Originally Posted by
gnaget
I don't think any hotel anywhere could charge you for an early arrival. If you want it guaranteed then pay for an extra night; that's standard. I suppose a hotel that has a day rate could charge you for that; that's an airport type thing, however.
I think you've covered it. If you want a guarantee that your room will be ready at 7am, the only way to do this at most hotels is to pay for the previous night. There may be some hotels that have 24-hour plans, and others that have a day rate, but those are few and far between.
Most hotels will let you check in that early if a room is available, but Japan of course will have notable exceptions. I've been denied early check-in in Osaka at noon because "check-in doesn't start until 3pm." It's just part of the mentality.