Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel

This is one of the best ways to experience a traditional Japanese ryokan for cheap. The wooden building was erected in 1920 and renovated in 2010, giving it the best of worlds both old and new.

There’s a Japanese garden with rocks from Mount Fuji, a pond, a bar and bunk beds (as one of the accommodation options). What more could you need? Did we mention the colourful staircase?

The place is clean and comfortable and gets good reviews. Rooms start at 2700 yen a night. There are mixed and gender-segregated dorms, twin, triple and double rooms.

The hostel is one minute from Iriya Station on the Hibiya line. Kids need to be 7 or older to stay – so it might not be the best bet for families.

Toco is the sister hostel of Nui.