So I've left booking to the last moment and have to book accommodation in Japan for October.
Wondering where the best place to book it is? I'm assuming booking.com is going to put a premium. Is there a particular website I should use and should I use a VPN from somewhere else etc.
Looking for a place in Tokyo/Osaka/Lake Kawaguchiko
Thanks
Just had a look and theres lots of places still available?
Bet they're not OzB prices
I guess beggers cant be choosers. I can't remember what I paid last time, but looks like APA is ~150 a night in tokyo for 2 people up to whatever you want to spend.
Booking 3 months out or 1 week out makes no deal difference to hotel prices, limiting AirBNB options maybe. It given the changes business hotels are better value still.
Just look for business hotels in areas near where you want to stay and book away.
booking.com/Expedia/Wotif/airbnb etc where else? The closer you get, you surely gonna get some premium prices for sure.
I do not use any of those sites. I booked direct with the hotel. Always better rates than any of those sites. No vpn required.
It doesnt matter where you book, every site is going to have a premium given it is this close. Just book whatever that is in your budget.
Great logic, if you can't get the best deal, just give up and empty your bank account.
What’s your budget per night?
Not much info or help from OP. All very different areas, how long are you in Japan for, how many days did you want at each, or did you just want one area?
Book direct with the hotel. Use the aggregation sites to narrow down the search and then go to the hotel - 95% of the time you will get the same price.
Tokyo and Osaka have so many options, from hostels to minshuku to business hotels to 5star chains, capsules even love hotels for the night. What are you after?
Dormy Inn, Tokyu Stay, APA Hotels, Toyoko Inn, Hotel Sunroute, and Super Hotel are all business/basic but clean hotel chains, to start you off
Mt Fuji is a lot more limited range but still some different choices available.
People always say that it's cheaper to book directly through the hotel, but I rarely find this to be the case. On occasion I call and ask for the same price or better and have even have them say no. I wouldn't do this in Japan as I don't speak Japanese. The best deals I've had is when it's conference accommodation and the price has been negotiated with the conference organiser. Expedia sometimes has some good deals, or hotels.com give the 10th night free if you travel regularly, which has worked out well for me.
I’ve always found it the same price or cheaper if the hotel has a mailing list you can sign up to (eg TFE). Found this across Asia and W Europe and the US. There may be longer benefits in going through booking.com if it’s the same price as you get discounts for multiple stays. Sometimes it looks cheaper with cash back etc but sometimes the price is increased by the same amount
I’ve found aggregator sites are only cheaper if you want a room at the last minute
I'm not sure what to say…
When I went to Japan I would usually book 1 or 2 days in advance via booking.com. Was pretty straight-forward and often found places at about $100 or less per night. It might have changed in the last 3 or so years but otherwise was super easy to do.
I wouldn't have even started to worry about it yet given how far away it is.
Where in Tokyo do you want to be?
Anywhere near the major train stations is likely to be expensive. Look at locations that are along the train line, but a few stops out — you'll find more reasonable prices and be only a short train trip away. If you don't care what your hotel looks like, also have a look around for business hotels. They tend to be fairly plain, but if you're just wanting a conveniently located bed, then they're a good option (although many will only be in Japanese on their website).
Booking.com seem to have 6-12% cashback every few weeks. I booked most of my accom this way, with free cancellation, for most of my Japan trip this year.
It's all booked out! What were you thinking trying to book accommodation 3 months out?