Japanese Hotel Question

Interestingly, "coming of age" in Japan is at age 19. That's when a person becomes an adult.
Can you live with the uncertainty about what will happen until you arrive on their doorstep? If so, my guess is they would feel obliged to find an alternative if they cannot admit you as guests. If not, and you seem already pretty churned up by this news, it might be better to contact the hotel directly, explain the situation, and ask what they can do for you. (Does the website give an email address?) Japanese can be particular about really minor rules, but sometimes their lists of who can or can't stay at a hotel are quite formal and arbitrary. (E.g. people with tattoos, gang members, etc.)
Either way, play straight up with them rather than pretending you didn't know. Japanese can be amazingly helpful and accommodating and will try to help solve a problem if they have a business relationship with you (as in this case)..

I don't think I would leave it to chance. The Japanese tend to like to follow the rules and I noticed that when we were there last year, that not only did they ask to see your passport but the registration forms that you filled out included a line for "Your Age".

I assume your budget is fairly limited but have a look at the Toyoko-Inn website. Their prices are very reasonable but they do book up quickly because of that. We stayed at one of their hotels in Kanazawa and thought it was excellent value. The hotel is reasonably new and rooms are very small but extremely clean and had everything you need. There were coin washers and dryers available downstairs and a free Japanese breakfast in the morning.

The one we stayed at was a very easy walk from the station. Turn to the right as you leave the station (main entrance) and was only a couple of blocks down, on the same side of the road as the station.

Kanazawa-eki Higashi-guchi
ADDRESS: 13-23 Kanazawa City Syowa Machi
TEL : 076-224-1045
FAX : 076-224-1044

The website for the Toyoko chain is www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
There are several Toyoko Inns in Kanazawa so be careful when booking if you decide to give it a go. We did not have to pay any deposit before arriving.

I just had a look at the website and the price where we stayed is ¥7,665 (with taxes) for a double/twin room.

Thank both of you for your answers!

I will try to email the hotel and ask, although I may also email hostelworld, since my reservation was paid to them, I believe.

If 19 is when Japanese come of age, hopefully that means I won't encounter this problem at every hotel I booked. I really wasn't expecting this to happen!

Shandy, thank you for the tip regarding the Toyoko Inns. I think we looked at one of those for Osaka, but decided to do something else there. The one in Kanazawa looks nice and the prices are very reasonable! I might reserve with them if I can't get anywhere with the first hotel.

I made a mistake: 20 is more accurately when you come of age in Japan. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_of_Age_Day

Which hotel is it? I see 3 hotels listed on hostelworld.com kikunoya, hinodeya and Central but didn't find the mention of age. Just curious, I might like to check if the same is mentioned on Japanese page too.

Hey Mirachan,

I am Kitty, actually I work for Hostelworld. If I could have the hotel name or your booking number, I will check for you to see what I could help. You could contact me at kitty@hostelworld.com.

I am happy to help you out. Hope to hear from you.

I was just about to post that I have used hostelworld extensively on our round the world trip last years and was very impressed with teh efficinecy and service and then I saw the above post. Above and beyond the the levels of service predominant in the travel industry these days!