Autumn-leaf season is Japan's second-busiest time of year, and room rates can double or triple. Even so, with 1.5 million VND a night for two (about 750,000 VND per person), you can still get a private room with its own bathroom if you choose well.
- Typical prices for two per night: guesthouse with shared bathroom 800,000–1.2 million VND; business hotel 1.3–1.6 million; central 3–4-star hotel or last-minute business hotel 2.5–5 million; 5-star hotel or ryokan with onsen 5–30 million, some up to 80 million.
- Book a Semi-Double room (a 1.2–1.4 m bed for two): only slightly more than a single but 30–40% cheaper than a standard Double or Twin.
- Stay at smaller stations on lines that run straight into the centre. Tokyo: JR Yamanote stations such as Otsuka, Sugamo or Tabata, or Metro Hibiya stations such as Minami-Senju or Iriya, can be up to half the price and 10–15 minutes from the centre. Kansai: stay in Shin-Osaka or Tennoji instead of Kyoto; the JR Rapid train reaches Kyoto in about 30 minutes.
- Besides APA and Toyoko Inn, look at Japanese business hotel chains such as Sotetsu Fresa Inn, Smile Hotel, Vessel Inn and Keikyu Ex Inn. Sign up as a member on the Toyoko Inn or Super Hotel websites: rooms may still be available when Agoda or Booking show sold out.
- For your visa application: book early with free cancellation to lock in a good rate and get a booking confirmation for the consulate.