Korea, Japan’s neighboring country, is a familiar travel destination for Japanese people. However, there are many who are planning a trip to Korea but aren’t confident in Korean or English. While getting around the city may be manageable, no one wants to deal with trouble at the hotel.
That’s why this time we’ve selected Japanese-affiliated hotels that have Japanese staff or staff who can speak Japanese. With Japanese-speaking staff, you can make detailed requests with ease, and since many of these hotels are designed with Japanese guests in mind, you’re less likely to be confused by unfamiliar customs.
We hope this article helps you find the perfect Japanese hotel for your stay!
1. Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
The first recommended Japanese-affiliated hotel is Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeongdong. With 312 functional and clean guest rooms, it allows you to momentarily forget you’re in the middle of the city. The bathrooms are designed in Japanese style with a separate washing area, and the toilets are equipped with washlets, giving you the comfort of being in Japan.
For dining, enjoy a fusion of Japanese, Western, and Korean breakfast at the 21st-floor restaurant SOL. Having breakfast while overlooking the Myeongdong cityscape will help you start your morning feeling refreshed.
The hotel is also recommended for business travelers as it is equipped with PCs for printing and conference rooms.
2. Henn na Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
The robot-staffed Henn na Hotel has finally arrived in Korea! This is the only hotel in Seoul where you’ll be greeted in the lobby by dinosaur-shaped robots. Even check-in is handled by robots, which support not only Korean but also Japanese.
However, it's not fully unmanned—you can still receive warm hospitality from Japanese-speaking staff available 24 hours a day.
Rooms are equipped with bathtubs where you can soak up to your shoulders, and the beds are incredibly comfortable, perfect for relieving the fatigue from sightseeing or business trips.
The hotel’s futuristic restaurant also serves a highly-rated breakfast combining Japanese and Korean flavors.
3. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Seoul Myeongdong
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Seoul Myeongdong is part of the Sotetsu Group, based in Kanagawa Prefecture. Conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Myeongdong Station, it’s ideal for both sightseeing and business.
Amenities like complimentary coffee and tea are provided, and the coin laundry makes it suitable for long-term stays. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and some rooms have separate bath and toilet areas, which is a plus.
Check-out time is at 12:00 noon, perfect for late risers.
Note: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Seoul Myeongdong is a cashless hotel, so cash payments are not accepted. Don’t forget to bring your credit or debit card!
4. Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
Very popular in Japan, Brown, the famous character from LINE stamps, welcomes you at the lobby with an adorable plush doll! Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong is especially popular among women and families as a photogenic and cute hotel.
Besides the lobby, there are 26 guest rooms featuring Brown and Cony, adding an extra touch of fun to your stay. Be sure to post your photos on social media and show them off♪
At the front desk, there are staff who speak Japanese, so feel free to ask for help if you need anything.
Breakfast mainly features Western dishes, while dinner offers Korean-style cuisine.
The location is convenient too—just a 6-minute walk from Exit 7 of City Hall Station on Subway Lines 1 and 2.
5. Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Dongdaemun
Another hotel from the Sotetsu Group (Sagami Railway), Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Dongdaemun offers a chic and calm atmosphere, quite different from the one in Myeongdong.
Every room is equipped with Simmons beds, making it ideal for business travelers as well.
As for dining, you’ll be satisfied with the open and spacious restaurant, where you can enjoy freshly made omelets prepared right in front of you at the live kitchen.
Its location is excellent—just a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 or 9 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on Subway Lines 2, 4, and 5!
6. Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun 2
Toyoko Inn is one of Japan’s representative business hotel chains, with locations in 46 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures. In Korea, it also stands out for having a large number of branches among Japanese-affiliated hotels.
Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun 2 is conveniently located about a 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on Subway Line 2, and just a 1-minute walk from the airport limousine bus stops coming from Incheon and Gimpo Airports. It’s perfect for both sightseeing and business. Like the Toyoko Inns in Japan, complimentary breakfast is also available, which is a nice bonus!
The guest room interiors are comparable to those in Japan, and there are bathtubs in the bathrooms. While the electrical outlet shape is different, the hotel offers plug adapters for guests.
7. Hotel Gracery Seoul
Hotel Gracery Seoul is in a prime location—about a 3-minute walk to Korea’s largest market, Namdaemun Market, and within walking distance of Seoul Station.
All rooms have separate baths and toilets, and the in-room power outlets include Japan-compatible Type A sockets, making it easy to charge your laptop or smartphone. The hotel is completely non-smoking, and security is excellent with card key access. They also offer triple rooms that can accommodate up to three people, making it perfect for girls’ trips!
At the 11th-floor restaurant Bonsalute, you can enjoy three types of breakfast: sandwiches, Korean-style breakfast, and American breakfast, plus a salad bar.
Check-out is until 12:00 noon, so you can relax and take your time in the morning.
8. Dormy Inn Seoul Gangnam
Dormy Inn, a business hotel famous for its large public baths, is only available outside Japan in Korea. Of course, this Dormy Inn also features an artificial hot spring public bath, which is relatively rare in Korea. There's also a healing spa and sauna, perfect for soothing your tired body.
The rooms are available in four types, starting with singles suitable for business use and twins. All rooms are equipped with Simmons beds, guaranteeing a comfortable sleep.
At Hatago, the restaurant on the first floor, you can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast with Japanese, Western, and Korean dishes. And from 9:00 PM, they serve Dormy Inn's specialty, the light soy sauce-based Yonaki Soba (late-night noodles), perfect for a late-night snack.
9. Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo
In March 2022, Daiwa Roynet Hotel made its debut in Korea! The hotel is called Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo. Like its Japanese branches, it features semi-separate bath and toilet facilities, and a wide desk perfect for spreading out a laptop and getting work done—highlight features of Daiwa Roynet Hotels that remain consistent in Korea.
The location is also very convenient, just a 3-minute walk from Gongdeok Station, which connects to the Airport Railroad A'REX, Subway Lines 5 and 6, and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.
10. Toyoko Inn Busan Station 1
Next, let’s introduce a hotel in Busan, Korea’s second-largest city. Toyoko Inn Busan Station 1 is just a 1-minute walk from KTX Busan Station, where trains from Seoul arrive and depart. It’s also about a 30-minute taxi ride (or 45 minutes by limousine bus) from Gimhae International Airport, the gateway to Busan.
This hotel has the same basic interior design as the Toyoko Inns in Japan, so you can relax and feel at home. Additionally, Toyoko Inn Busan Station 1 offers Japan’s same Type A outlets (110V), making it easy to use your laptop or charge your smartphone without needing an adapter.
11. Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan
In addition to Seoul, Korea also has a Nishitetsu (Nishi-Nippon Railroad) group hotel in Busan. Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan is located in the bustling Seomyeon area, the heart of Busan’s shopping and entertainment district. The stylish guest rooms are equipped with ondol (traditional Korean floor heating), so you can stay warm even in winter.
You’ll enjoy the fine, detailed service typical of Japanese hotels. There are Japanese staff and staff fluent in Japanese, so you can feel at ease if you need assistance. In addition to in-room showers, there’s also a large public bath available (for an additional fee) where you can relax and relieve fatigue.
The hotel is conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from the limousine bus stop from Gimhae International Airport and about an 8-minute walk from Seomyeon Station on the subway.
12. Toyoko Inn Daegu Dongseong-r
In Daegu, Korea's third-largest city, there’s also a Toyoko Inn. It’s just a 3-minute walk from Exit 13 of Banwoldang Station on Subway Lines 1 and 2, and about 25 minutes by car from Daegu International Airport. Its convenient location makes it perfect for strolling around Daegu city.
Of course, the front desk offers 24-hour Japanese language support, and breakfast is complimentary.
Nearby, there are tourist spots like Apsan Observatory, so it’s a great base not only for business but also for sightseeing.
Toyoko Inn plans to continue expanding in Korea, so there’s a lot to look forward to!
Korea Has Many Recommended Japanese Hotels
What did you think? Korea has many Japanese-affiliated hotels where Japanese is spoken, and even non-Japanese hotels where Japanese communication is possible. Be sure to check them out!
We wish you a wonderful trip to Korea!