Found it:

"Dress
Japan has hot summers and cold winters, so plan your wardrobe accordingly. A smart suit is essential for business meetings, and it is not advisable to go to a first-class hotel, a theatre or a restaurant wearing casual clothing."

La tee da. The only good thing about this is that it is hard to find on the website. Here is where you can find it:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert...la/facts/dress

I'm hoping this is a sign of the Shangri-la trying to attract a certain type of clientele (business and snobs) and not reflective of all first class hotels in Tokyo, though this is how they phrase it. Maybe a cultural difference, or perhaps I am unfamiliar with the world of the rich and famous. In any case, not my cup of tea, and wouldn't be, even if I were rich and famous. Who knows? Maybe I am....(not!)

Orcas, I will read with interest your report about how you felt you were treated by the Japanese people after your return.

Put me in your snob category I guess because I do think that a smart suit is essential for a business meeting in Japan and would not wear casual clothes (shorts and a tee shirt) into a theater, restaurant or a first class hotel.

You are spot on about the cultural differences as it is all about <b>respect</b> in Japan not about being a snob at all. Being a snob in Japan would loose you a lot of face.

Wow--this is a lot of great stuff to chew on.

I have to say that planning for Japan has been slightly overwhelming so far...so, no, HT, I have not yet figured out an itinerary quite yet.

I've actually been pouring over a guidebook I bought a few weeks ago and it's all so overwhelming. Every major tourist area seems interesting (and has something worth seeing) and it's near impossible to see everything in 2 weeks. My head is spinning!

Usually I have a very clear idea of where I want to go and rarely have a hard time coming up with multiple itineraries for our trips...if anything it's a matter of X'ing things off the list, but it seems like anywhere is a possibility in Japan and coming up with even one proposed plan has been hard.

Hopefully this will get a bit easier. I think I could plan a trip to the wilds of Borneo entirely blindfolded easier than this.

hawaiiantraveler, Having read about Japan, I am not planning on shorts and tees, but, since it will be summer and I will be out and about in the heat and humidity, I am planning on capris and button up shirts with short sleeves. I am relegated to comfortable walking shoes or sandals, which will not fit the "business" look, either. I will have something like a fanny pack or backpack to carry my tour book, a light jacket for the ac, and the things I buy. Business attire for touring in the heat and humidity - no way.

I do appreciate what you are saying about respect, but I don't think a "smart suit" or the female equivalent, is appropriate for touring. So, the hotel is not for me, nor probably for most tourists who plan to be out and about walking for hours.

I just wonder how many other hotels expect this. It is definitely a different culture.

filmwill, I know what you mean. We have only a week, and finally decided to spend it all in Kyoto. I'm glad we did, as I am finding way too much to do at that single destination to do in the five full days we have there. I am planning on a couple of day trips, but trying to keep it simple and minimize travel between places. Some of the guidebooks have suggested two week itineraries, and there are also websites you could look at and see what the tours do. It is a huge country. I hear the distance north to south is almost like Maine to Florida, so you really will have to pick and choose. I figure we'll go back. Who knows? Once you start reading about it and getting into Asia, then you start thinking about other destinations. But, from where we live, nearly all flights go through Japan, so it's a good place to break up a trip.

(We're also going to Singapore this trip, but it seems real easy. DH is going on business - OMG - We're staying at a business hotel...a top one, in fact, but I'm not concerned. I'll look good enough. And they speak English, there are walking tours, and I know I will have no trouble getting around on my own while he is working. It feels real different than going to Japan - still very interesting, but less of a challenge. Plus it's a lot smaller, of course.)

On our last trip to Japan we found the hotel and restaurant prices to be exactly the same as LA or NY...The first time I was there I would say they were double or triple. A great improvement, but still nothing like Bali.

BTW, I know you were also considering Africa and abandoned that plan because of cost - I just arranged a safari for the whole family, and although prices are outrageous compared to SE Asia, there are deals to be had.

Orcas, I'm sorry but I don't think your getting the point of what I was saying. No one is saying you have to tour in a business suit in Japan but you. The hotel is just informing you of dress codes in general and not necessarily of their hotel. When they say not to go to a first class restaurant or the theater in casual clothing it does not mean you have to wear a suit. Just dress respectfully like you would at home. You don't need to wear a suit everywhere.

The writers on the hotel website are being polite and English is a foreign language to them so you when you scrutinize their every written word you can miss their intended meaning. Again I am sorry for the misunderstanding and don't mean to sound condescending. Just trying to inform.

filmwill, Two weeks would give you time for a few days in Tokyo, a few days in Kyoto with day trips from both if you want and maybe two more cities, areas or towns to get the real taste of it all. You could fit in a couple of more places if you wanted to go faster as the transport systems(shinkansen) are fantastic and you can be somewhere else pretty darn quickly, but taking your time would be better the first time around. Don't worry about seeing it all your first time.....you'll be back,lol

Aloha!

btw you will be fine in the capris and button up shirts everywhere you go except a business meeting

Aloha!

Thanks, Hawaiiantraveler, I do get your point. Also, I think your thoughts on the language issue are interesting - also cultural. That is part of what fascinates me about the upcoming trip. I'm really looking forward to it!

The Japanese inspire us with their decorum and dress sense. They dress so neatly, even in casual clothes (and as our Japanese friend puts it "relax wear.")

It's interesting that the original Japanese language page of the said section on Shangri-La simply says that for first class establishments, a jacket is recommended. It doesn't say you shouldn't wear casual clothing. So a summer attire of cotton pants, polo shirt and a light summer jacket is perfectly acceptable just about anywhere in Japan. Even capris and sandals etc would be entirely ok for going in and out of their hotel - just not appropriate in more formal settings like their high-end restaurants.

Interesting, Alec. So much is Lost in Translation, as they say.

Yes Orcas, lost in translation

I agree with the other posts. Let me add that my husband is 6'3" and has been challenged by several of the traditional Japanese hotels we have stayed at with our Japanese friends because of this. I am reminded of a stay several years ago where the onsen kimono just did not fit nor did the wrist bracelet for his locker key. There were many good-natured chuckles-all part of the joy of travel to different lands and experiencing their cultures. Same goes for the tatami mats and little plastic stools used to pre-bathe before using the onsen. He has been a very good sport about this.

You will not find Japanese men wearing shorts, even in the summer, humid months but suits are not necessary. My husband will usually change into khakis and a polo shirt. I have worn pants and capris when the weather is warm even in the most high-end hotels. Let's face it- everyone already knows you are western and in modern Japan it is accepted. You need to be certain that you can easily remove your shoes for temples and homes and should either be wearing socks or have a pair with you. Also, for ladies, bring along a small washcloth-handkerchief since most restrooms do not have paper towels to dry hands-they cause litter and are frowned upon. You can buy them in many department stores which have incredible selections since they are a very popular and necessary item for reasonable prices. They also make great gifts.

We travel to Japan nearly every year for the past 9 years. While we stay in the Ginza while in Tokyo because it is the most convenient for my husband's business, there are many affordable options. Remember that you don't tip in restaurants or just about anywhere, including hotels and taxis (maybe round up); you can eat relatively cheaply in ramen shops, chain sushi restaurants and food courts in train stations; buying a subway pass from the machine in the subway station will save you yen on multiple trips; get cash from ATM's which are much more prevalent now than in past years for the best exchange rate(they are also in post offices). You can spend a small fortune on meals and hotels but with a little research and a desire to interact more with locals, you can stretch your dollar. Unfortunately, the dollar has taken a beating against the yen. In September 2007, the yen was 121 to $1. It is now 92 yen to $1. Nevertheless, we love Japan, the people and the culture. We'll be there for 3 days in February.

We just returned from our 6th trip to Japan.We stayed this time for 33 days.I agree with MKK that we have never found anything not affordable in this wonderful country.If you go with the mindset that the yen is = to the dollar then it is no problem for us.

Even our Japanese friends say that when we go to tourist places the "salary men" are always in their suits. This trip my husband and our friend wore polo shirts and jeans. If you realize that a pair of Levis in Japan cost 15,000y($150+) you could look on them as higher end wear. I wore jeans the whole time.My tops were either polos or I found some wonderful japanese clothes.I'm short and its great to find something that will actually fit there. One word of advice and you will notice it when you get there the older women do not show alot of skin. Like sleeveless dresses are worn with a t-shirt or something under.Nothing very tight.

The ryokans are wonderful deals. Where can you go for $200-300 a night and get a wonderful Japanese experience and two meals? sometimes served in your room.

The country is clean and safe. Courteous and wherever we go if we say English please they go out of their way to communicate. Our friends always laugh at us because we look Japanese but don't speak it so people start rattling off at us and we have to explain that we're American and don't speak the language but we're learning.

We can't wait to go back.I wasn't ready to come home.