Best Websites for Booking Hotels in Japan (2025): Agoda vs. Expedia vs. Rakuten

📍 Introduction

Planning your trip to Japan and wondering which hotel booking site offers the best deals? You're not alone. From major platforms like Agoda, Expedia, and Booking.com to local players like Rakuten Travel, choosing the right site can make a big difference in price, flexibility, and ease of use.

In this guide, we compare the top websites for booking hotels in Japan based on pricing strategies, user experience, and suitability for foreign travelers.

🏆 Quick Comparison Table

💴 Why Agoda Often Has the Lowest Price in Japan

Agoda frequently offers the cheapest hotel prices in Japan — and it’s not by accident. Here's why:

1. Part of the Expedia Group: Any hotel listed on Expedia is automatically syndicated to Agoda.
2. Commission-based discounts: Agoda sometimes gives up part of its commission as a discount to customers. This is why hotels may appear cheaper on Agoda than on their official websites or other platforms.
3. Room allotments: Agoda purchases some room inventory in bulk, giving it the right to set exclusive rates for those rooms.
4. Asia-first strategy: While Expedia is global, Agoda is heavily focused on Asia, especially Japan, with tailored pricing, support, and language options.

➡️ Bottom line: If you’re hunting for the lowest room rate, Agoda is almost always worth checking first.

🌐 Why Expedia Is Also a Solid Option

Expedia offers:

• Trustworthy booking and customer support
• Integration with Agoda (same group)
• Good UX, especially on desktop
• Point rewards system and package deals

💡 For those who want a more stable UI or plan to book flights and hotels together, Expedia is a dependable choice.

❌ Why Rakuten Travel May Not Be Ideal for Foreign Travelers

Rakuten Travel is often recommended by AI and travel forums, but in reality, it’s not designed for non-Japanese travelers:

• Complex “plans”: Instead of booking a room directly, you must choose a “stay plan,” which includes meals, times, and conditions. This is confusing for those unfamiliar with Japanese hospitality.
• Translation issues: Many listings are simply translated from Japanese and can be hard to interpret.
• Interface not intuitive: Even seasoned travelers find Rakuten’s booking flow clunky and unclear.

🟨 For Japanese-speaking domestic users, Rakuten is fine. For international visitors? Not so much.

📸 Real Price Comparison: Agoda vs. Expedia vs. Rakuten (Hakone Hotel Kajikaso, June 2025)

We searched for Hakone Hotel Kajikaso for a 1-night stay on June 1, 2025 for 2 adults, selecting a room type with a private open-air bath. Here are the prices we found:

Booking Site	Price (1 night, 2 adults)	Cancellation Policy	Screenshot
Agoda	¥62,687	Free cancellation
Expedia	¥92,054	Free cancellation
Rakuten Travel	¥119,054	Free cancellation

✅ As shown above, Agoda offers the lowest rate for the exact same room, followed by Expedia. Rakuten Travel is significantly more expensive despite offering the same accommodation.

📝 Note: Prices may fluctuate. Always confirm room type and cancellation policy before booking.

✅ Our Recommendation

If you value both price and usability, Agoda and Expedia together cover almost every base.

❓ FAQ

What is the best site to book hotels in Japan?

For most travelers, Agoda offers the lowest prices, while Expedia provides reliable support. Rakuten is better suited for Japanese locals.

Is Agoda safe to book hotels in Japan?

Yes. Agoda is a legitimate and widely-used platform, especially strong in Asia.

Why is Rakuten Travel hard to use?

It uses a unique “plan” system for booking, which bundles meals and services. The site is also not optimized for foreign travelers.

Is Booking.com good for Japan?

Yes, but it usually has higher prices and fewer local listings than Agoda or Rakuten.

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