Still trying to put my Japan itinerary together. Looking to book my hotel in Tokyo from the 3rd till 4th of Jan but loads of hotels not taking booking beyond 2014. This seems bizarre to me because I've already booked hotels for my holidays for 2015 it seems to be in Japan this isn't possible. There are a few hotels available but the rates are ridiculously expensive like �400 a night for some of the hotels we are looking at. It's the last day of our honeymoon and we don't mind splashing the cash a bit but if I know the rate isn't nearly that expensive on other days it seems ridiculous. For example the Palace Hotel was quoting us �220 a night around Xmas but shot up to �380 for the 3rd. I didn't think this was a peak time. Should I wait for a while before booking and hope rates come down? I was looking for 5* with pool and spa, other possibilities were the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Peninsula or Four Seasons. We are already staying in Jr suite at Hilton at beginning of trip so wanted something different.

The first 3 days of January are holidays in Japan. One of the busiest times of the year.

Hmmm..... a very quick search on Travelocity shows lots of choices. Even the ANA for $200. Maybe a new search or a different search engine? Just checked GHT site and it has space at normal prices too.

Christmas is not a major holiday in Japan, while New Year's is. Moreover, many hotels do not open up discount bookings this far out, so you're likely only to encounter the rack rate.

The ANA is an option but it doesn't have an indoor pool and we were hoping for a quiet relaxing day at hotel before our flight. I realise NY is a big deal but I thought by the 3rd people would be back at work? I'll maybe hold off a few months and see what comes up. I think I'm just being a misery guts as I begrudge paying so much for a hotel for one night.

National Holiday is always at least Jan 1-3 but this year work will resume the 5th as the 4th is a Sunday.

Options include using hotel points or airline miles for a room if the price is prohibitive.

To avoid worry, make a reservation now that can be cancelled without penalty. Then continue to look for better options.

If you are just going to hang out at the hotel then you can stay around Narita (if you are flying from there) for the last night. There you have the chain hotels around the airport (Hilton, ANA, etc. and I would guess that they will have pools) or my preferred choice of a hotel in Narita city.

As mjm points out, Jan 1-3 all days inclusive is one of the two big holiday periods in Japan; the other being Golden week in early May. If you look at parking signs in places like Shibuya the only days of the year that parking meters are not active are Jan 1-3. If that puts it in perspective for you.

Thanks for that gnaget. As I am VS crew I've stayed in Narita many times so was going to try and avoid but it would be maybe more useful and cheaper! As it is somehow I managed to get the Conrad for �248 for the night for a bay view room. I got it through Travel Republic but it was double that on the Conrad website so going to double check to make sure we have a reservation just in case! Do you happen to know if public transport/taxis run on these days?

Yes of course. The city doesn't shut down like Xmas in some European countries.

Even some big stores will be open Jan 1, and giant sale during those days. Also Venus Fort (mall) in Odaiba will be open Jan 1.