some place sill got long distance night bus.

if u like nature or country side...

shiretoko national park
rashidi and rebun island
akan national park
noboritbetsu

public transport is limited in these national park side. by tours or own driving (expensive to rent) if can.

otaru can be done on day trip from Sapporo by train. very close only.

some r advertise in booking.com, rakuten.com etc. some may only advertised in Japanese website.
no really cheap.
closed to main train station in the city,
come with the sauna, spa pool (depends on the hotel)
shared computer terminal, free wifi, the bed come with the tv, free toiletry (toothbrush, shaving cream etc).
open shared bathroom. no issue on cleanliness.
the 1 that I stayed only got guys but were serviced by the pretty reception lady.
some may provide free breakfast.
they may not have the proper luggage room...the luggage may be kept in the reception open space and locked using cable lock
in terms of socialising with other traveller, hostel environment is much better.

if u just want to try for curiousity, can also try love hotel like what some1 say here. manga café is another interesting place for short terms stay.

http://wanderlust.tripovo.com/places/i-bet...ee-these-photos

rakuten travel is another good site.
I prefer booking.com > agoda b'cos price is on net basis. what we is see is what we will pay.
other no so normal type of accommodation to consider in japan are capsule hotel, manga café and love hotel. can give it try for curiosity purpose....manga café & love hotel are not advertised in the hotel booking website.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2025.html

This post has been edited by adwan: Sep 28 2015, 09:22 AM

4 those without jr passes....
can try highway bus also. 2 compare the prices etc.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366.html

Cheaper but longer.

i tried the 1 from wakkanai to sapporo, night bus.
only got 10 pipus in that bus on that day.
so my seat can recline all the way to the back to sleep since nobody sitting at my back...
got on board toilet...they stop at midway for half an hour break but they don't wake up the passagers since all of us were asleep.
bus quite ok for me. but of course train is more comfortable. (faster/ can walk around cabin)
bus no really cheap also. 6K++ yen (night bus more expensive) if remember correctly..

different bus may have different experience, by the way.

This post has been edited by adwan: Oct 19 2015, 08:04 PM

most capsule hotel got male customers only. but may have pretty Japanese reception staff.

why not just buy the IIomio data plan SIM card.
Instead of pocket wifi.

info on page 1.
I brought it from 1 of the glossary shop in osaka.

Attached thumbnail(s)

this thread page 1

feel hotter than m'sia during day time (Osaka, Tokyo area)
saw japan pipu carried small towel around to wipe their sweats.

just based in the sell/ buy rate that is unfavorable to us when buy or sell foreign $$$ in any country.
won't wrong 1.

$ changer won't give us more 1. Always less.

This post has been edited by adwan: Nov 29 2015, 02:17 PM

compare to july 15...exact same spot i think

went to switzerland jungfrau b4.
it was not really that bad once we r there. just bring the winter clothing.

seriously I want 2 stay in love hotel at least once if got chance 2 go back Nippon

no so much of sex or condom thingy that i am interested at.
but to try out something different 4 curiosity purpose.
decoration and the operating process are completely different from the normal hotel that we stayed in.
remember some1 in k/ said that it is cheaper than normal hotel.