Translation guide
The English word "lodging" refers to a place to stay temporarily, such as a hotel, inn, or rented room. In Japanese, the most common and versatile term is 宿 (yado), but the appropriate word depends on the type of accommodation, formality, and context. This guide covers practical ways to express "lodging" in Japanese, from booking a hotel to finding a place to stay.
Where is your lodging?
The speaker wants to refer to lodging in a broad sense, such as when asking about accommodations or describing where they stayed.
A general, slightly literary term for lodging or an inn. It can refer to any place you stay overnight, from a hotel to a traditional inn. Commonly used in compound words like 宿泊 (しゅくはく, accommodation) and 民宿 (みんしゅく, guesthouse).
I'm looking for lodging for tonight.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'a place to stay.' Very natural in conversation when you're not specifying the type of lodging.
The speaker specifically means a hotel, business hotel, or similar Western-style lodging.
The standard word for 'hotel.' Covers everything from luxury hotels to business hotels. Use this when you mean a typical hotel.
The speaker wants to refer to a ryokan or similar Japanese-style lodging.
A traditional Japanese inn, often with tatami rooms, communal baths, and meals included. The quintessential Japanese lodging experience.
The speaker is looking for cheap, no-frills accommodation like a hostel or guesthouse.
The speaker wants to stay at a Buddhist temple that offers overnight accommodation.
The speaker is discussing lodging in the context of travel arrangements, such as booking a room or a package deal.
宿 is a broad term for any lodging, but in modern conversation, people often specify the type. ホテル is used for Western-style hotels, while 旅館 refers to traditional Japanese inns. If you're unsure, ホテル is the safest choice for a typical hotel stay.
I booked a place to stay. (could be any type)
We found cheap lodging near the station.
Have you decided on your lodging yet?
A formal term for 'accommodation facilities.' Used in official contexts, travel guides, or when discussing lodging options in a business setting.
There are many lodging facilities in this area.
I'm looking for a cheap place to stay.
I stayed at a hotel near the station.
A budget hotel aimed at business travelers, with small rooms and basic amenities. Very common in Japan.
I always use business hotels when I travel for work.
I stayed one night at a hot spring inn.
A family-run guesthouse, often in rural or coastal areas. More casual and cheaper than a ryokan, with a homely atmosphere.
I ate fresh fish dishes at the guesthouse.
A budget guesthouse, often with shared facilities. Popular with backpackers and younger travelers.
If you stay at a guesthouse, you can make friends with other travelers.
Youth hostel. Less common than guesthouses nowadays but still found in some areas.
Youth hostels are cheaper if you become a member.
Capsule hotel. A uniquely Japanese budget option with small sleeping pods. Mostly used by men, but some accept women.
I missed the last train, so I stayed at a capsule hotel.
Temple lodging where you can experience monastic life, including vegetarian meals and morning prayers. Popular in places like Koyasan.
I stayed at a temple lodging in Koyasan and had Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.
The act of staying overnight or accommodation as a service. Used in phrases like 宿泊予約 (accommodation reservation) or 宿泊料金 (lodging fee).
You can make a lodging reservation online.
The lodging fee includes breakfast.
Counter for nights stayed. Used when specifying the number of nights, e.g., 一泊 (one night), 二泊 (two nights).
It's a one-night, two-day trip.
ホテルを予約した。
I booked a hotel.
I booked a ryokan.
宿 (yado) means lodging, but 宿題 (shukudai) means homework. They share the same first kanji but are completely different words.
宿は快適で清潔でした。
The lodging was comfortable and clean.