Where to Stay in Tokyo

SUMMARY

1. Don't mistake on location or you'll have to waste a lot of your time on transportation
2. The best areas for tourists are SHINJUKU, SHIBUYA and GINZA
3. ASAKUSA can be a choice even though it's far from young area like Shinjuku and Shibuya
4. Choose a place close to JR Yamanote line or any subway line for an easy access to sites and airports
5. Choose somewhere INSIDE of Yamanote line circle. (except GINZA and Asakusa area) Stores and restaurants tend to close early there

HOW TO GET GOOD DEALS

tokyo travel

agoda.com gives the best deal for international website based on my research. Locals use Jalan or Rakuten Travel (I use Rakuten Travel) which usually offer the BEST deal but somehow prices sits very high in their English website. If you have a friend who can read Japanese, I recommend JAPANESE Jalan or Rakuten Teravel but if you don't, agoda is the best choice. 

HOTELS BY AREA

Check out our personal recommendations based on our countless business trips!

Different Types of Accommodations

hotel tokyo
  • 4- 5 star hotels (international luxury) Just same as in any other country, they have beautiful room, gym, and nice restaurants. As long as you're not budget conscious, it's the safest way to go. ¥18,000 - ¥60,000  
  • Business hotels  Reasonable, good location, but usually very small. It's designed for those frequent business travelers who crash after a long day of travel or work. ¥4,000-¥9,000
  • Ryokan Japanese traditional hotels usually in a hot spring area. Most of them have dinner and breakfast in a plan. I truly recommend to stay at least one night to experience the outrageous service with local cuisine.  ¥15,000 - ¥30,000
  • Minshuku Let's say it's a less fancy version of ryokan. It's family oriented, Japanese-bed and breakfasts. ¥4,000 - ¥7,000
  • Hostels The best way to save $$. People staying at hostels are not usually from Japan, so be cautious about belongings. ¥2,000-¥4,500
  • Love hotels It's a fun way to stay in Tokyo. It's a hotels that a couple go and do their business but you can also use it to spend a night or rest a few hours. ¥6,000 -¥18,000
  • Airbnb - It's starting to be very popular here in Tokyo recently. Just remember to check the nearest station. Many places are far from the main area or far from the station. Don't choose the place only has a bus stops.  

Note: Japanese hotels charge per person, not per room. If you book a room with one person and bring a friend with you, you will end up paying double.