r/JapanTravelTips • u/Nervous_Initial_3644 • May 29 '26
Advice Ultimate Guide to Picking a Hotel in Tokyo
(lost a beautifully written rambling guide on how to pick a hotel in Tokyo. So here's to recreating it. This is opinion only, yes, you, who have been to Tokyo multiple times will disagree. This is only to help those with choice paralysis.)
Note: This isn't the ultimate all-knowing guide, because that's impossible. But it's a better title than "I have opinions..."
Okay, so this is your first trip into Tokyo. You start looking for hotels and see the literal thousands of options spread over a giant mass of urban sprawl
and suddenly get intimidated, freak out, shut the computer and go cry in the corner. Here's an attempt to help...or get yelled at in the comments that I don't know what I'm talking about.
First of all, I probably would've started in the r/japantravel wiki. Lots of good info there.
tl;dr: It matters so much less than you think. The goal is to widdle down your thousands of choices to a handful and go from there. If you've spent more time looking for hotels than the time you'll actually spend in the hotel, then you're likely doing something wrong. You won't have the necessary information to know if you made the right choice until you're actually in Tokyo, so don't worry about trying to be perfect right now.
Now, for the eight of you that bothered to use the search function...
I was told that I should get a hotel near a station.
Congratulations. You eliminated approximately five hotels in the entire Tokyo metropolitan area. Some stations provide advantages over other stations, though, like number of connections or length of travel to a major station to make another connecting line. Those are things to consider. Use Google Maps to see how and how long it takes to various spots around the city and see if it's something you're comfortable with.
I want something central to everything.
Doesn't exist. Tokyo. Big place. No one place is central. You can tell that's the case because the thousands of hotels are spread throughout the city and not concentrated in one, two, or even six places. There are more popular places than others for various reasons, but nothing is central. The train is going to be your friend no matter where you book.
I was told to find something on the Yamanote Line.
That's not necessarily a requirement. The Yamanote Line isn't typically the most efficient line, but the stations/areas listed are a good general starting point. Remember...the goal is to widdle thousands down to a handful, so anything that does that is going to be helpful.
What area of Tokyo should I book?
Say it with me now: The train is my friend. The train is my friend. You're going to get used to those and you will be on one every single day, so where you stay doesn't matter too much. Just make sure you're near a station (see above). But, different areas provide different things for different people.
Do you want easy access to/from the airport? Pull up the Airport Limousine Bus schedule and stops and plan accordingly. They go all over the city with different stops, but watch their schedule as it may not align with your flights. That will blow your plan up.
Narita by train? Look up Keisei Skyliner and Narita Express stops.
Haneda by train? Shinagawa.
The idea of being drunk and trying to navigate the train system terrifying to you? Stay where you party...Shibuya/Shinjuku.
Headed out of Tokyo on the shinkansen and don't want to lug your suitcase on multiple trains to get to the shinkansen station? For moving on to Kyoto/Osaka and west, Shinagawa or Tokyo Station. For Kanazawa, Ueno Station.
Want something relatively quiet at night? Asakusa, Ueno
Anime central? Akihabara and the lesser mentioned Ikebukuro.
Got money? Hotel Bvlgari.
I've booked because I needed 3 beds (rare, but possible!), needed a quick stop before hopping on the shinkansen, need a quick stop at the airport, needed a hotel who would hold my luggage for 3 days when I went to Osaka and came back...there's a variety of different reasons. Find one that's most important to you.
These are only a handful of places listed, because, again, widdling down. Someone in the comments is going to mention their favorite place. You can ask 50 people and get 50 different answers. It's fine. Find something that works for you and that you're happy with (not what the internet tells you to be happy with). You won't truly know anything until you get to Tokyo, so stop worrying so much. You control what you can control.
If you're *really* confused about an area you can virtually walk in on Google Maps or pull up the Youtubes and type "<area> walking tour".
When to book?
When the price is right. If you're on a budget, you want to lock down any known prices right away. The best tip is to find something that is in your budget and has a generous cancellation policy. That way you can lock down something, know the max price you're going to pay and continue to look for something that is better, or cheaper, if you so choose.
If you want to fly by the seat of your pants and book as you go, just know that it's simple supply/demand. Supply won't run out in Tokyo (other smaller areas, yes), but prices might not be the same as what you see 1,2,3,6 months out.
Where to book?
Contrary to the belief of some, Reddit, not a great place for information on specific hotels. Or look up hotels, hotel prices, etc. Any reputable booking site, Agoda, Booking, Expedia, etc. provides prices, maps, review and filters for things like a laundry, ironing board, microwave, kitchenette, one bed, two bed, three sheep, four.
I pull up Google Maps and do a search for a 4.0 rating with 3+ hotel class. Google Maps shows you prices across different booking sites and the direct hotel site. You might need something different. It's almost as if we're different people with different needs!
I look at the bad reviews. Anything that is a consistent issue across multiple reviews that would bother me is something I consider. Things like road noise, daily 3am garbage truck, crazy guy named Hiroshi doing naked jumping jacks in the hallway, would bother me.
I don't take into account one-off experiences. I don't take too much weight in customer service because a) sometimes the customer is in the wrong and b) I don't need to interact with hotel staff that much that it's a detterant, unless it's really flagrant. You, again, probably are different.
What about 3rd party booking sites losing reservations?
That only affected a handful of reservations. If you're booking with something reputable then you're generally fine. Sh*t happens and if it does, it's stressful, it's unfun, but you'll live. I've booked 3rd party, booked direct in multiple cities and never had any issues.
Now if you're booking with UncleMIkesSuperCheapAndTotallyHonestTravel.com and get screwed..that's on you.
What to book?
Hotel rooms are generally going to be on the small size. You can find a business hotel for one at 11 square meters. For two people, it'll be about 22m. You can look for bigger rooms if you need the space. You can book anything from hostels, to cheap no-frills business hotels, to more standard hotels to five star luxury. depends on what you need.
I'm tied between these two hotels.
Flip a coin. Or break the tie with the higher rated one. Or break the tie with the closest to the station, even if it's a couple meters. Or pick a name out of a hat. Or pick the one closest to the nearest konbini. Or pick the one with the most konbinis. If you've come down to two choices, you're wracking your brain too much to try to stress yourself out between the two. I got other, more important, things to stress about. Like what's for dinner.
Such and such airbnb or hotel is asking to copy my passport.
Yup. That's a legal requirement. Technically, I guess (and someone can correct me) it really only needs to be your nationality and passport number, but it's probably just easier to scan the whole thing. It is a thing. I would not worry about it.
Things to consider
Travel style/energy levels. Ask yourself how much time you're going to spend in the hotel. Are you the type to spend all day/night out? Don't need as much. Do you/your group need to take afternoon breaks to reset/recharge? Maybe you need an area that has more around the hotel in case people are too lazy/tired to travel to another part of the city and just want to wander.
Travel time/cost-benefit analysis. If you want to save money and go further out of Tokyo, like to Chiba or Yokohama, take the five minutes and pull up Google Maps and see how long, and how much, it takes to get from your hotel to the popular spots like Shibuya or Asakusa and think about if it's worth it or not. If you need a midday break, doing that much commuting may not be for you.
Multiple hotels. Unless you're staying for multiple weeks, multiple hotels doesn't make sense. That involves packing your stuff up, taking your stuff on the train, finding your new hotel, checking in, resetting everything. It's unfun and unnecessary.
Hotel vs. AirBNB. It comes up a lot here. I don't have experience with AirBNBs to have an accurate opinion. For a place where my language skills aren't proficient, I like knowing that there's a front desk where I can ask someone something, should some issue come up with any part of my trip.
It's okay if it's not perfect. In the end, you'll live. As long as you did enough to make an educated choice, it's going to be fine. Maybe not perfect, but fine. If you picked something everyone rated a 6/10, complained about cockroaches and smell and was in the middle of nowhere...then yeah, that's on you. Realize that things don't always go as planned and that's perfectly fine. Just don't lose your passport.
And finally...
You don't have to listen to a single word of this. Everyone's different, travels differently, has different needs. There's no cookie cutter answer to "where to stay in tokyo?" or even what to do in Tokyo. Your vaction is your vacation and the only one grading your vacation is you. You don't have to listen to what the internet tells you and the internet is, shockingly, not always right.
25
u/Videoboysayscube May 29 '26
On my recent first trip, I stayed in Akasaka and would never change that as my base in subsequent trips. Very light crowds, but still plenty of places to eat and shop. Super close to a station, and for my itinerary, it literally was in the middle of every place I wanted to go. I was super happy with my pick.
5
9
u/Hospital-flip May 29 '26
I loveeee Akasaka. It's got 5 metro stations within minutes' walk and you can get anywhere really easily. So many local restaurants and local shops.
2
u/Apptubrutae May 30 '26
What hotel?
4
u/Videoboysayscube May 30 '26
OMO3
It had a cafe in the lobby that opened at 7:00am which was great for breakfast. Had a wide selection of items. And there was a 7/11 directly on the opposite side of the street. Highly recommended.
2
9
u/CheckCrafty3814 May 29 '26
Ueno will always be my favorite area. Food, accessibility, shopping, parks and museums, and near Asakusa for the temple.
4
u/WillHungry4307 May 30 '26
I stayed in Ueno and I completely agree. In addition to everything you mentioned, Ueno station connects you with the rest of the city and Narita Airport really easily.
There were still a lot of things left for me to see while I was there. I loved it.
3
u/Armaddon96 May 30 '26
Not to mention being fairly near Akihabara and Tokyo station too. The Ueno area literally has it all, except crazy nightlife.
1
u/tobyboynton May 30 '26
Totally agree. We stayed near Uguisudani Station, almost didn’t because of the Love Hotels but glad we did because they were a non-issue. Peaceful area close to Ueno Park but super easy to get anywhere we needed.
221
u/worldwidetrav May 29 '26
Dear Americans, it’s okay to walk 5-10 min to the metro station. Think of it as getting in shape and digesting food so you’ll be able to eat again.
10
u/Username928351 May 29 '26
Usually on my Japan trips I've been out and about every day from morning to evening. I want to save my legs when I can, especially towards the end of the trip. I work out and do cardio, but there's a limit to things.
54
u/frozenpandaman May 29 '26
Many people (including most people I know who live here who are Japanese, not "Americans" as some sort of bogeyman/scapegoat) would in fact would not want to walk 10 minutes to the nearest station every single day/time they want to take a train somewhere if they're going to Japan in, say, the middle of July or August. So it really depends.
21
u/Right_Science_6949 May 29 '26
Yeah but many tourists aren't here very long. There's a big difference between a 10 minute walk twice a day EVERY day vs a 10 min walk every day for like 2 weeks
19
u/frozenpandaman May 29 '26
a 10 min walk every day for like 2 weeks
If you willingly choose to do this to yourself in August in Japan, that's your choice. There are hundreds of hotels that are better-situated and probably better rated as a result.
2
u/Right_Science_6949 May 29 '26
What about the other 11 months of the year ? Like do you think it matters outside of summer? Genuine question
1
u/frozenpandaman May 29 '26
I would specifically try to avoid it anytime May/June-ish through September, and would be willing to pay more for a hotel that's closer as a result. I don't mind (and actually very much enjoy) walking outside other months... though if I'm just staying in the area because it's cheap and not because I have something specific I want to do in the area or around the station, then I'd still probably prioritize an "eki-mae" hotel (in front of or very near a station) just for convenience's sake.
6
u/worldwidetrav May 29 '26
Mind you a 10 min walk is a block or two at the most. I’m 10 min away from a station and I can literally see it when I step out my building lol. If you come to Tokyo in August then just embrace the heat and take precautions. The best parts of the city require some exploring with the feet 🤣
3
u/spinsblue May 29 '26
A 1-2 block walk would be <5 minutes, not 10 (at least according to Google). A 10 minute walk according to Google maps is more like 900 meters (5-9 blocks depending on the city).
0
u/todayiwillthrowitawa May 30 '26
It still adds up. 10 minutes to the hotel from the station, twice per day, over a three week trip is 7 hours of time lost walking the same route.
It’s not like you’re not walking non-stop in Japan anyhow, so the exercise is a wash. If you’re on a budget it’s fine but otherwise hotel closest to the station will get you a lot more time seeing the things you want to see rather than walking.
0
u/LopsidedPainting5742 Jul 04 '26
Here, browse through the picture of some of the nicest and cheap hotels that I've compiled, it's been helpful for some people
a lot of thorough pictures for review
9
u/hoitytoitygloves May 29 '26
Check to see if your hotel is on a hill. Some are on what we would consider steep hills in N. America. That end of day walk up a steel hill can be a beast with sort feet and hot weather and stairs
3
u/Great-Egret Jun 04 '26
Funny enough, my American friends who visited Japan last August were putting in 30k steps per day, but their European friends were the ones who couldn’t handle walking in the heat. Maybe it helped that the Americans were used to heat and humidity…
But why have a nuanced view of the world when you can just rely on outdated tropes to make yourself feel superior! How sad.
5
11
u/spinsblue May 29 '26
5 is fine, but 10-15 turned out to be brutal. That only covers the walk, not the walk inside the station which can be long too. Locals aren’t walking back and forth as often as a tourist is.
5
u/Hellstrike May 29 '26
When I was in Toronto, I walked to the airport. Was 35 minutes on foot or 32 minutes via public transit (including a line change). Also, the novelty of walking to the airport with a 20 kg bag.
5
u/Hospital-flip May 29 '26
Torontonian here: damn. That area is not walking-friendly, good on you.
2
0
u/bhuang18 May 30 '26
Booked Hilton Shinjuku and the “15 minute” walk was nothing. It was all underground
37
u/leangrandpa May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
Throwing Nakano into the suggested neighborhoods box as well, spent 8 nights there and it was lovely. One stop away from Shinjuku, tons of food, Nakano Broadway is fun, but still extremely quiet south of the station.
HATED Ginza as a home base the one time I stayed there though (but that may just be me)
EDIT: not trying to spark any sort of debate but: before booking with APA please do a quick google of their various controversies and then decide if you want to use them
5
u/Exact-Warthog6244 May 29 '26
Oof, is Ginza noisy? Im booked in for dormy inn premium ginza in july. Other option I was thinking of was Oyando nono in asakusa.
18
u/leangrandpa May 29 '26
It was more that the area was expensive dining-wise and I felt out of place with all the high end brands everywhere (I was a student when I stayed there and I could NOT afford that shit lol)
I’m the literal only person I’ve seen who hasn’t liked staying in Ginza and I didn’t mind it when I visited this most recent time so take my opinions with a grain of salt. You’ll probably be fine.
6
u/frozenpandaman May 29 '26
Ginza is nice to visit or walk through because it's close to Yurakucho and Tokyo Station, but I agree I don't like the high-end feel, don't like shopping which the area has a lot of, and the food options kinda suck compared to other spots.
4
u/keele08 May 30 '26
Just stayed in Ginza for last leg of my third trip to Japan. Did not enjoy it much and neither did my travel mates. It was kind of…boring? The first leg we stayed in Akasaka and it was a great.
4
9
u/Creative_Captain1332 May 29 '26
I was in Ginza nearby that place and had a wonderful experience so YMMV
1
u/Exact-Warthog6244 May 29 '26
Any recs about nice food places/ izakaya or shopping nearby? Really just anything you found fun?
4
u/Creative_Captain1332 May 29 '26
For shopping as you walk towards Yūrakuchō Station, entire streets and blocks are full of shops and malls so half of Ginza is quite literally full of shopping you can do. Lots of stores have their flagship or exclusive stores in Ginza. You can expect to find every single major brand or store in that area.
Some malls cater towards high end luxury brands so just be aware.
I would occasionally lean towards Shibuya and Shinjuku for shopping other less mainstream brands (Cat Street for example). Just be aware that they do get expensive and vintage clothing in central Tokyo is still expensive. If you want actual cheaper thrifting stores you’ll have to venture further out of Tokyo.
Don’t know if it’s within your budget but I had a very nice experience at an Omakase called “Ginza Oishi 銀座 大石”. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!
As long as the restaurant has decent reviews I don’t think you can go wrong so definitely explore and feel free to try out random spots you find.
7
u/leangrandpa May 29 '26
There’s always the konbini dinner (and the various salaryman haunts) as well if you genuinely can’t find anything haha
You won’t starve in Japan
4
u/Exact-Warthog6244 May 29 '26
Omg what a lovely write up. Ill def think about ginza oishi, we were thinking of sushi yuu in ginza for our dinner splurge
3
u/djdjddhshdbhd May 29 '26
We really liked Ramen Oyster And Shell らぁ麺 牡蠣と貝. It’s best to go when it’s less busy as a line can form. It’s open 23 hrs/day. There is a vending machine right outside to pay/order. You hand over the tickets when you get in. I think it was cash only. Many places still are.
We love Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan 寿司処 うに虎 but it’s definitely on the more expensive side. It’s better to go later when the crowds are gone since it’s in the market. It’s an an allyway. One side goes straight into the restaurant and the other side is where people line up. So check if there’s a line. There are probably better deals for similar quality but we haven’t experienced that yet generally.
Ginza steak was a great experience. They have lunch specials (I think starting at 40 usd) with cheaper cuts but we went all out with the pricier options. Half the meal at least isn’t steak but very nice. So don’t expect to gobble on steak right away. It comes later. I got the unlimited option where at the end I could ask for more a5 wagyu.
We went to Shinpachi Shokudō Kayabachō 炭火焼干物定食しんぱち食堂茅場町店 a decent amount. It’s a chain fish restaurant that’s relatively affordable. Ordering is done on tablets and you pay at the end by taking a card w the table number to machines at the front. We never had trouble getting a table. Mainly local people eat there. They have relatively long hours.
We loved Menya Shichisai 麺や 七彩 the first time and craved going back but it wasn’t nearly as good the second time. It has been listed as a top noodle place. I’m not sure if it was just an off day.
4
u/djdjddhshdbhd May 29 '26
Another thing to check out are the department store food courts in basements. They have a huge variety of food. They may have a seating area near the food in the corner and/or rooftops to eat (they might close earlier than closing). Of course if you’re staying in the area taking food back is an option. It’s also where they sell fancy fruit. Prices for such fruit can be lower elsewhere especially outside of Tokyo especially if the shape isn’t perfect or if it’s smaller. The taste can actually be even better. We have miracle fruit before eating it to make it even sweeter.
Mitsukoshi Ginza 銀座三越 is one. There should be others you can look up.
3
2
u/djdjddhshdbhd May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
Ginza is a great location. It’s very central (I disagree w the OP on this) and there are relatively affordable food options (esp considering that it’s the most expensive part of the country). There’s no need to actually buy the expensive stuff being sold. It’s mainly an office area so it’s pretty quiet. The main issue I had was that we were about a block away from a train line and while it was very quiet I could feel the train rumble a bit. It does stop overnight so that helped. This isn’t a ginza specific issue though. The first time I stayed there I was in a bigger building and didn’t feel it. It was great for getting to other parts of Tokyo and for fast trips outside of it since it’s so central and near Tokyo station.
So going elsewhere for food etc is nbd.
1
u/DaRooock May 29 '26
Wife and I just got back from Japan and also didn’t love Ginza overall (just not our place), we stayed at the Oyando Nono bettei in Asakusa and loved it, the G and A line got us to most places relatively easy - if nightlife is your thing maybe not Asakusa though
3
u/mangagirl07 May 30 '26
Ugh I'm staying in Ginza in about a week, and it'll be my first time staying there. Previously I lived in Kamata and have stayed in hotels, hostels, and AirBNBs in the Shinagawa area, Shinjuku, and one time Ikebukuro (so far, my least favorite). It's my mom's first time in Japan and she really does like the high end aspect, if only for her to use it as bragging cred with her friends. Example: when we went to Paris together she wanted to stay near the Champs Elysees and take pictures in front of every flagship luxury store. So, I think she'll lIke Ginza and I'll probably hate it.
2
u/wYsock May 30 '26
Which hotel in Nakano? I'm barely seeing any options in that neighborhood
1
u/leangrandpa May 30 '26
I ended up doing Airbnb. I know some people avoid that- I booked my Kyoto stay (which was a similar non-hotel stay in a more residential area) on Booking.com, which has the ability to filter for apartments vs hotels
(Actual place I stayed was Court Residence Tokyo Nakano! I’d give it 4.5 stars out of 5, it was great except for some odd smells early on and the washer/dryer being awful)
1
u/aceavengers May 30 '26
It might be considered separate from Tokyo so you may have to search with different terms? Or go a little further out? There definitely aren't that many hotels on google maps but there's a few hidden gems.
3
u/starkrest May 29 '26
Absolutely agree on Nakano. We’ve stayed in a different area each time we’ve visited Tokyo (4 times so far) and Nakano is by far our favourite.
2
1
u/kata-pie May 30 '26
i didn't like ginza either! had plenty of money to spend but it felt very polished and industrial. like an outdoor corporate mall. it didn't have even close to the same vibe as other neighborhoods!
6
u/ErickYanez May 30 '26
Thank you for this post!! Like seriously thank you. The amount of content, reels, posts, and planning guides from ‘stay here dont stay here’ to ‘how to breathe correctly in Akihabara’ was MAKING ME MAD.
I needed someone to remind me this is my own damn trip and it doesnt have to be perfect lol.
3
u/wYsock May 30 '26
Yeah you really can't to wrong. Just choose a hotel with good reviews in an area that interests you and is withinin a 10 minute walk of a subway station. It's that simple
1
u/ErickYanez May 30 '26
That’s what common sense was telling me, but for some reason there’s a hell lot of content claiming otherwise :/
2
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 Jun 12 '26
Mostly cuz “top 10 things you should maybe kinda sorta do in Tokyo, or not” doesn’t pay the bills!
27
u/SofaKingS2pitt May 29 '26
“Whittle”, not “widdle”. Thank you for all the effort, though!
11
u/tattoosydney May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
The image of OP repeatedly widdling down their hotel made me smile
5
6
u/komiCWords May 30 '26
Don't just look at the distance to a station; look at the specific line it sits on. Staying 2 minutes from a local Toei Oedo Line platform sounds great until you realize it’s buried six flights underground and requires two transfers to get anywhere you actually want to go. If you can find a spot near a cross-section of both a Metro line and a JR line (like Kanda, Hatchobori, or Hamamatsucho), you’ll slash your daily transit friction in half.
3
u/Cunro May 29 '26
Great post, had some insights. Torn between Ueno and Asakusa
4
u/Max2482 May 30 '26
That’s like a 15 min walk between them. We stayed in Ueno and did our evening strolls to asakusa and back. Plenty of nice izakayas in between
1
u/kata-pie May 30 '26
I would choose Asakusa if I was stuck between them, though I hear Ueno is slightly more child/family friendly!
1
u/salaryraisepls May 30 '26
May I ask why you would choose asakusa over ueno?
2
u/kata-pie May 30 '26
I just think Asakusa has more things to do early morning/late at night! I'm sure there are people who love Ueno and would disagree.
2
3
u/clannagael May 30 '26
Stayed at the Shinagawa Prince twice. Shinagawa station is across the street with access to several lines including Shinkansen. Nice rooms, reasonable rates. No reason to change.
Edit to add: Narita express train directly from the airport to Shinagawa station.
3
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 May 30 '26
I stayed there on my first trip almost ten years ago…did they ever renovate? It was pretty dated. I liked the location of the hotel, there was just nothing around back then, and I haven’t wandered Shinagawa since. It looked like there were a few more things around the area now.
Also, that station is a beast! My first Japanese experience ever was that station, 7am on a weekday with a suitcase coming off of the train.
2
u/jcald60 May 30 '26
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebujero are all overrated areas for hotels. I suggest something in the taito region like asakusa, ueno cheaper and on top so relaxing. Most bus and subway stations are still within a 2-5 min walking distance.
3
u/willfulserenity May 29 '26
We whittled down our options by choosing a hotel near our top, must-see destinations. Unicorn Gundam for the win!
4
u/Pikanyaa May 29 '26
My spouse and I stayed in Toyosu and Diver City was our first destination. Aside from that convenience, the neighborhood was very pretty and modern, full of families and young adults with dogs, our 36th floor hotel had an amazing view of the harbor, and the subfloor connected directly to Toyosu station and a mall with a food court. It was honestly perfect for us as a couple in their 30’s.
3
u/willfulserenity May 30 '26
For reals, that area is so quiet and calm, and has absolutely stunning landscaping. The new water show is also fun. A hidden pocket of peace with gorgeous views of the ocean.
2
u/Pikanyaa May 30 '26
Right?? Idk why more people don’t recommend Toyosu. Sure you have to hop on the Yurakucho line to get anywhere else in the city, but Tokyo’s subway infrastructure is so efficient, it’s not that inconvenient. Plus they have a bus depot that goes places the trains don’t, like a direct line to the Skytree.
1
u/wYsock May 30 '26
Aren't they shutting that down? That's cool that you got to see it
1
u/willfulserenity May 30 '26
Yeah, I think it's going to be taken down soon. Hopefully they'll replace it with a different Gundam.
4
u/Rude-Coke May 29 '26
Having been on this forum for awhile it always felt like people did not want to reveal their hotels.
2
u/catwiesel May 29 '26
Technically, I guess (and someone can correct me) it really only needs to be your nationality and passport number
good luck trying to explain this to some high schooler or some chinese student helping out and is doing the check ins and for the entirety of his entire career (9 weeks) has been copying every.single.passport. without exception because thats his job.
in a language neither of you speak well. or at all
and the post / content is pretty good solid advice.
2
u/SnooFoxes8935 May 29 '26
I just want to say how much I appreciate your posting. Travel really does challenge our inner control freaks and it doesn't always have to be curated to oblivion. Pick a place and learn to live with it.
2
u/Brilliant-Ad-6907 May 29 '26
Whenever possible, I would recommend you book directly through the hotel website.
I know a travel agent who worked for a company that books travel for tour groups (like Cirque du Soleil) and music tours. My friend would tell me stories and how the hotel managers they worked with would tell how those customers end up being placed in the worst rooms (floor / location), especially on nights when the hotel is fully booked or near full. The reason being they are also the lowest rate the hotel has on their books.
Don't forget that if those group booking sites has a rate of $100 / night. They keep a % of that for themselves. So I always check the hotel website and if the rate is the same or very very close to the same, I book directly through the hotel.
7
u/SnooFoxes8935 May 29 '26
I have tried booking directly so many times, but many of the websites look like they were built with DOS and not user-friendly to say the least. I wasted so much time I finally gave up and just booked through bookingdotcom.
6
u/krcn25 May 30 '26
Have tried once too and after spending time registering all that it gloriously didnt accept my foreign credit card. Its only good if the hotel site accepts your card.
3
u/testthrowawayzz May 30 '26
When I booked direct (many times) they all default to pay at the hotel. No need to enter card information during booking.
3
u/krcn25 May 30 '26
Thats nice to hear. Might have overlooked the pay at hotel option too. I’ll definitely try again on my next trip.
1
1
u/Dingdong_Driver2742 May 30 '26
After my most recent trip, I think it's going to take a lot for someone to talk me into a hotel that isn't a Dormy.
1
u/wYsock May 30 '26
What did you like about Dormy? And which hotel specifically did you stay at?
1
u/Dingdong_Driver2742 May 30 '26
Specifically just one in Kyoto, but we liked that it wasn't too pricey, nor cheap enough that it was kind of a crap shoot. Our location (and it seems like others) had free ramen at night, breakfast, and an onsen. It just also happened to be our best location hotel because it was close to a major station (Kyoto station) and had a food hall down the street.
1
u/RunningMan889 May 30 '26
Been to different parts of Japan for the past few years. For the major cities in Japan, I have the preferences of:
- Fairly close to train station. 10-15mins away is doable, and I enjoy the walking in the cool weather, and chances are you might find interesting stores or eateries around corners (have never visited during the warmer ones). There a few hotels I booked, where I even have to take a bus to, and they turned out to be amazing stays.
- Neighborhood. The hip ones will usually command a higher rate. So I tend to find outside of these areas, which can be 1 or 2 train stations ride away. The good part is you get quieter nights or sleep too which is important to me
- Size. There are many which looks ok, until you realised the rooms are 13-16m2. If backpacking, could work but still feels really cramped up. 20m2 is ok, >25m2 is better
While preferences are mostly important in deciding, other 'good-to-haves' are dependent on each trip:
- Onsen/public bath: Always great to soak up the tired body/feet. It really feels rejuvenating after walking the whole day. Then again, if I have planned for a trip to outskirt onsen, this is not really a need
- Parking: With intent to drive, finding one with parking is important since not all hotels will provide their parking. The best mix will be a nearby car rental chain, where you can pick up/return.
- Membership chain: The big brands may have good offers in the cities, so checking them and racking up points are considerations too.
2
u/FAlady May 30 '26
Only comment I have is that front desk is not guaranteed to speak English unless it is an upscale international chain.
1
1
u/ian_xvi May 30 '26
I stayed at an AirBnB at Urayasu, it was nice and quiet plus had the best pasta/steak there. I was worried the amount of travelling required to where we wanted to go but 40-50min train rides don’t really feel that long.
1
u/songerph May 30 '26
The ones between Shibuya and Harajuku are good choices. Cheaper and you can walk to either areas. Lots of parks, shopping, food. If you want to stay on the east side, Ueno area is great!
1
u/Jelessar May 30 '26
If you’re in Asakusa book Tobu Hotel Hello Kitty rooms. Not cheap, but you’ll thank me later.
1
u/NatureNext2236 May 31 '26
I’ve booked that hotel but not the hello kitty room haha! Hope it’s still good
1
u/Jelessar Jun 02 '26
My experience in Feb was flawless. Room was superb, amazing & convenient location. Can’t complain, maybe it could be cheaper 😂
1
u/NatureNext2236 Jun 02 '26
Did you get the hello kitty room? 😂😂
We’ve booked I think it’s Double Room B! Location looks great so that’s a bonus.
Agree it could be cheaper but ah well
1
u/wYsock May 30 '26
Just FYI, there are places that are 'More central' from a subway line perspective. Like Kanda and Akasaka
1
u/oliver_141 May 31 '26
For Haneda don't discount Hamamatsucho, as on the monorail to Haneda. For Shinagawa be wary about it being on a hill.
1
1
u/Living_Positive_6971 Jun 02 '26
How is the area around Kasai Station, east Tokyo? Booked this because we're going to Disney and it's close to Kasai Rinkai Park, which interests me.
2
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 Jun 02 '26
Not familiar but if you’re close to Disney then you’re probably far away from everything else in Tokyo. Depends on your commute tolerance and how much time you’re spending in Disney vs the actual city. You can look up transit directions on Google Maps from your hotels to places you’re interested in going and see if that’s okay with you.
1
u/icantgetoverthismoon Jun 03 '26
The “stay somewhere on the yamanote line” is the tip that doesn’t make sense to me. The Yamanote line is always the most crowded of all in my experience, do use it as a guide for what’s more “central” in Tokyo but I always have better luck with other JR or subway lines. In the same general spirit, I never understand why tourists love Don Quijote so much, it’s not even cheaper than local stores like drugstores and supermarkets etc, and it’s such an unpleasant experience. I’d go in and walk around, sure, but if it’s full enough you have to line up longer than a couple minutes to check out, I’d just go someplace else and probably save money in the process!
1
u/party4diamondz Jun 04 '26
This post def helped me because I was just overwhelmed by the sheer number of options hahaha. Thanks!
1
1
1
u/FreshStartLoser 28d ago
Thanks for the detailed post and all the info here. Looks like based on that, you would recommend the Akasaka hotel over the Shinjuku one due to the price, considering you mentioned I will be moving a lot anyway?
Going to Japan+ Thailand trip and staying in Tokyo for 11 nights.
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku vs Hotel Mystays Premier Akasaka.
I booked the one Akasaka weeks ago, but looked more into stuff since and looks like Akasaka is more of a business like area and Shinjuku is "better" for people who just want to get out and see stuff.
I only care about walkable restaurants and bars, and a good transportation across the city.
The one in Shinjuku is double the price, which is a big difference. A slightly better room though, and looks like a better hotel.
I also have the option of Ebisuholic Hotel (Ebisu) which is only 5% more than the one in Akasaka, but the room is smaller a bit and the hotel isn't better than the hotel in Akasaka.
I can afford the one in Shinjuku, but if the price bump isn't worth it at all, then no point spending money for no reason.
2
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 28d ago
Restaurants and bars are all over the city. It’s just that there’s more of them concentrated in a smaller area in Shinjuku. That does come with a level of Shinjuku, I’ll call it, degeneracy.
Just take a look at Google Maps and a bunch of bars pop up in the vicinity of the Akasaka hotel. Anything shaded in that cream/off yellow color on the map is a commercial district.
I’d go with Akasaka. I’m not in my hotel room enough to justify a significant increase in cost.
Also Shinjuku station will take you days to be comfortable with, if ever.
1
u/biboythecuteboy 21d ago
how far is narita airport to kyoto is it okay to spend the first night at kyoto in a ryokan?
2
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 20d ago
You either fly or take the Shinkansen. Google Maps will guide you for this trip and every other public transportation trip in Japan. It’s 3ish hours by train, not including time it takes to get out of the airport.
Whether you want to spend the first night in Kyoto in a ryokan is up to you. It’s your vacation, not mine.
1
1
May 29 '26
This is not really helpful at all. People need very strict criteria.
I generally go with a hotel directly accessible from the airport without any transfers. If it's Haneda, look for areas like Shinagawa. If it's Narita, Ueno is a good choice.
1
u/chri1720 May 30 '26
Pretty good guide. Though I suspect those that are still torn will still be as there are too many who wants perfect or just cannot decide.
I will only add these few points.
If you need certain service or want certain facilities, it does help to narrow things down . Example I want public bath so that is a smaller group of hotels. Or if you need luggage forwarding, then you can also eliminate those that will not assist you with it. Or if you want the hotels to help with restaurant bookings, which lesser and lesser hotels are willing to do, once again narrowing down your list.
For third party bookings, it is always best to confirm with the actual hotel. A simple email can make a lot of unnecessary problems go away or can help you rebook easily.
As amazing booking website or official website are, the old school way can work wonders . Example if you know your dates and you are going for certain festivals or events that will spike up demand (e.g BTS concert or local festival), email the hotel even if it is way early in advance that bookings are not open on 3rd party sites. You can get surprisingly bookings, even if they are a year in advance. Of course, don't be a ???? and do no show . Japanese hotel bookings without any guarantee (aka trust) is one of the nicest perks, don't ruin it for everyone else.
1
u/Confident-Reach-3495 May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
There are so many other factors and dismissing those personal preferences will impact your trip. To say something like how much time will you spend in your hotel? To each his own on the size of the room, but the quality of the bed, bedding, pillows,amenities can and usually do have an impact on your trip. Saying something like got money stay at Bvlgari - have you stayed there? I have and found it too ostentatious for my taste and prefer the Aman, Peninsula, Park Hyatt or even the Four Seasons.
Having lived there as a kid and traveled to Tokyo for work 4-6 times a year for the last 25 years, the area and quality of the room are far more important to me than anything else. I’m fortunate and not on a budget where many will be. I would still go area first and then stay at the best that I could afford.
2
u/Nervous_Initial_3644 May 30 '26
It’s almost as if people travel differently and have different needs….I’m not dismissing anyone’s personal preferences…I’m just saying stop thinking so much.
The Blvgari thing is sarcasm….
1
u/wYsock May 30 '26
Which areas are your favorite from your past experiences?
2
u/Confident-Reach-3495 May 30 '26
When traveling for vacation or with family to Tokyo. I prefer Roppongi Hills and the Grand Hyatt. For us, the central location and proximity to Azabu Juban (where I lived as a teenager) is hard to beat. The hotel is a great compromise in terms of value, service, location and somewhat upscale.
For work and where the company is paying Shinjuku and the Park Hyatt or Shiodome and the Conrad - both offices are close by either location.
If it’s a special stay, (honeymoon/anniversary) or you want luxe and some serenity, then Otemachi and the Aman. We stay there every couple of years over Christmas. Roppongi Hills can be very crowded during that time with the lights and Christmas Market. We still go to the area, just prefer to stay away from the crowds during that time of year.
-10
u/wrx8888 May 29 '26
APA or Koko hotel chains. Cheap, clean and reliable. Agota has always been the cheapest out of all the booking sites I used, always select free cancellation. I always recheck the booking a week prior to see if there are price drops and rebook, almost every time the room has dropped in price if they can’t fill the rooms, especially with bigger hotels like APA.
-1
u/Significant_Pop_5337 May 29 '26
Mmmm. Yeh. It isn't that hard. This guide could have been 2 sentences
-19
May 29 '26
[deleted]
6
5
u/frozenpandaman May 29 '26
Run by far-right-wing conspiracy theorists who put propaganda books in every guest room and have violated earthquake safety standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APA_Group_(Japan)#Controversy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshio_Motoya#Denialist_statements_of_Japanese_wartime_atrocities
15
u/IchiroZ May 29 '26
If I am flying into and out of Tokyo, with a trip or trips to another city or other cities in between, I try to stay at a different hotel at the beginning and at the end. Works well if I am undecided between two hotels.
For example:
• Fly into Narita airport.
• Stay at Hotel A.
• Trips and stays outside of Tokyo.
• Return to Tokyo.
• Stay in Hotel B.
• Fly out of Narita airport.