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.
Have you decided on your lodging yet?
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'a place to stay.' Very natural in conversation when you're not specifying the type of lodging.
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.
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.
Temple lodging where you can experience monastic life, including vegetarian meals and morning prayers. Popular in places like Koyasan.
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.
We found cheap lodging near the station.
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 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.
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.
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.
The lodging was comfortable and clean.