Helpful insights for expats on choosing hotels from a national survey

One of the biggest advantages of living in Japan as an expat is the sheer ease of travel. I've been able to work my way through almost all of Japan's prefectures during my time here, and any time I'm thinking of somewhere to go, the main question that comes up is "where to stay?"

To better understand how people make that decision, NEXER Inc. (in collaboration with Grand Park Otaru) conducted a nationwide survey of 500 men and women who said they enjoy traveling. I think the results are helpful for us as expats, especially for anyone who is new to life in Japan.

When asked what they prioritize when choosing a hotel, price and location clearly dominated. A total of 78.2% of respondents said price was important, while 70.4% cited location or access. Cleanliness and room atmosphere followed at 45.2%, showing that while travelers want to manage accommodation costs, comfort still plays a major role. Facilities such as large public baths and breakfast quality were also mentioned, although that was by a smaller share of respondents.

When participants were asked to select the single most important factor, price remained the top priority for 40.4% of respondents. Location and access came next at 21.0%, followed by room atmosphere and cleanliness at 12.6%. Many respondents explained that keeping accommodation affordable allows them to travel more frequently or allocate more of their budget to food and activities, which I can absolutely relate to.

The survey also revealed that comparing options is the norm. An overwhelming 85.4% of respondents said they compare multiple hotels before booking, either every time or occasionally. Reasons ranged from wanting better value for money to finding hotels that better match individual needs, such as access to sightseeing spots, on-site baths, or overall comfort. I always compare when booking accommodation, whether that's comparing different hotels to see what they offer, or even searching the same accommodation option on different booking sites to see if I can snag a better deal. 

Finally, when asked about absolute deal-breakers, responses varied widely. That said, price, location, and cleanliness once again appeared most often. Some respondents highlighted practical concerns such as having a private bathroom, a relaxing atmosphere for families, or food quality. I think that point about private bathrooms is a big one for us as expats. I am still not keen on shared bathrooms even after living here for a long chunk of time, and will always avoid accommodation options where that's the case. I like my own space!

What are the most important factors to you when choosing accommodation here in Japan?