Accommodation in Japan is about the same price as in most Western countries, so it?s not quite as reasonable as prices for eating out and there aren?t quite so many ways to save money. But, it?s still possible to make your yen go a little bit further with some research and prior planning.
The top end of accommodation; a ryokan in Kinosaki, Hyogo Prefecture

Youth Hostels
 Youth hostels are the cheapest way to go for single travellers, and are of course excellent for meeting other travellers. Thanks to sites like www.hostelbookers.com, they?re easy enough to find, compare and book. Some very old-school places don?t really have an online presence, so if you want to check these you might do well to check the moderately useless Japan Youth Hostels website at http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/. Bear in mind that these are all official Hostelling International places so you?ll need to be a member or pay higher rates; if you think you?re going to stay at more than one HI youth hostel it?s worth becoming a member. This can be done at any HI youth hostel on arrival. Rates at Japanese youth hostels vary, but bank on 3000-3500 yen per night. It?s worth aiming for the youth hostels housed in old or atmospheric buildings such as the old country house that serves as the Yufuin Country Road Youth Hostel, or the 19th century fisherman?s house that now houses the charmingly bonkers Momoiwaso Youth Hostel on Rebun Island, off Hokkaido. Hotels
If you?re in a couple or any larger group, it?s often...