Backpackers Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Choosing accommodation in the capital is daunting! So we’ve put together this guide to cheap hotels in Tokyo to help you find a good spot to rest, for less. Tokyo might be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but there's no shortage of budget hotels and other affordable accommodation for business travelers, families, couples, and backpackers alike. No matter what your budget or tastes are -- our list of top places to grab some shut-eye has your visit covered. In short: Our top hostel is Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge, our top hotel is Toggle Hotel Suidobashi, and our top capsule hotel is First Cabin Akasaka. Overview: Accommodation options in Tokyo Finding a place to rest your weary head is a necessity for any traveler. If you are on a budget, the side of the road looks more and more tempting. But, please, don’t go the way of the overly intoxicated office worker; there are plenty of accommodation options in Tokyo to suit your needs. How much to spend on accommodation in Tokyo Tokyo has the standard cheap accommodation -- hostels and Airbnbs -- that you’ll find the world over. But there are also the ones unique to Japan, such as capsule hotels, love hotels, and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). Expect to pay between and for a budget stay. At the lower end, expect shared facilities; the higher end of the budget spectrum should get you your own room with an ensuite. Which area in Tokyo is the best to stay in? First things first -- Tokyo is huge. Some neighborhoods will get you a better deal than others, and the farther you go from the center, the cheaper it will be. However, spending hours on the subway is probably not why you're here, so you may want to pay an extra or so more per night to be in a central location. Our top neighborhood picks? Stay in Asakusa to experience the traditional; Shinjuku to experience the nightlife; and Kōenji to experience the local. Alternatively, you can check which train lines are within easy walking distance. The JR Yamanote Line (Tokyo's loop line) is a great one, as is the JR Chūō-Sōbu Line (the central line). Most metro lines also provide easy connections. Pick up a Suica or Pasmo travel card as soon as you arrive, and the metropolis is your oyster. Still stuck? Our guide on where to stay takes a closer look at the pros and cons of staying in different parts of Tokyo. Keep in mind: If you choose somewhere out in the 'burbs, the room may be cheaper and the area less frantic. However, you might find yourself waiting for rush hour to end before you can comfortably get onto a train into the city in the morning (or back out in the evening). Hostels in Tokyo Some hostels can make or break your trip. Especially if you are stuck in a dorm with inconsiderate roommates. We're looking at you, people who turn on the light at 2 a.m. But there are lots of great things about hostels, like common areas for chatting and regular events. Tokyo has some uniquely designed hostels you can't find anywhere else. And in recent years, some more luxurious hostels have opened up. Before you book, make sure to check they have the services you require (and desire), such as no curfew, an equipped kitchen, ensuites, or other amenities. What makes hostels in Tokyo different? From personal experience, the folk who stay at Japanese hostels tend to be pretty chill. Plus, the cleanliness of the shared bathrooms tends to be better than average. Luckily for the female traveler, there is an abundance of female-only dormitories in Japan. Though, these rooms tend to be small (not great for those of us above average height). How much is one night? Dorms range from to , while private rooms can be or more. Plus, you can expect to pay even more if the room has an ensuite. Our recommendations for hostels in Tokyo Simply put, hostels are wallet-friendly choices that are a great way to meet other travelers. Here are a few of our favorite hostels in Tokyo. Sakura Hotel Jimbocho Highlights: Close to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Dome From per bed in a dorm room Booking.com or Tripadvisor As you might have noticed from the name, Sakura Hotel Jimbocho is technically a hotel. But with a choice of private, group, and dorm rooms, we’re listing it as a hostel. It’s right in the middle of Tokyo’s “book district”, 4 minutes from Shinjuku by train, and within walking distance of the Imperial Palace. Before you head out, you can tuck into the breakfast buffet. There are also Sakura Hotels/Hostels in Ikebukuro, Asakusa, and Hatagaya (near Shinjuku). Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge Highlights: Great cafe and terrace From per bed in a dorm room Booking.com or Tripadvisor In Asakusa, Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge is another good deal. Housed in what used to be a toy factory, the whole place has an industrial aesthetic vibe going, but it’s clean and pleasant enough. The bar lobby and café get good reviews as a place to unwind after a long day in the city. You can book a private room or stay in the dorm. Cheap hotels in Tokyo Cheap and budget hotels in Tokyo are decent places to stay. While you won’t get the sociableness of a hostel, attentiveness of a 4-star hotel, or experience of a capsule, you get what you pay for -- a bed. What makes cheap hotels in Tokyo different? You’ll find many budget hotels in Tokyo, but a lot are geared towards traveling business people. This means they aren’t flashy -- at all. It’s generally a slim bed in a narrow room with some questionable PPV channels on the TV. If you aren’t careful, the marketing of some “cheap hotels” means you may accidentally end up staying in a love hotel (not that there's anything wrong with that; it’s just a wildly different experience). How much is one night? Prices range from to . Generally, the cheaper ones are in less desirable or noisy areas, such as (somewhat gentrifying) red light district Kabukichō. You also pay more if breakfast is included. Our recommendations for cheap hotels in Tokyo We understand that budgets vary as widely as tastes in ramen, but we reckon these are fairly reasonable Tokyo hotel choices. Toggle Hotel Suidōbashi Highlights: Colorful loft rooms From per room Booking.com or Tripadvisor This colorful hotel is new on the block and doesn't skimp on vibrancy or swanky interiors. It has one of the most unique room types in Tokyo with loft beds and a comfortable lounge area. The hotel is in a convenient area, only a few minutes from Suidōbashi Station, which is on JR's central Chūō-Sōbu Line. It also features a chic café on the top floor. Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka Highlights: Spacious rooms From per room Booking.com or Tripadvisor You could also check into the swanky Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka. You will get a spacious room (by Tokyo standards), with double beds, loft beds, couches, a proper bath -- even access to a foot massage machine. A buffet breakfast is included. The family rooms, which sleep up to four (a rarity in Tokyo!), are good value if you’re traveling with a brood. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku Highlights: Breakfast with Godzilla From per room Booking.com or Tripadvisor If you're keen on an ultra-modern, snazzy hotel in the heart of Kabukichō, then this one's for you. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is central, classy, and cool to boot. This is the hotel favored by the area's most prominent resident, Godzilla himself. The hotel is situated above a cinema and restaurants, making entertainment and eating easy. Unfortunately, rates have gone up dramatically in recent years. Capsule hotels in Tokyo While not for everyone, Tokyo's capsule hotels have gained a kind of cult status among visitors to Japan. If you book a capsule hotel in Tokyo, bear in mind that you’ll have to store your luggage in a locker on the premises, or, if it’s too big, leave it near the front desk. Although capsule hotels were once designed to cater to the needs of businessmen on work trips, more and more capsule hotels now cater to tourists. Meaning there are fewer men-only capsule hotels and far more spacious capsules kitted out with outlets, safes, and sometimes even TVs. There's also a lot of crossover now between hostels and capsule hotels. How much is one night? Capsule hotels are surprisingly not the cheapest option on this list at between and a night. You may also find some at in low season. The high-end capsule hotels provide well-stocked communal spaces and -- if you are lucky -- a sauna, manga library, restaurant, and/or laundry services. Our recommendations If you’re happy to forego comfort and are all about compact, then you might want to book one of these options -- even if it's just to say you tried it. Here are a few recommendations. First Cabin Akasaka Highlights: Great area From per "cabin" Booking.com or Tripadvisor First Cabin Akakasa, with "rooms" starting around , is a cross between a capsule hotel and a normal hotel. Both men and women can stay, and you can choose a “Business cabin” or a “First-class cabin.” The rooms are compact, but much bigger than a standard capsule hotel -- so it feels more like a closet than a morgue. Akasaka has plenty of restaurants and is adjacent to the lively neighborhood of Roppongi. Pro tip: This place books up fast -- so reserve well ahead of your trip! Editor's note: Cabin "rooms" are not two-story like capsules, so you will have space to stand up; however, like a capsule hotel, the entrance is closed by a shade or an accordian screen -- enough for some privacy, but not an actual door. Tokyo love hotels Although not usually used for actual shut-eye, it is possible to simply sleep in love hotels. That said, at the price they are (they can run you about for an overnight stay), you'd do better in a capsule hotel, hostel, or even a cheap hotel. Also, there are cons: You can imagine the noise, the rambunctious local area, and don’t get us started on the cigarette smell. How much is one night? Love hotels have nightly and hourly rates, so it really depends on when and for how long you want to "sleep." Typically, daytime rates run around for two hours and one night will cost you anywhere from to . If you want the extras -- karaoke, hot tubs, massage chair, party package -- expect to pay more. For more info on the ins and outs of the love hotel scene, check out our dedicated guide to Tokyo love hotels. Ryokan in Tokyo If you're after a traditional Japanese inn experience -- but don't have the time or the money to leave Tokyo -- you can opt for a ryokan in Tokyo. A ryokan offers old-school Japanese accommodation with history and etiquette going back centuries. They are usually much smaller in scale than a hotel would be, and often family-run. They can cost more than a hotel would, but the experience of a night in a ryokan is like nothing else. Looking to stay further afield? Booking.com have a great selection of ryokan hotels across Japan. Remember, a ryokan generally means you won’t be sleeping on a bed but rather on a rolled-out futon on a tatami floor. Cheaper ryokans also have shared bathrooms; if that's not your thing, make sure to check the finer details. How much is one night? Prices range from to , depending on how many people per room and breakfast options. Unlike hotels, ryokan tend to charge per person rather than per room. However, the per-person price decreases when more people stay in the room, if that makes sense. Our recommendation Andon Ryokan Highlights: Rooftop with incredible views From per room Booking.com or Tripadvisor With incredible views of Tokyo Sky Tree on its rooftop, you get a lot for your money at Andon Ryokan. The dim lights, antique wares, and thoughtful design create an old-school Japanese ambiance that is hard to find in the modern, contemporary landscape of Tokyo. Airbnb accommodation and vacation rentals in Tokyo Airbnb offers travelers a number of options in Tokyo. Despite the regulatory changes of the last few years, Tokyo has an apartment rental to suit every possible type of traveler and every sort of budget. This sort of accommodation is very hands-off, and you may not even see your host face-to-face. Properties are often in apartment blocks and residential neighborhoods, so there will usually be noise curfews and an emphasis on keeping quiet. We've picked out our top Tokyo Airbnbs for value. What makes Airbnbs in Tokyo different? The passing of the minpaku homesharing law in 2017 made it more difficult for homeowners to register their properties as short-term vacation rentals. Protocols, inspections, and lengthy paperwork meant many owners just stopped renting out their properties…legally. All short-term rentals in Japan should have a registration number -- make sure to check before you book. How much is one night? The answer to this depends on what type of property you are looking for. If you are looking for a modest apartment for one to two people, expect to spend around . Flashy apartments will be doubled. An apartment with more than two rooms is hard to find in Tokyo and is generally quite expensive at around . Rule of thumb is to add for every bedroom you need. Remember, there are often extra fees -- cleaning, tax, etc. -- with Airbnbs and vacation rentals, so the prices shown are often not the final price. Ultra-cheapo accommodation options You could always spend the neon Tokyo night at an internet café, but because you can’t book in advance, you’re not guaranteed a “room”. Read this first, so you know what to expect. Then, check out our list of internet cafés. Alternatively, if you party hard and scorn those who need sleep (and showers), you could just roll into a karaoke box when you’re ready to turn in for the night, and sing till the sun comes up. There's also couch surfing (yeah, it's still a thing). Tips for booking budget accommodation The hard work is over -- you’ve found where you want to stay. However, there are other things to keep in mind when looking for the best deal. Take a look at our tips so you don’t get caught out. What sites should I use? Booking directly with the accommodation can offer you hidden deals and packages you may not find elsewhere, especially on a Japanese-language site (get a browser plug-in). However, this isn’t always the case, and it is better to shop around before making your final choice -- just remember to clear your browser's cache and cookies. When should I book? The busiest (and therefore, the most expensive) time in Japan is from mid-March to early May. This is due to the cherry blossom season at the start of spring and Golden Week, a succession of national holidays, at the end of April/early May. If this is your must-go season, book way in advance. Other times when national holidays line up -- including Obon in August, Silver Week in September, and end-of-year festivities -- are also pretty expensive and require pre-planning. Read our full guide on how to plan your perfect trip to Japan for more insight. Bonus: Find the cheapest ways of getting from Narita Airport and from Haneda Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo. This post was first published in 2015. Last updated in June 2024. Although we make every effort to be accurate, details may vary. Prices and ratings are intended only as a rough guideline and may differ significantly.

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