high cost of accommodation.
In order to cope with this situation, some Japanese people have begun to choose a cheap alternative – sannuan (sauna), which not only allows bathing but also overnight stays, becoming a refuge for many people who cannot afford to stay in hotels.
Three Warmth: Solving Accommodation Needs at Low Prices
In recent reports, it has been mentioned that accommodation prices in Tokyo continue to rise, forcing some travelers to settle for second best options due to limited budgets.
Taking San Nuan as an example, these places not only provide bathing and sauna services, but also set up simple rest areas at relatively affordable prices. Many triple warmers allow guests to stay overnight and even offer up to 12 hours of use, with prices around 3000 yen.
For some budget conscious travelers, this option can solve their accommodation problems and also provide a hot shower, which is very cost-effective.
Among the three warm areas, places like sofa areas or floor rest areas are particularly popular. Due to reasonable accommodation prices, many people would rather spend the night in such an environment, even if the sofa is fully occupied. Many people are willing to use floor mats just to save on accommodation costs.
Taking Shinjuku’s “Shinjuku Soup SOLA SPA” as an example, such places have become temporary shelters for many “nowhere to stay” travelers.
Tokyo accommodation prices soar
One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is inflation and the surge in demand brought about by the recovery of the tourism industry. The accommodation fees in Tokyo hotels have sharply increased after the pandemic, with an average accommodation fee of over 16000 yen, which is 1.5 times higher than before the pandemic in 2019.
This has forced some Japanese business travelers or tourists to seek more economical accommodation options.
Various response measures
Faced with the soaring cost of accommodation, many Japanese people have their own ways of coping. Some office workers from other places who come to Tokyo for business trips, such as bosses from Fukushima Prefecture, rent an office directly in Tokyo to avoid the high costs of staying in hotels for a long time. They work during the day and sleep in the office at night, saving on accommodation expenses.
In addition, some people choose to stay overnight in places around Tokyo, such as hotels in Saitama Prefecture, which are relatively cheap with prices ranging from 7000 to 8000 yen, much cheaper than hotels in central Tokyo.
Internet cafes are also a choice for young people
In addition to providing warmth, internet cafes are also an option for some young people to save on accommodation expenses. Although internet cafes offer limited private space, they are relatively affordable and suitable for backpackers or young people with lower budgets.
However, tourists traveling with their families may not be able to choose this option, so for most people, booking cheap accommodation in advance is still the solution.
Future prospects
The representative of the Japan Hotel Association stated in an interview that unless a major event such as the Great Depression occurs, accommodation prices may continue to rise as inflation continues.
Therefore, travelers can only cope with high accommodation costs by frequently searching and booking early.
Overall, the rise in prices has had a profound impact on Japan’s accommodation industry, prompting people to seek various cost-effective accommodation options. Whether it’s San Nuan or hotels far from the city center, they are all choices made to cope with the increasingly high accommodation prices.