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.
宿はどこですか。
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).
今夜の宿を探しています。
I'm looking for lodging for tonight.
宿はもう決まりましたか。
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.
この地域には宿泊施設がたくさんあります。
There are many lodging facilities in this area.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'a place to stay.' Very natural in conversation when you're not specifying the type of lodging.
安い泊まるところを探してるんだ。
I'm looking for a cheap place to stay.
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.
駅の近くのホテルに泊まりました。
I stayed at a hotel near the station.
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.
温泉旅館に一泊しました。
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.
The speaker is looking for cheap, no-frills accommodation like a hostel or guesthouse.
A budget guesthouse, often with shared facilities. Popular with backpackers and younger travelers.
ゲストハウスに泊まると、他の旅行者と友達になれます。
If you stay at a guesthouse, you can make friends with other travelers.
The speaker wants to stay at a Buddhist temple that offers overnight accommodation.
Temple lodging where you can experience monastic life, including vegetarian meals and morning prayers. Popular in places like Koyasan.
高野山の宿坊に泊まって、精進料理をいただきました。
I stayed at a temple lodging in Koyasan and had Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.
The speaker is discussing lodging in the context of travel arrangements, such as booking a room or a package deal.
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).
宿泊予約はインターネットでできます。
You can make a lodging reservation online.
宿泊料金には朝食が含まれています。
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).
一泊二日の旅行です。
It's a one-night, two-day trip.
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.
宿 (yado) means lodging, but 宿題 (shukudai) means homework. They share the same first kanji but are completely different words.
駅の近くで安い宿を見つけました。
We found cheap lodging near the station.
宿は快適で清潔でした。
The lodging was comfortable and clean.
A budget hotel aimed at business travelers, with small rooms and basic amenities. Very common in Japan.
出張の時はいつもビジネスホテルを使います。
I always use business hotels when I travel for work.
民宿で新鮮な魚料理を食べました。
I ate fresh fish dishes at the guesthouse.
Youth hostel. Less common than guesthouses nowadays but still found in some areas.
ユースホステルは会員になると安くなります。
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.
終電を逃したので、カプセルホテルに泊まりました。
I missed the last train, so I stayed at a capsule hotel.