For a unique and unforgettable lodging experience in Japan, why not book a night or two at one of the weird and quirky accommodation options below?

Hotel Zebra

Housed in a building covered with zebra prints and neon lights and decorations, Hotel Zebra is a love hotel situated in the heart of Ikebukuro in Tokyo. It offers rooms with rainbow-lit bath tubs, karaoke machines, and other entertainments, at a rate of around 5,000 yen to 12,000 yen. It also has massage chairs, board games, and other equipment available for rent to ensure that couples checking in will have a comfortable and memorable stay.

To get there, take the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Ikebukuro Station. The hotel is just three minutes away on foot.

For reservations and other inquiries, visit Hotel Zebra’s official website.

Book and Bed

If you like to read before going to bed, Book and Bed offers you opportunities to do just that even if you are many miles away from home. It is a hostel made up of 52 standard and compact beds surrounded by shelves and shelves of books. Rates per night start at around 5,000 yen, and guests can avail of free wi-fi, shared bathrooms and toilets, luggage storage, and unlimited access to a wide selection of books.

Located in Tokyo, it is a short walk from Ikebukuro Station, which is along the JR Yamanote Line and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.

More information is available on Book and Bed’s official website.

Ooedo Onsen Monogatari

After a week of sightseeing and touring, walking about 30,000 steps per day, spending at least a night at Ooedo Onsen Monogatari should provide the comfort and relaxation that your body needs to recharge.

An onsen theme park located in Odaiba in Tokyo, it is home to a variety of natural hot spring baths that contain warm and therapeutic natural onsen waters. Moreover, it has numerous stalls where guests can have fun playing different carnival games and activities, shops that sell various kinds of Japanese sweets, snacks, and dishes, and facilities for body massage, foot refloxology, and fish therapy.

Open from 11 am til 9 am the next day, it is equipped with a large tatami room where people can eat or just chill, and a lounge with reclining chairs where guests can rest or sleep. Admission costs about 3,000 yen, and includes yukata for guests to wear while in the park and unlimited access to the baths.

To get there, take the Yurikamome Line to Telecom Center Station, and then walk two minutes to the onsen theme park entrance.

The Ooedo Onsen Monogatari website provides more information on attractions, onsen, rules, and others.

Net Maru

Internet cafes in Japan are often used as budget, last-minute accommodation options. If you missed the last train back to your hotel, you can look for an internet cafe close to the train station and just spend the night there. These days, though, this type of lodging has become a must-try for some travellers that are seeking for odd yet exciting adventures that no other place on earth can offer.

Net Maru is an internet cafe that has private rooms equipped with desks and desktop computers, cushioned floor chairs, and just enough space to stretch out and lie down for a few hours of sleep. For the price of about 2,000 yen, you can get a room to stay for 12 hours. It is equipped with shared toilets, showers, washers and dryers, coin lockers, and other facilities, and has locations in Tokyo and Osaka.

To get to Net Maru in Tokyo, take the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Ikebukuro Station. The internet cafe is about a five-minute walk away. On the other hand, the Net Maru in Osaka is situated in the Dotonbori area, accessible on foot from Namba Station, which is along the Midosuji Line and the Yotsubashi Line.

Check out the Netmaru website to find out more about its facilities, services, rates, and others.

Benesse House

To experience Japan’s natural beauty and contemporary art culture at the same time, book a room at the Hotel Benesse House. Opened in 1992, it occupies a large complex that is composed of a number of facilities that ensure guests are not only comfortable and relaxed but also kept interested during their entire stay.

With a museum containing art pieces done by local and international artists, a park, a beach, a restaurant/cafe, a spa, and a shop, you will not run out of things to do. Depending on the season, the price of a deluxe twin room starts at around 50,000 yen.

Benesse House is located on Naoshima Island, which is accessible by ferry boats from Takamatsu Port in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture or Uno Port in Tamano City, Okayama.

Visit the Benesse House official website for rates, events, reservations, and other information.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Established in 705, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is the oldest hotel in the world. It is said to have welcomed several Japanese historical icons, including Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun and founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1600-1868), and Takeda Shingen, a powerful feudal lord of Kai Province during the Sengoku period or Age of Warring States (1467-1603).

Found at the base of Akaishi Mountains, surrounded by the thriving forests of Yamanashi Prefecture, it offers traditional-style Japanese rooms with views of the river, Mount Fuji, and the valleys and gorge; outdoor public and private baths with natural hot spring waters; and the great-tasting Mountain Kaiseki Banquet, which is a highly-rated dish made with only the freshest beef, vegetables, and other ingredients. Nightly rates start from 30,000 yen.

To get there, take the JR Minobu Line to JR Minobu Station, and then transfer to a bus to Nishiyama Hot Spring-mae.

For reservations and other inquiries, visit the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan website

The post 6 of the Weirdest Hotels in Japan appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

1. Hotel Granvia Osaka

Address: 〒530-0001, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Umeda 3-1-1
Website: http://www.hotelgranviaosaka.jp/

Located right above JR Osaka Station, Hotel Granvia Osaka offers an unrivalled view of commercial district Umeda. Their rooms are simple and elegant, fitted with a fridge, a fully-furnished bathroom, cable TV, and a mini-bar. There is also free Wi-fi in every room.

Admire the view while dining in French/Italian restaurant “Fleuve” or stylish bar “Sandbank”. There are also Japanese and Chinese restaurants to choose from. If nothing catches your fancy, head down to Daimaru Shopping Mall for a whole host of other options.

Hotel Granvia Osaka is conveniently located 5 minutes by train from the bullet train station Shin-Osaka. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is also 10 minutes away, and you can buy tickets at the hotel reception desk. Numerous shopping malls, such as the Hankyu Department Store, are within walking distance.

2. Hotel Osaka Baytower

Address: 〒552-0007, Osaka, Osaka City, Minato Ward, Benten 1-2-1
Website: http://www.osaka-baytower.com/english/

Hotel Osaka Baytower claims to offer the best night view of Osaka to its guests. Each room is furnished with a flat-screen TV, sitting room, fridge, room wear, and complimentary green tea. Laptops are also available for rent.

Conveniently located near both the JR train and subway stations, the hotel itself houses many facilities, including 5 eateries, a souvenir store, and a hair salon. There is also a cake shop selling limited pastries. Head up to the 51st floor for dinner at the “Airship” restaurant and an unparalleled view of the city below.

Most of Osaka’s attractions, such as Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Umeda, Dotonbori, and Namba are located a mere 15 minutes away by train. There is also a direct line to Kansai International Airport from JR Bentencho Station.

3. RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka

Address: 〒530-0005, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Nakanoshima 5-3-68
Website: http://www.rihga.com/osaka

If you’re looking for simple, modern accommodations, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka may be the best pick for you. Furnished with air conditioning, a desk, fridge, electric kettle, and cable TV, there is nothing lacking in this hotel’s rooms.

Inside the premises, you can utilize the fitness center, rooftop pool (with jacuzzi), massage services, and karaoke facilities. For meals, there are Chinese and Japanese restaurants, as well as bars and cafes if you just want to chill.

RIHGA Royal Hotel offers its guests free shuttle bus rides to and from JR Osaka Station. The shuttle bus also runs between the hotel and Herbis Osaka, where you can catch a limousine bus to Kansai International Airport. Popular tourist spots such as Namba and Shinsaibashi are 10 minutes away by train.

4. Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda

Address: 〒530-0001, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Umeda 3-3-55
Website: http://heartonhotel.com/nis.aspx

For a simple, fuss-free stay, opt for the Hearton Hotel located in Nishi Umeda. Its rooms are furnished with an LCD TV, fridge, electric kettle, room wear, slippers, and free Wi-fi.

Restaurant “Garden Café” offers a buffet breakfast and lunch, as well as a-la-carte dinner. For those who are staying for a longer time, a launderette can be found in the hotel’s basement floor.

Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda is located near numerous subway train stations. Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Namba, and Shinsaibashi are 15 minutes away by train, and Osaka Castle 30 minutes.

5. Hotel New Otani Osaka

Address: 〒540-8578, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Shiromi 1-4-1
Website: http://www.hotelnewotaniosaka.jp/

Hotel New Otani Osaka has the advantage of being situated right in front of Osaka Castle. Known for their large guest rooms, each suite comes with a large window that offers a beautiful view of the city, as well as an LCD TV, mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi.

If you don’t feel like venturing out for the day, the hotel has you covered. Opt for spa services such as a soak in the jacuzzi or sauna, or a relaxing massage session, or check out the various shops and restaurants within the premises. We recommend a meal in “Keyaki” restaurant, which offers great views through its windows, then a cocktail at the Sky Lounge to wash it down.

JO-TERRACE OSAKA, a bustling shopping district, is just a 5-minute walk away from the hotel. If you would like to visit Osaka Castle, tickets can be bought at the hotel reception desk. Those who wish to venture further out can make use of the express shuttle buses that run between the hotel and Kyoto.

6. The Westin Osaka

Address: 〒531-0076, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka 1-1-20
Website: http://www.westin-osaka.co.jp.e.iu.hp.transer.com/

Look no further than The Westin Osaka for a quiet refuge right in the heart of the city. With its soft lighting and soundproof walls, it’s hard to spend a sweaty day out sightseeing when you can kick back and watch the world go by through your room’s giant panorama window and take a long soak in your very own granite bathtub.

The hotel is also equipped with a fitness center that offers a sauna, jacuzzi, treadmills, a fitness room, and an indoor pool, for a reasonable charge. After your workout, reward yourself with a meal at Japanese restaurant “Hanano”, which offers a range of traditional dishes from sushi and teppanyaki to tempura.

Located next to the Umeda Sky Building, The Westin Osaka is right in the middle of town, with Osaka Castle and Dotonbori easily accessible by train or taxi. There is also a free shuttle bus service from the hotel to Osaka Station.

7. Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka

Address: 〒556-0017, Osaka, Osaka City, Naniwa Ward, Minatomachi 1-2-3
Website: https://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/grasmere_osaka/

Shopaholics, this hotel is for you! Located next to Namba Station, Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka is a 5-minute walk away from Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, Osaka’s busiest shopping districts.

The rooms are designed in a Western-style, with air-conditioning, a fridge, humidifier, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. DVD players and laptops are available for rent at the front desk, too. Do check out their in-house French restaurant ESCALE, decorated with priceless antiques and windows which offer an amazing night view of Osaka.

The hotel is situated next to the OCAT building, where you can easily catch shuttle buses to both Kansai International and Itami Airports. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is also a 25-minute train ride away.

8. City Plaza Osaka

Address: 〒540-0029, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Hommachi-bashi 2-31
Website: http://www.cityplaza.or.jp/syukuhaku/english.html

City Plaza Osaka is best known for its rooftop spa, which includes an open-air bath and massage chairs that are free to use for hotel guests. Other rental facilities include an indoor heated pool, a stress-relieving sauna, and a fitness room. The comfortable rooms come with a flat-screen TV, electric kettle, room wear, and free Internet.

For meals, check out “Ooe” for Japanese cuisine, or if you’re hungry, visit “Rivage” for a delicious buffet spread. There’s also a tavern called “TATSUMIYA” on the 14th floor for those who enjoy their wine.

The hotel is located 6 minutes away from subway Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station. From there, it is a 10-minute ride to Dotonbori shopping district, and 15 minutes to Osaka Castle.

9. Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Address: 〒542-0076, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Namba 5-1-60
Website: http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/nankai-osaka/

Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a 5-star luxury hotel located right in the heart of Osaka City’s shopping and entertainment district. Featuring an indoor pool, spa, free Wi-Fi in all rooms and 7 restaurants, there is nothing more you can ask for.

Rooms come equipped with air-conditioning, an LCD TV, fridge, and an extra-long bed for maximum comfort. Some suite even come with a Nespresso coffee machine. Restaurant “TAVOLA36” is a must-visit for its panoramic view of the city from the windows, while Chinese restaurant “EMPRESS ROOM” serves up absolutely delicious dimsum and Chinese wine.

Famous shopping malls such as Namba Parks and Takashimaya, as well as Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi shopping districts, are all within walking distance from the hotel. The nearest station is Nankai-Namba Station, with express trains straight to Kansai Internation Airport and bullet train station Shin-Osaka Station.

10. Hotel Universal Port Osaka

Address: 〒554-0031, Osaka, Osaka City, Konohana Ward, Sakurajima 1-1-111
Website: http://www.hoteluniversalport.jp/en/

Located just 4 minutes away from Universal Studios Japan (USJ), this family-friendly hotel is the best bet for those with little ones who just can’t wait to visit the theme park. Each room comes with air-conditioning, a fridge, electric kettle, cable TV, as well as free Wi-Fi.

The hotel’s restaurant, “port dining rico rico”, offers a buffet-style breakfast to get you ready for a day of fun at USJ. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available for long-staying guests.

Hotel Universal Hotel Osaka is a 20-minute train ride away from Shin-Osaka and Umeda Stations. Downtown Namba is a short 25-minute ride away as well.

The post Top 10 Hotels in Osaka appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.