Japan. Need help! Backpacking!
 

So. I'll be going to japan late march next year and I've decided to backpack japan. I know zero about backpacking or roughing it so HELP! Clean, cheap hostel/hotels recommendations?

Any suggested sites or books I could pick up about backpacking my way through japan?

HELP!

The Lonely Planet series is the go-to source for backpacking info. You might also visit the Thorntree, LP's travel forum.

Lonely Planet is gradually moving more upmarket as far as the guidebooks are concerned but Thorntree as suggested by Kathie is a good start. Rough Guides is probably a better bet as far as books are concerned. www.hostelworld.com and wwww.hostelbookers.com are reasonably good for booking cheaper hostel and B&B typ accomodation.

Also check japan-guide.com

I suggest that you not actually use a backpack when "backpacking" Japan unless you are going hiking and camping in the country.

And why would you suggest that mrwunful?

You'll get treated better without the backpack.

Friday, the 21st of March is a national holiday. You might want to work your trip so you aren't traveling that weekend.

In addition to hostelworld.com, try http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/ for budget accomodations

I've seen backpackers in Japan. Got a picture in mind of a couple of people with big ole backpacks at Hiroshima station heaving to put them on after getting off of the shinkansen. They were still getting adjusted as I took my rollaboard down the escalator.

To get to that point they had carried those things through airports and train stations with hard floors.

From there, they were to walk across the station and then walk with the beasts on their backs to their lodging - or maybe hauling them aboard a street car. They were going to be walking on sidewalks and paved city streets to get to their lodging where they would dump their bag.

On my first trip to Japan I took a rollaboard/backpack. That is, it has wheels and it has shoulder straps. It also has handles. I did put it on my back once but it was only a short distance. Coulda just used the handle. I have never used the shoulder straps again.

If I thought I was going to be walking some distance on dirt roads, or hiking and camping in the country, then I might use the straps. Otherwise, my luggage rolls until I pick it up to cross a puddle or a curb or use stairs at a train station.

Simple answer is: you can just use a rollaboard.

Recently returned from Japan where we did quite a few day hikes with only light day packs.
Don't know if a backpack would be advisable unless multi day treks are planned. We would send suitcases ahead to hotel by Tak-Q-Bin and live out of daypacks for 2/3 days.
Quite nice to be able to stay in comfortable modern surroundings(Dormy Inn with Onsen)
Leave for a days hike then be able to return and relax with good food and drink.

Japanese are avid hikers and their gear and techniques are top notch.

On Yakushima Island, a great backpacking destination, rental equipment was available for longer hikes.
Here is link to a english speaking guide on Yakushima with some island information and hiking links.
http://yakushimalife.appspot.com/main/hikes.jsp
https://www.facebook.com/YakushimaLife
I hope to book a guided hike next time I get back

Here are some links I've collected over the years
http://japanhike.wordpress.com
http://i-cjw.com/blog/
http://westwards.typepad.com/westwar...nakasendo.html
http://www.outdoorjapan.com
http://demo.inktails.com/2008/02/mt-hiko-day-hike/
http://japanhike.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/mt-hiko/
http://japanhike.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/mt-yufu/
http://demo.inktails.com/2007/11/yufuin-day-trip/

Which part of Japan are you travelling to? There are these 'capsule hotels' in some areas of Japan which are cheap but has limited amount of space (just enough for you to sleep,like a coffin, but it's very clean though). Going for their hiking trips is great, but I would suggest just bring an extra light-backpack instead of backpacking all the way there.

Besides hostels, inexpensive lodging options include minshuku and business hotels. There are also People's Lodges in several locations, including Miyajima.

You asked for links.

JNTO has an accommodation finder: www.jnto.go.jp/ja-search/eng/index.php

Japanese Inn Group: www.japaneseinngroup.com/index.html
Am not sure if I have used Japanese Inn Group but it sounds familiar and it was linked from the defunct Welcome Inn webpage which I have used (to book the Moto-Hakone Guest House which is featured on the JIG homepage).

You could take a look at www.japaneseguesthouses.com for a ryokan stay. Price category D is 7000 to 10,000 JPY. The site has a lot of information about types of ryokans and customs. They've added some nice search options.

Mrwunful, I know what you mean re large backpacks I was that person when we did our first long (18 month) trip in 2007/08 carrying a large backpack filled with stuff a lot of which we barely used. Since then, on a number of long trips we have travelled with Carryon only and love the freedom it gives. We each have a 40 litre backpack which weigh in at 10-12 kgs so no problems carrying those around. Re wheeled cases etc. great for those that feel the need but I do wish that there owners would pay more attention to there "driving" skills they are a constant menace in crowed areas such as airports lost count of the number of bruised ankles I have had as a result of those things! :-) each to there own...

With regard to your comment lcuy "You'll get treated better without the backpack." Never found that in Japan or elsewhere. Having stayed in varying levels of accomodation from cheap hostels to 5* hotels I have never found that to be the case. Indeed we were even upgraded on arrival in. Kyoto.

Back to the OP original question, two places worth considering are Andon Ryokan in Tokyo. A great location in Ueno and Yougendo Minshuku just outside Nara. Both reasonably cheap for cpJpan and really nice places.

crellston, I got a spinner carry-on because of people like you. :) I walk with it upright on all 4 wheels and beside me. Takes little effort to push it on a hard floor like at an airport.

I was guessing that those people who kicked my 2-wheeler were newbies - there is always a first time - and after one or two bruised ankles they would figure out how to avoid it. I guessed wrong. ;)

To get this post OT I will suggest these booking sites: www.agoda.com
www.japanican.com

Note that japanican has a "price per room" option in the lodging search.