Honto Japan Editorial– Author –

Eight sukiyaki restaurants in Tokyo, from a 2,750 yen weekday lunch to a 26,000 yen Matsusaka beef course, with what each one's own site says about service charges, who cooks at the table, children, reservations and cancellation. The historic Imahan and Chinya, Hiyama in Ningyocho, a 35th-floor view at Moritaya, Ginza Rangetsu, and two cheap options.

Hotel Taikanso overlooks Matsushima Bay near Sendai. Before you book: the hotel says its baths are heated water, not an onsen, so no bathing tax is charged; there are no room-only stays; elementary children pay 70 percent and ages 3 to preschool 50 percent; cancellation is 30 percent from three days out; and the free shuttle does not go to Sendai. From the hotel's own pages.

Nakanobo Zuien is an Arima Onsen ryokan near Kobe with gold and silver springs. Before you book: no one under 13 may stay even at the adult rate, tattoos are not allowed in the large baths, there is no bathing-only entry, cancellation starts 7 to 10 days out, dinner must start by 19:30, and a 15 percent service charge is added. From the ryokan's own pages.

Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima sits 108 meters up with an onsen facing Sakurajima. Before you book: tattoos are refused at the bath, children 7 and over cannot use the opposite sex's bath by city ordinance, the onsen closes 11:00 to 13:00, cancellation is 20 percent the day before and 80 on the day, a 150 yen bathing tax is added for guests 16 and over, and the free shuttle loops the city. From the hotel's own Japanese pages.

What age do children stop staying free in Japanese hotels? We read the official rules of 30 chains and hotels and put them in one table. The answer is not a number: most set the line at preschool, which changes every April rather than on a birthday. Vessel goes to 18, the b hotels to 11, and Dormy Inn charges from age 3.

Japan's convenience store sandwiches are cheap, good and priced differently depending on which prefecture you buy them in. We read 7-Eleven's own product pages: 115 items listed, prices from 198 to 430 yen before tax, availability set region by region, and a tax-included figure that is rounded down at the till. Plus what Lawson stocks.

Enoshima Island Spa is the onsen and pool complex on Enoshima with a hotel above it, an hour from Tokyo. Before you go: preschool children cannot enter the bathing floors at all, tattoos of any kind are refused including stickers and henna, the shuttle will not carry under-6s, and hotel guests use the spa free. Check-in 15:00, checkout 11:00, cancellation from three days out.

Hotel Collective sits on Kokusai-dori in Naha with a fourth-floor pool that is free for guests. Before you book: check-in 15:00 and checkout 11:00, an 18:00 no-show cutoff, parking at 1,800 yen a night, tattoos that must be covered in the pool, no under-18s staying alone, and a Sunday when the street outside closes to cars. From the hotel's English FAQ and its accommodation terms.

The Park Front Hotel is the USJ official hotel facing the park gate. Before you book: check-in 15:00 and checkout at noon, early check-in or late checkout costs a full extra night, cancellation 20 percent the day before and 80 percent on the day, preschoolers sleep free but elementary-age children pay the adult rate, a consent form for junior-high guests, and no curfew but a 23:00 call. From the hotel's own Japanese FAQ.

Chorakuen is the 1868 ryokan at the source of Tamatsukuri Onsen near Matsue, with Japan's largest mixed-gender open-air bath. Before you book: check-in 15:00 with 18:00 as the latest arrival, checkout 10:00, cancellation 30 percent from three days out and 50 the day before, no day-use bathing, bath wear provided for the mixed bath, meals in dining rooms only with private rooms at 3,300 yen, a fully non-smoking building since February 2026, and a station shuttle by request. From the official English page and Japanese FAQ.

Kamakura Prince Hotel sits on the bluff above Shichirigahama beach, eight minutes from the Enoden station. Before you book: check-in from 15:00 with a call required after 18:00, cancellation 20 percent the day before and 80 on the day, children under 6 free in a parent's bed and 2,000 yen from 6 to 11, a parental consent form for under-18s traveling alone, parking 1,000 yen a night, no onsen, and no outside food. From the official Japanese FAQ and access pages.

Sapporo Grand Hotel is the 1934 hotel a block from Odori Park, joined to the Chi-Ka-Ho underground walkway from Sapporo Station. Before you book: check-in 15:00 and checkout 11:00, cancellation free until 8 days before then 20, 50, 80 and 100 percent, preschoolers sharing a bed free, a 1,600-yen crib and 3,600-yen extra bed, a call required for arrivals after midnight, and side entrances that close at night. From the official Japanese FAQ.