Getting a jump on Japan

There’s little doubt that Airbnb.com has become a game-changer in the way we travel and remains the best tool to find a cheap room (that won’t make you feel cheap) just about anywhere in the world. 
As we head into 2017, we take a look at Japan – a favourite destination among Thais – to see how the website can serve room-seekers.
For example, you can stay in an apartment just two stops away from Tokyo’s Shibuya Station for just Bt635 a night while Yukie, who lives in Hokkaido, offers her Hello Kitty-themed room for a mere Bt1,186 per night. 
So if you’re heading to Japan, check out our list for the best rooms under Bt2,500 per night.

TOKYO
Host: Tomo
Description: Cosy Japanese style house (Meguro)
Price: Bt1,595 per night 
Accommodates: Two guests/ whole house
Located just five minutes walk from Naka-Meguro train station, this Japanese style house is a great base from which to explore Tokyo and its immediate surroundings. There are plenty of restaurants in the immediate area and if you happen to be there in the spring, you’ll see plenty of cherry blossoms in full bloom. After booking, host Tomo will send a detailed PDF guideline on the location and how to get the key to the room. Check in is 24 hours. There is no TV but Wi-Fi is always available. The place offers one bedroom, one bathroom, living area and veranda. It is equipped with refrigerator, air-conditioner, bathtub, hair-dryer and washing machine. Amenities like towels, bed sheets, soap, toilet paper and shampoo are also available. Smoking is not allowed though and all electric devices especially the air-conditioner should be turned off before leaving. From 116 guest reviews, Tomo is quick to respond and considered a nice and helpful host while the place is clean, quiet and in a nice neighbourhood. Tomo loves vegan food so vegan and vegetarian guests can ask for his advice on vegan options in Tokyo.

Host: Yoji
Location: Centre of Shibuya
Price: Bt2,374 per night plus cleaning fee and security deposit 
Accommodates: Four guests/ whole apartment
Synonymous with easy access, the apartment is a five- minute walk from Shibuya train station, three minutes walk from the Airport Limousine bus boarding point, and one minute walk to the nearest convenience store, sushi restaurant, ramen shop and fast-food restaurant. Check in time is 3pm and check out is 11am. The apartment has one bedroom, one bathroom and is equipped with unlimited Mobile-Wi-Fi, air conditioner, electric kettle, cooking utensils, coffee machine, TV, refrigerator and microwave. Yoji, the host, provides bed sheets, towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner. Pets, parties, loud noise and drugs are all prohibited. Following the house rule is the key to a smooth stay. Most of Yoji’s guests love the place for its location and are full of praise for Yoji’s quick response to their queries. 

Host: Haru
Description: Two train stops from Shibuya station 
Price: Bt635 per night plus cleaning fee and security deposit
Accommodates: Two guests/ shared room
Those who love to live like the locals and with the locals should check out this place. The room is two minutes walk from the Komabatodaimae train station and two stops away from Shibuya train station. The room has one bedroom and bathroom. Check in time is anytime after 2pm while check out time is 10am. Microwave, hair dryer, towels, bed sheets, soap, shampoo, toilet paper are available. Cooking and smoking are not allowed. Wireless Internet is always available. Convenience stores and supermarkets are nearby with some open 24 hours a day. From 142 reviews, Haru, the host, is friendly, extremely helpful, listens to good music and speaks good English. While clean, it is small (exactly as shown in the photo though) but good value as a base to explore Tokyo.

OSAKA
Host: Noriyuki
Description: Few minutes from Shinsaibashi Station
Price: Bt1,818 per night plus cleaning fee
Accommodates: Two guests/ whole apartment
Located just a few minutes walk from Shinsaibashi Station, Noriyuki’s Shinsaibashi 504 is within walking distance of Dotonbori, home to the Glico Man and the Kani Doraku Crab, as well as Namba entertainment district and shopping arcades. The apartment consists of one bedroom, one bathroom, and amenities like towels, bed sheets, soap, shampoo and toilet paper. It also provides TV, air conditioner, wireless Internet, cooking utensils and cutlery. Pocket Wi-Fi is available for a fee (500Yen per day). Noriyuki’s guests admire the location, the cosy clean room and Noriyuki’s advice and help. Some complain it’s a little noisy but that’s to be expected for somewhere so close to many attractions, as well as the shopping and entertainment area.

Host: Shinji
Description: Relaxation in Osaka (Umeda)
Price: Bt1,556 per night plus cleaning fee and security deposit
Accommodates: Four guests/ whole apartment
Slap in the centre of Osaka Umeda area, this apartment is a 10-minute walk from Osaka (Umeda) Station. The room offers one double bed, two floor mattresses, bathroom and kitchen. TV, air conditioner, hair dryer, refrigerator, washing machine and wireless Internet. Amenities like towels, shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, hairbrush, shower cap, cotton and cotton swabs, razor and slippers are also listed in the offer. As the room is in a serene neighbourhood, host Shinji advises his guests to keep their voices down and respect the neighbours. Most of his guests love the clean and well-equipped room and appreciate Shinji’s kindness and quick response. 

Host: Sato
Description: Reserved, independent house
Price: Bt965 per night plus security deposit
Accommodates: Four guests/ entire house
Enjoy a home away from home in a two-storey house in Kobe. The house is a 10 to 15-minutes walk to Sanomiya station and the area has lots of places to eat and shop. It is also an easy walk to the main shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife that Kobe has to offer. Sato gives detailed instructions about the “do’s and don’ts” so read carefully before making a decision. The house is equipped with pocket Wi-Fi, air conditioner, refrigerator, microwave and electric kettle. Soap, shampoo, towels and hair dryer are also available. From 120 guests’ reviews, Sato’s place is clean and fully equipped, the location is great and it’s easy to make a day trip to nearby cities like Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka while Sato is helpful and quick to respond. 

HOKKAIDO
Host: Yukie
Description: Free Wi-Fi. One minute from Sapporo station.
Price: Bt1,186 per night plus cleaning fee
Accommodates: Four guests/ whole apartment
Hop back into your childhood dream and stay in a Hello Kitty Room in Sapporo. The room is just one minute from Motomachi subway station while Sapporo Station, a major rail hub, is four stations away. Restaurants, bars, grocery stores and a shopping mall are all within 10-minutes walk. Check in is anytime after 1pm and check out no later than 10 am. The room offers cooking area, TV, heater, wireless Internet, toiletries, towels, and bed sheets. Ukie’s guests love the spacious room and its great location and most agree that Ukie is a nice host, kind, flexible and quick to respond. 

Host: Akina
Description: One minute from Sapporo station
Price: Bt1,706 per night plus cleaning fee and security deposit
Accommodates: Three guests/ whole apartment
The apartment is one-minute walk from Kikusui Station, and only two stops from Odori Station, Sapporo city centre. It’s close to Sapporo’s main entertainment area and Odori Park and has plenty of restaurants with reasonable prices. There are no fussy house rules but guests should communicate with the host clearly about the “do’s and don’ts” in Japanese culture. Check in is available anytime after 3pm while check out time is 10am. TV, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, rice cooker, wireless Internet, hair dryer, bed sheets, towels and toiletries are provided. Guests report that Akina, is friendly, flexible and very helpful and the room is clean and in a prime location. 

Host: Kumiko & Miri
Description: Three-minute walk from station. Free Wi-Fi.
Price: Bt1,595 per night plus cleaning fee and security deposit
Accommodates: Four guests/ whole apartment
Less than five minutes’ walk to Nakajima Koen subway station, this apartment is within walking distance to Nakajima Koen and Susukino, the large amusement district in central Sapporo which is home to cafes, restaurants, sushi bars, a ramen alley and the red light district. The apartment offers Wi-Fi, a washing machine and kitchen utensils. Towels, toiletries and hair dryer are also available. Kumiko and Miri’s guests love the location though as it is located opposite a fire station, it can be a little noisy. Guests appreciate the tidy room and detailed advice and recommendations from Kumiko and Miri about Japanese culture and where to eat out.