767400

edit: dates are March 29 - April 3, 2017


Hello,

Is there any major Tokyo event or national holiday in that time frame? I did a quick search but I didn't find any huge events listed.

March 29 - April 3, 2017?

I was searching for hotels (3-4 star) and a large chunk of them are sold out already. Most of the expensive hotels are still available but the moderate places I have stayed at in past are booked up.

Thanks!

AlwaysAisle

This is one of frequent post here at Japan forum. Many Japanese hotels and roykans do not start taking reservation till three to four months in advance. If you search room availability on web based reservation sites this far in advance then often will show as a hotel completely booked.

Even if you are able to book this far in advance, usually rate is a rack rate (i.e. most expensive rate). I had this happened more than once, I made a reservation for a hotel in Japan very far in advance. I happened to went back to a hotel website about two months before the stay, just out of curiosity checked the room availability during my stay and there were room rates which were closed to half of what I have booked. Obviously, I cancelled my original reservation and booked new reservation under cheaper rate.

767400

Gotcha! Thanks for that heads up. Previously I usually booked my Tokyo hotels only 2 months in advance so this makes sense.

Thanks again!

MSPeconomist

Late March would be around cherry blossom time, but does the OP really need a reservation in the same hotel for over two months? The unavailability might be because a single date in this period is sold out at that particular hotel, so switching a few times would be more interesting and solve the problem.

Alternatively, has the OP considered a serviced apartment, which might be more cost effective as well as more comfortable?

767400

Opps.. typo on my part. I do not need a two month hotel, only 5 days. (Not sure if I can edit the thread title)

March 29 - April 3, 2017

AlwaysAisle

This will make little difference. End of March and beginning of April is school Spring break in Japan. Japanese school year starts in April so pretty much all schools (except for International American School, etc.) will be off. A lot of tourist places can be busy with school age kids.

Also, it is cherry blossom season. Lately cherry blossom has become very popular event for foreigners (non-Japanese) visiting Japan. Can even notice Narita Airport and Limousine Bus tend to be busier than usual during cherry blossom season. Hotels will be busy and rates likely to be higher.