Page 56 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

ACCOMMODATIONS

ike shopping options in Japan, we found a great didn’t mind since we were hardly in the room except to sleep.
array of choice when it came to places to stay. We Some of our fellow travelers were uncomfortable. Room
wanted to experience a range of accommodations, descriptions often include the square footage, so there are no
Land we did - all comfortable, exceptionally clean and surprises when you arrive.
well maintained. They all had space-aged toilets with more During our visit, we experienced luxury hotels, business ho-
buttons and controls than most TV remotes. When booking, tels, resort hotels and even an authentic Japanese townhouse
remember that rooms in most Japanese hotels, especially with futons on the floor, rice paper walls, tatami mats in every
“business” hotels in city centers, are small, and sometimes room and a wooden tub. Here are three very different accom-
pods. Our hotel room near Ginza in Tokoyo was tiny, but we modations we enjoyed the most.

K’s Villa Hida-an Takayama

ne of the joys of travel is to get close to local life sleep on the floor as part of the experience.
– how natives live, shop and dine. In Japan, we We found our dream Japanese home in the amazing
wanted to stay in an authentic-style home with a city of Takayama, where it’s possible, it seems, to immerse
Ocourtyard garden and rice-paper screens, along yourself in the Japan of yore. In and around this mountain
with a few traveler comforts like a small kitchen and laundry town, visitors can walk the paths at the Hida Folk Village, an
facilities. We were willing to leave our shoes by the door and open-air museum of nearly 30 thatched and shingled roofed

56 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018