Hotels in Japan are renowned for offering great value, especially when compared to European hotels. It's easy to find 3-star properties right in the city center for less than €100 per night.
To enjoy a pleasant stay while sticking to your budget, APA Hotels is one of the best options, known for its excellent value. We often choose this chain when we travel, and here’s why.
Why Choose APA Hotels?
APA Hotels can be found in all major Japanese cities, offering modern amenities at competitive prices. In addition to standard services, here are the main reasons we love this chain:
- New Facilities: APA Hotels are new, with stylish but somewhat flashy décor.
- Baggage Drop-off Service: You can leave your bags at any time, even if your check-in isn’t until the evening.
- Laundry Facilities: Perfect for doing laundry without leaving the hotel.
- Smart TVs: These allow you to check the occupancy of the public baths.
- Sentô Baths: These public hot baths are a real treat after a long day of sightseeing or to start your day feeling refreshed.
Sentô differs from onsen; the former uses artificially heated water, while the latter is fed by natural hot springs known for their health benefits. If you’re unsure how to use a sentô, check out our guide.
Note that tattoos are not allowed in APA Hotel baths, as the owner is quite traditional.
If there’s one downside to APA Hotels, it’s the size of the rooms, which can be quite small. We’ve had to store our suitcases under the bed due to lack of space. However, this has never been a major issue since we mainly use the hotel for sleeping and enjoying the hot baths!
Not all APA Hotels have public baths. To help you find them, we’ve listed our favorite APA Hotel properties.
We do not have a promotional partnership with APA Hotels, but we genuinely appreciate the ones mentioned, and all Booking.com links use our affiliate code.
Which APA Hotel to Choose in Tôkyô?
Tôkyô boasts many APA Hotels, often located just steps away from each other, particularly in popular districts. Be sure to double-check the hotel name to avoid confusion, as several hotels may have similar names.
Shinjuku: APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
Located in the heart of the lively Kabukichô district near Shinjuku, this hotel offers a great experience in central Tôkyô.
- Rating: 8.1/10
- Price: 100 € to 120 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath and outdoor bath, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to midnight
- View on Booking
Note: The hotel is split into two buildings. Depending on where your room is, you might need to switch buildings to access the bath, which isn’t the most convenient.
Ueno: APA Hotel Ueno Ekiminami
Just a stone’s throw from Ueno Station, this hotel is ideally located for exploring Ueno Park, catching the subway, the Yamanote Line, or even the Shinkansen to other destinations, including Narita Airport.
- Rating: 8.2/10
- Price: 100 € to 120 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath and small outdoor bath, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 1 AM
- View on Booking
Shinagawa : APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Ekimae
This slightly off-the-beaten-path hotel in Shinagawa offers great value while staying close to the Yamanote Line, making it convenient for a quick trip to Haneda Airport.
- Rating: 7.9/10
- Price: 90 € to 110 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor and outdoor baths with individual tubs, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 2 AM
- View on Booking
Which APA Hotel to Choose in Kyôto?
Kyôto is a must-see destination for any trip to Japan. Here’s a centrally located, comfortable option for your stay in this historic city.
APA Hotel Kyoto Eki Horikawadori
Conveniently located near Kyôto Station, this hotel is a strategic base for exploring the city and its surroundings.
- Rating: 8.0/10
- Price: 70 € to 90 € for a double room
- Baths: Two large indoor baths, an outdoor bath, and a sauna, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 1 AM
- View on Booking
Which APA Hotel to Choose in Ôsaka?
In bustling Ôsaka, APA offers several hotels with public baths. Here are two of our favorites.
Shin-Ôsaka Station : APA Hotel Shin Osaka Ekimae
Located right across from JR Shin-Ôsaka Station, this hotel is particularly convenient if you’re taking the Shinkansen or planning to travel to another city quickly. However, there’s not much to see around the hotel, so you’ll need to rely on the subway or train to get around.
- Rating: 8.6/10
- Price: 60 € to 80 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath with two smaller baths, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 2 AM
- View on Booking
City center : APA Hotel Yodoyabashi Kitahama Ekimae
Located in the city center, this hotel is within walking distance of Ôsaka Castle and close to the subway for quick access to Umeda and Shin-Ôsaka Stations.
- Rating: 8.3/10
- Price: 70 € to 90 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath, outdoor bath with no view, and a sauna, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 1 AM
- View on Booking
Which APA Hotel to Choose in the Tôhoku and Hokkaidô Regions?
Northern Japan, though less touristy, still offers a few noteworthy APA Hotels with public baths.
Sendai : APA Hotel Sendai Eki Itsutsubashi
Located 200 meters from JR Sendai Station, this hotel is a great base for exploring the region.
- Rating: 7.3/10
- Price: 60 € to 80 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath and outdoor bath, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 1 AM
- View on Booking
Sapporo : APA Hotel TKP Sapporo Eki-Kitaguchi Excellent
Close to Sapporo’s central station, this hotel offers all the comforts you need for an enjoyable stay.
- Rating: 7.4/10
- Price: 60 € to 80 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor bath and an outdoor bath on the rooftop! Open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 10 PM
- View on Booking
Which APA Hotel to Choose in Kyûshû?
In this lesser-visited region, APA Hotels with public baths are rarer, but you’ll still find them in major cities.
Fukuoka : APA Hotel Hakataeki Chikushiguchi
Located near JR Hakata Shinkansen Station in central Fukuoka, this hotel is a solid choice.
- Rating: 7.8/10
- Price: 70 € to 100 € for a double room
- Baths: Large indoor and outdoor baths, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 2 AM
- View on Booking
Note: The hotel is split into two buildings. Depending on where your room is, you might need to switch buildings to access the bath, which isn’t the most convenient.
Kumaoto : APA Hotel Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal Minami
This hotel is 15 minutes by tram from Kumamoto Station, near the famous Kumamoto Castle.
- Rating: 7.2/10
- Price: 60 € to 80 € for a double room
- Baths: Small bath, open from 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 2 AM
- View on Booking
This APA Hotel is slightly disappointing in terms of location and bath quality. The budget hotels in Kumamoto are generally average, and we prefer the "Toyoko Inn Kumamoto Ekimae" (7.7/10), which doesn’t have a bath and can be a bit noisy, but it’s conveniently located right in front of JR Kumamoto Station.
