A first trip to Japan can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. Your choice of hotel can have a major impact on the overall experience, especially when traveling with family or a group. Typical Japanese hotels are clean and efficient, but they can feel compact for travelers who want space to relax or prepare simple meals during a longer stay.
Apartment hotels like MIMARU have become a popular choice for travelers who want to feel at home on their first trip to Japan. With kitchens and dining areas in every room, as well as enough space for families to stay together, MIMARU offers a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
3 Reasons We Recommend MIMARU for First-Time Visitors to Japan
MIMARU is an apartment hotel brand where every room includes a kitchen, allowing families and groups to relax together in one shared space. Located near major stations in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, it is an ideal base for first-time visitors exploring Japan.
For a first trip to Japan, it is important to have access to meals, laundry facilities, and a spacious place to relax. MIMARU provides facilities that let you stay as if you were living locally.
(1) Spacious Guest Rooms Ideal for Families and Groups
Guest rooms are larger than those at typical Japanese hotels and come fully equipped with a kitchen, cooking utensils, and a dining table.
Beyond enjoying restaurants, you can also buy Japanese ingredients at local supermarkets and enjoy cooking with your family. For laundry during long term stays an in-hotel coin laundry or an in-room washer is available (varies by property).
(2) Multilingual Front Desk Staff for Peace of Mind in an Unfamiliar Country
MIMARU’s front desk is staffed with English-speaking team members, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay without worrying about language barriers.
Whether you need help navigating unfamiliar train stations in Japan, making restaurant reservations, or understanding local transportation, our front desk staff will be happy to assist you.
(3) Extensive Rental Items That Help Reduce Bulky Luggage
Luggage tends to add up on a first trip to Japan or when traveling abroad with young children. MIMARU offers a variety of rental items to make your stay even more comfortable and convenient.
Available items include kitchen appliances such as rice cookers and toasters to make in-room cooking easier, as well as irons and ironing boards for keeping clothes neat. Families with children will also find a wide selection of support items, such as baby beds, bed guards, and high chairs. You can pack lighter while still enjoying a stay that feels as comfortable as home.
Recommended MIMARU Hotels for Your First Stay in Tokyo
For your first stay in Tokyo, we highly recommend properties in the Ueno and Shinjuku areas, both of which offer convenient access from Narita and Haneda Airports and easy travel to popular sightseeing spots.
MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East
Just a 3-minute walk from the Iriya Exit of JR Ueno Station, this hotel is especially popular with families thanks to its convenient access and famous Pokémon Room.
Travel from Narita Airport via the Keisei Skyliner takes about 55 minutes, making arrival and departure days easier. Access to traditional sightseeing spots such as Ueno Park and Asakusa is also excellent.
MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West
Located a 10-minute walk from the South Exit of JR Shinjuku Station, this property is ideal for travelers who want to actively explore Tokyo from one of the city’s major shopping and transportation hubs.
The hotel is also accessible from Haneda Airport in about one hour by limousine bus, this property takes full advantage of Shinjuku’s role as a major transportation hub, helping you navigate your first Tokyo trip smoothly.
Recommended MIMARU Hotels for Stays in Kyoto and Osaka
In the Kansai area, properties near Kyoto Station, a Shinkansen terminal, and Namba Station, the heart of Osaka Minami, are extremely convenient for a first trip to Kansai.
MIMARU Kyoto Station
Just a 2-minute walk from the Hachijo East Exit of JR Kyoto Station, this hotel is an excellent base for day trips not only around Kyoto but also to nearby cities such as Nara and Osaka.
Easy access from Kansai International Airport by limited express train means even first-time travelers with heavy luggage can arrive with less stress.
MIMARU Osaka Namba Station
Located a 4-minute walk from the South Exit of Nankai Namba Station, this hotel offers an outstanding location, about 50 minutes by direct train from Kansai International Airport.
The Minami area, known for Osaka’s vibrant food culture and entertainment, is within walking distance, allowing your family to fully enjoy sightseeing in Osaka.
FAQ: First-Time Travel to Japan and Staying at MIMARU
Here, we answer five common questions first-time visitors to Japan may have, covering language barriers, luggage, facilities, cultural differences, and cooking. MIMARU provides an environment where international travelers can stay with peace of mind.
Q. Is it okay if I don’t speak Japanese? Are there English-speaking staff?
A. Yes, please rest assured. MIMARU’s front desk staff can communicate in English. We place a strong emphasis on multilingual support and can assist you throughout your stay.
Q. Can I leave my luggage before check-in or after check-out?
A. Yes, we can store your luggage free of charge. Between 7:00 and 22:00 on your check-in or check-out day, our front desk staff will safely store your luggage. Tokyo and Kyoto stations can be complex and unfamiliar, and moving around with a large suitcase can be challenging. By leaving your luggage at the hotel, you can travel light and start exploring Japan right away.
Q. What is the difference between an apartment hotel, a typical hotel, and Airbnb?
A. MIMARU combines the reassurance and front desk service of a hotel with the spaciousness and living facilities of an apartment. In terms of cleaning standards and security, MIMARU offers greater peace of mind than typical vacation rentals. Please see the comparison table below.
| Accommodation Type | Facilities and Space | Service and Reassurance |
| APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU | Spacious room/ Kitchen and dining area included | English-speaking front desk / High security |
| Typical Hotel | Compact rooms / No in-room cooking | Daily cleaning / Full on-site restaurants and amenities |
| Vacation Rental (e.g., Airbnb) | Varies greatly by property | Often no front desk / Security standards may vary |
Q. Do I need to take off my shoes in the guest room? I’m not familiar with Japanese etiquette.
A. In most rooms, guests do not need to remove their shoes. However, in Japanese-style rooms and certain room types, guests are asked to remove their shoes at the entrance to experience a traditional Japanese way of living and relax comfortably inside.
Q. Are cooking utensils available in the room’s kitchen?
A. Yes. Each room is fully equipped with basic cooking utensils such as pots, frying pans, and knives, as well as tableware including plates, chopsticks, and forks.