Minshuku, I’m Sleeping Over Tonight!

Once, a French cameraman made up a new concept on television, trying to ask people in other countries if he can sleep over at their place. As he progressed, he found much more difficulty in Japan than any other country he had been during all his experiences abroad! However, a more convenient way is to use Minshuku (民宿), which will offer you the opportunity to meet Japanese people more intimately. Lucky you!

Minshuku, the equivalent of Bed and Breakfast in Great Britain, is maybe the easiest way for travellers who want to meet local people in Japan. As you may know, to try to have a discussion with a Japanese person on the street rarely succeeds for many reasons, the language barrier first. Even more, to be invited at their own house is almost unbelievable in this country as the home serves as a private sanctuary for many. No joke, to enter in a Japanese house is very, very rare! Usually, people—even with friends!—prefer to have relations and parties outside in the cities, preserving their private homes as an intimate place.

However, this changes entirely if you use a minshuku. Indeed, some Japanese DO like to host foreigners at their own place. Mostly retired, they decided to offer one of their rooms to the tourists looking to find a different experience than a standard hotel, hostel, or ryokan (旅館). Not only because more and more retired Japanese don’t get a sufficient pension and need to get a bit more money, but these people really are interested in learning about foreigners and their respective cultures. If in some countries people do it just for money, be sure that the Japanese kindness and warmness will convince you that their interest is more than just the weight of their pocket.

More than occidental people, Japanese are much more curious about other civilizations and look for extra cultural exchanges. Quite often, your hosts will be able to speak, at least, a bit English, enough to explain some customs and traditions of the living manners in a Japanese house. Also, don’t be surprised to be treated like a king. This is just the Japanese way to welcome someone in their country and into their home. But don’t forget your own manners! During your stay, it is good to know a bit about the behaviors and traditions of Japan.

For example, try not to leave your chopsticks planted in the rice. This is a symbol of death! Also, take off your shoes before entering into the house… the home interior in Japan is made of many codes that everyone should to respect carefully.

Minshuku is a great manner to discover more about Japan and people. We experienced it several times and truly recommend it to you. Small rooms, little furniture, thin walls… such an experience will help you to understand how Japanese people deal with space and materials.

It is commonly said that minshuku can be expensive, but since the breakfast and the dinner are usually included, the price is not that expensive compared to any hotels. Depending on the location—countryside or the city—a stay in a Japanese family’s house may cost you between 5000 and 9000 yens (50 and 90 dollars) per person, per day. Typically, you will certainly sleep on a futon in your own room with a floor made of tatami.

Like sleeping traditions, you will also discover the traditional Japanese food. That’s why its worth the money, as they probably will cook you a great meal made of vegetables, fish and other local specialties. In some places, you may even be able to request a more traditionally Western type meal.  Staying in a minshuku is a very traditional but also authentic approach to deal with Japan.

Certainly neither the cheapest way to stay at a place nor the most expensive, minshuku is an unforgettable experience to have in Japan. If you loved Lost in translation and also thought that Bob and Charlotte looked like stupid in that luxurious hotel, then the complete opposite way would certainly be the minshuku. Many tourists may regret afterward having been to Japan without learning much about people there. The difficult language, more rigid relations and physical separation can explain why dealing with local people sounds like an ordeal. But staying in a minshuku will partly break these cultural barriers… the barriers that prevented our French cameraman from sleeping over in their house.

-Safe Travels