Hi there!

I said I would write a page about the places I stayed. Some other tips follow too, I hope you can find some of this text useful! Please enjoy! I take no responsibility for the prices, the prices are what I paid. I suggest advanced booking!

1. Nagoya Rolen Hotel
As the name somewhat points out, this is in Nagoya. It is about 10 minutes walk from JR Nagoya station. For 4700 you can get a private room with a shower. For 4200 yen you get a room without a bathroom. Lockable shower rooms are located on the second floor. Toilets are in the middle of floors. Price included yukata, two towels (small and a bigger one), shampoo and conditioner. The rooms are moderate in size. Most of the rooms are equipped with LAN, so you can plug your laptop and surf away! Rooms are air-conditioned. Reception closes 2 AM.

Not the cheapest place. It's okay for the price. Quite many attractions nearby. Nagoya is Los Angeles's friend town, there's a Hall of Fame walk about 8 minutes from the Rolen Hotel.

2. Toyoko Inns

I think I stayed in Toyoko Inns couple of times. Prices vary depending on the season. Some of the Toyoko Inns are about 6500 yen or 6000 yen, some go over 7000 yen per night. Nice business-type hotels. Beds are big in size, there's a free breakfast served from 7-9 AM. Rooms are usually LAN-equipped. Toyoko Inns are moderately priced nice hotels which I can recommend if you want some privacy and comfort. I can't remember was the reception 24 H open, but I think it should be!

3. Some ryokan, 8 minutes from JR Nara station

Seriously, more of a minshuku I would say. Price was close to 6000 yen per night. Traditional style Japanese rooms. I took mine with a bathroom. Excellent location for sightseeing, but then again, Nara is easily covered in a day or two. There is a Super Hotel right next to the station, which is cheaper, but at the time I was there they had no room.

They only have a small towel in the ryokan, you can loan a towel for 200 yen. (But why, when you can get one from 100 yen shop for 105 yen ...)

4. Yokohama Hostel Village, Hayashi-Kaikan

One of the nicest places I visited when you think about the staff. Staff is helpful, the lounge is great place to meet new people. Yokohama Hostel Village is a pack of hostels, I stayed mostly in Hayashi-Kaikan. Some people complain that the rooms are small in size, but for me it was enough. Couples might find the space a bit too small though! 2700 yen per night if you buy 7 or more nights at the first time. Otherwise it's 3000 yen per night. You can't get the discount if you stay for example 4 nights and decide to stay for 5 more nights.

Location is pretty good! Chinatown is about 10-15 minutes walk from the YHV reception. The bay are isn't too far either from the China Town. I highly recommend the bay area! Overall, mostly because of the people, this was one of the best places I stayed at! Hayashi-Kaikan had excellent air-condition too!

5. Kikuei Hotel (Osaka)

This is a business hotel. I think their nights run about 5500-6500 yen. Located ideally in Den Den Town. Just next door there's a record shop which had absolutely crazy bargains. Just don't make international calls like I did! Those are expensive ... Fantastic location and even though it's the Electric Town the hotel room was silent. Kikuei doesn't spot out from the street though, so there's a possibility to pass it by without noticing.

6. Shin-Imamiya in Osaka, Chuo New Annex

Shin-Imamiya is the spot for the traveller with a light wallet. Nights run from 1000-3000 yen. Chuo Nex Annex charged 2300 yen for a night when I was staying there. Room are nice in size, I even had a decent view. The rooms are equipped with a nice big TV and air conditioning. Just two shower rooms though, one for the guys and for the girls. There is a Japanese-style bath in the premises.

For the price and location this is one of the best places to hang while you're in Osaka. That is you are able to sleep deeply, because the Chuo New Annex is just next to the train station. Free internet is also available.

7. Hotel New Koyo, Tokyo

Budget hotel to be precise. New Koyo charges 2500 yen for small Japanese or Western style rooms. It is said to be the cheapest place to stay in Tokyo. A nice place to meet travellers. Two showers available from 6 AM to 10 PM. Japanese style bath available. The Japanese style bath's showers can be used after 10 PM, as you can lock the door from inside.

A good place to hang out a day or two, maybe not a week? They don't change the sheets as often as in other places though. Air-conditioning is also a bit of BS, because there is no control for the air-condition in your room. It can get pretty hot in the Summer, so not recommended for the people who can't sleep too well in the heat. JR station is about 5 minutes away. Bikes are available for rent. Phone cards are also sold. The staff speaks good English. As the trains are efficient, this is a good place to stay at.

8. Internet cafés!

Or manga-kissas and the like. Nightly rates are cheaper than the day-rates. The chair are usually uncomfortable and the "matress" isn't too comfortable either. Not to mention smoking people and snoring people. Anyhow, these are places to get in for the night. A night might cost about 2000 - 3000 yen. Free drinks are included in the price. Most of the cafés have showers too.

Highly recommended when it's raining, you don't a place to go or you're just plain lost. Ask for a private booth. Be careful with your belongings too!

9. Love hotels

Not that I stayed in any, but the night rates are usually decent if you need to get in from the rain. Some knowledge of Japanese might be quite helpful. 

10. Some other things

Japan is a cash-country. Credit cards aren't widely accepted. For your comfort, carry a pen and paper with you all the time. That way you can write or draw your questions. It's good to ask for the hotel's business card too, in case you get lost. Most of the hotels have free tourist maps available. 

What else? Japan has a lot to offer. There are many interesting things to see and I truly recommend walking around and seeing just the "regular" Japan. Saying "arigatou" a lot helps most of the time.

If you have anything to ask, don't hesitate to send me some e-mail at ippei.human@gmail.com