Originally Posted by
est-gratuite
Many hotel staff in Japan get very grumpy and unhappy if you show up even 1 minute before the official check-in time, which for this hotel is 2p.m. or 3p.m. I think.
I'm not sure if this is what caused the poor welcome here, but just wanted to make you aware it's a possibility.
Yes, they are a grumpy bunch, but it doesn't have to be like that. We have showed up at the IC Osaka repeatedly at 9-10amish and gotten our room as we came off an overnight flight. Did we expect it, no, would we make a fuss if not granted, no, but it is certainly possible and showing up at 1pm shouldn't be an eternal sin any longer that is met with consternation. They could at least cook up some spiel and say why it is too early or not possible in a bit more customer friendly way.