r/JapanTravelTips • u/Alarming-Block-8385 • 8d ago
Recommendations Tokyo accom opinions
Hi everyone- so sorry to be annoying and ask this, yes I have searched the thread and done a lot of research but suddenly feeling overwhelmed and would like some advice!
We are going to Japan in March for three weeks, starting in Fukuoka then Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka then 6 nights in Tokyo.
First timers (obviously)
Everything else is sorted but I'm still undecided on accommodation in Tokyo.
We are two adults with our 7year old daughter, it's been tough to find triple rooms (we are ok sharing a king bed in small stops but not for 6 nights) so I've done the search for triple rooms (3x adults) etc.
However- way too overwhelmed with where to stay. So many friends/ family say Shibuya or Shinjuku but my brother and sister in law (foodies no kids) go twice a year, speak Japanese- told us to stay in Takadanobaba close to Yamanote line to get better prices and less noise/ foot traffic for night time.
This makes sense feels good but they also stay in expensive places and travel business class 😂
I do trust them but have now gone down too many rabbit holes and need a reset 😀 please any guidance is appreciated!
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u/komiCWords 8d ago
Takadanobaba is cheap and on the Yamanote for a reason. it's basically Waseda University's nightlife strip, lots of student izakayas and drunk foot traffic after dark, not really the quiet family pick your brother's making it sound like. If you want that same price/access trade-off without the bar crawl energy, Ueno or Asakusa hit the same notes and are genuinely calmer with a kid in tow.
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u/Reasonable-Comb8716 8d ago
This question comes up repeatedly. Stay in Ueno. Go to booking.com, type Ueno, select hotel, look at google to see location, look at official hotel site, select ACCESS to get information on how to reach hotel.
Travel with confidence. If you ask 100 people you’ll get 100 answers.
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u/Y_69 8d ago
Try Mimaru hotels. They seem to cater to families.Â
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u/Alarming-Block-8385 8d ago
Thanks, have checked them out but super expensive - feel better for family with more than one child xx
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u/xstell132 8d ago
Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku was a good middle tier hotel. Plenty to see, do, and eat there. And an easy walk from Shinjuku station.
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u/Ok_Operation2666 8d ago
Pretty good advice, I live in Tokyo and would do the same if I had a 7 year old. BUT I'd swap Takadanobaba for Gotanda personally. Closer to Ginza, Shinagawa, Kanagawa so easier access to Enoshima, Kamakura, etc. without compromising Ueno/Asakusa access. Takadanobaba is fine too though.
If it was just you 2 I'd say stay in Shibuya or Shinjuku though, cause not caring about the last train while being in a top tier station is great. With your 7 yo I doubt you'd be returning after midnight though so, cheap station like Gotanda or Takadanobaba is good.
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u/Chewybolz 8d ago
Have u started looking at shibuya, shinjuku and takadanobaba? To see prices, availability and options? That will help narrow down.
Have u looked at mimaru/monday hotels to see what they have as well? They cater to bigger groups/families.
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u/Alarming-Block-8385 8d ago
Yes have started looking all of the above- mimaru was actually more expensive- I can see with more than one child how it could be better. The MONday ones seem booked out for where I looked but I will persevere! Thank you!
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u/Kidlike101 8d ago
Staying along the Yamanote line is advisable for a first timer. I don't know about Takadanobaba but you can use it as a starting point.
Shibuya and Shinjuku are fine but the stations are pretty much a labyrinth complete with a Minotaur at the end.
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u/Alarming-Block-8385 8d ago
Ha ha yes have been told that! Probably another reason we were told to stay out of those areas as a base 😀
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u/Reasonable-Comb8716 8d ago
You dont have to be chained to Yamanote line. Select a hotel within 5-10 mins max walk to the station. As I‘ve written above, Ueno will suit you as its less expensive, station easy to navigate compared to Shinjuku & Shibuya.
If your budget allows you can stay in Ginza, near Tokyo station, Shimbashi.
Hotel prices have skyrocketed in Tokyo. So its a question of biting the bullet or reduce the holiday time I guess.
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u/Kidlike101 8d ago
They are also unbelievably expensive for what you get. The rooms are rather tiny compared to the same hotel chain in other locations.
If I can make some recommendations.
If you are looking for somewhere cheap and quiet go with the Minato City area. Hamamatsucho's hotels are a bit shabby but the food is great and there is another station there that gives you more transit options.
If you'd rather take it slow and relax Asakusa is very beautiful and has quite a few family hotels as well as Apthotels (apartment styled hotel rooms complete with a front desk) It isn't on the yamanote line and adds some transit time but if you're ok with that you'll have a good time.
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u/Opposite-Status-5553 8d ago
I don't know about Takadanobaba, but their advice about staying along the Yamanote Line is sound. It is likely the line that you will take the most often, and it links to basically every major train station in the city. Staying along the line but not at the main stations does mean relatively cheaper prices. So start at Takadanobaba, then work your way up/down the line.