Where to Stay & Best Hotels // Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the largest city in the world, and where you stay can greatly impact your time there. My husband and I have spent a collective 12 weeks in the city, and explored many of its central neighborhoods as we consider moving here. In this guide, I’ve combed through thousands of Tokyo’s hotels and narrowed them down to a few great properties, organized by neighborhood and budget.
The hotels selected below are all very highly related. They are almost all 8.5+ stars on Booking.com, and most of them are 9+ stars. When we select a hotel to stay, we almost only stay at 9+ stars, so these are all properties I considered (or would consider) when going to Tokyo.
The hotels listed here are listed as:
Luxury: 5-star
Upscale: 4-star
Mid-Range: 3-star
Budget: 1 or 2-star, or a hostel
How Expensive is Accommodation?
As you’ll see from the list, Tokyo is not super cheap, even at the budget end. In general, here is what you can expect to spend in Japan’s capital:
2-star hotel: ¥7,500 - ¥20,000 per night
3-star hotel: ¥20,000 - ¥30,000 per night
4-star hotel: ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 per night
5-star hotel: ¥50,000+ per night
Of course, these cost can go up or down based on the time of year and demand (eg. off-season might be cheaper), and you can always try to find discounts on Booking.com or on the hotel website directly. These prices are also based on a standard room at this level — each hotel can offer deluxe rooms or rooms with a view that may be (well) outside these price ranges.
Temper your expectations, though. Most Tokyo hotel rooms are very small (we’re talking the bed touches multiple walls), and are very hard, with strangely small pillows. Almost every hotel I have ever stayed in Tokyo (and Japan, really) is this way. Many “double beds” are also two twin beds pushed together, so there is a seam in the middle. But the rooms tend to be clean, with nice, Toto toilets (which are life-changing).
Suggestions
Here is a tl;dr of where to stay, based on travel style and budget.
Luxury Traveler: I don’t think you can miss at any of the luxury hotels in Tokyo. But the most exceptional are probably The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Aman Tokyo, and Palace Hotel Tokyo. The Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is also a nice boutique option.
Value-Focused: If you love luxury but don’t want to pay 5* prices, consider HOTELみなと-MINATO-, or Oakwood Premier Tokyo.
Budget Traveler: If you’re on a budget, try The Millennials Shibuya. A fun, Tokyo-style stay in a capsule hotel.
Traveling with Friends: Book the Mimaru hotel (which offers a lot of space, a kitchenette, and private bedrooms) in Akasaka, as it’s near a large transport hub, and has lots of restaurants nearby.
Families: If you’re a family, I would also recommend you book the Akasaka Mimaru, as they cater to families and have amenities for babies (they even have Pokémon Rooms).
Looking for a retreat: If you’re looking for a spa vacation, I would definitely choose Aman Tokyo or Hoshinoya Tokyo.
Looking for the best view: The best view in Tokyo is offered by The Prince Park Tower (5*). Just make sure you get a room with Club Lounge Access. It’s not in one of the neighborhoods I listed below, but it’s an amazing hotel.
If this list isn’t enough, here are the top neighborhoods in Tokyo, with hotels that might fit your needs.
Shinjuku: neon lights and bustling entertainment
Shinjuku is the modern Tokyo Blade Runner was probably based on—a futuristic city of neon lights, towering skyscrapers, noisy pachinko parlors, and busy train stations. This is a bustling area, and you will probably find yourself here at some point in your Tokyo experience, even if you don’t stay here.
Pros:
Shinjuku Station is one of the world’s busiest train stations, so transportation here is convenient.
Vibrant nightlife and entertainment options.
Proximity to green spaces, including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Cons:
Can be noisy at night due to the nightlife.
Popular shopping makes the area fairly crowded, especially during peak hours.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: Park Hyatt Tokyo
One of the best known hotels in Tokyo, the Park Hyatt Tokyo doesn’t miss. One guest wrote: “A dream place where everything is perfect.” The hotel has spacious rooms with panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline, including iconic landmarks such as Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and Shinjuku skyline, and if your room doesn’t have what you want, the 52nd-floor New York Grill does. The hotel also has a spa, a library, and a currency exchange service.
Upscale: JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
People love the location of JR Kyushu Hotel, being near Shinjuku station but in a quieter area, on a side street. They also rate the breakfast and dinner very highly.
Mid: Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku
The Oakwood Apartments throughout Tokyo offer spacious and fully furnished apartments with separate living and sleeping areas. This is a great choice for a family, large group of friends, or people staying long-term in Tokyo. We stayed in an Oakwood serviced apartment for a month, and I had a friend who stayed in an Oakwood serviced apartment for years — they’re great.
Budget: Sakura Cross Hotel Shinjuku East Annex
The Sakura Cross Hotel offers a deluxe family room that can sleep 6. It looks very comfortable and cozy, and is in a quieter, more family-friendly area of Shinjuku. A great option for families traveling together.
Shibuya: iconic crossing & culture hub
A visit to Shibuya, an area known for its vibrant atmosphere, fashion, and entertainment, is a must while in Tokyo. This area is one of the most popular areas of Tokyo, and has something for everyone, from tourists to locals.
Pros:
A melting pot of different cultures, locals and tourists.
Proximity to many attractions like Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue.
Wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Cons:
Gets crowded, especially in peak tourist season or during peak hours.
Expensive, as it’s a popular tourist and shopping destination.
Accommodation options might be smaller and more expensive.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park
Luxury boutique hotel brand TRUNK opened their third property in autumn 2023, and it offers a unique blend of modern luxury, sustainability, and cultural immersion. The rooftop infinity pool, bar, and all-day dining restaurant offer 360 views of Yoyogi Park, and is an “urban recharge,” focused on personal relaxation in the heart of Shibuya.
Upscale: Shibuya Stream Hotel
The creator residences at Shibuya Stream Hotel incorporate vintage and modern influences to create a wonderful space for creators to stay in. They are also very close to Shibuya Station, and therefore the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
Mid: Tokyu Stay Shibuya
This comfortable hotel offers a Japanese- or Western-style breakfast that you warm yourself and eat in your room. It is a little further from the busiest part of Shibuya, which offers a bit more quiet, and rooms start at 20m².
Budget: The Millennials Shibuya
If you’re looking for a fun, high-tech capsule hotel during your time in Tokyo, this is the place for you. The Millennials Shibuya offers Smart Pods (All Gender or Female Only) with high ceilings (you can stand in them), reclining beds, and theater viewing options. They also have a large lobby lounge in case you don’t want to spend all your time at the hotel in bed.
Roppongi: great nightlife and international atmosphere
Roppongi is an upmarket area, featuring world-class art museums (like the Mori Art Museum and National Art Center), Michelin-starred restaurants, and lots of luxury shopping. It is also an area known for its vibrant nightlife, full of bars and clubs that stay open late. It’s a very cosmopolitan area with a financial district feel.
Pros:
Large expat population and international businesses, making for a diverse and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Proximity to art museums, galleries, and cultural institutions.
Well-connected and very central. Within walking distance to much of Minato City.
Cons:
More expensive dining, bars, and clubs, than most other areas of Tokyo.
Less of a local neighborhood feel compared to others.
Limited green spaces.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
The award-winning luxury Grand Hyatt is a 3-min walk from Roppongi Station, and offers 10 restaurants. One side of the hotel faces Mount Fuji (which you can see on a clear day) and the other side faces Tokyo Tower. People rave about the breakfast being “off the charts.”
Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton
Directly connected to the Roppongi Station, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo occupies the top nine floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, one of Tokyo’s tallest buildings. It features 8 dining options, with views of the Shinjuku area, Imperial Palace, or Mount Fuji.
Upscale: HOTELみなと-MINATO-
The rooms here come with traditional saunas and baths, and people rave about them. The rooms are very traditional-looking, and offer lots of privacy with few windows. A great option if you’re looking for a classic style bath experience in a modern hotel.
Mid: remm Roppongi
This hotel has rooms with views of the Tokyo Tower, and is a comfortable and convenient option. People really like the location of this hotel, but the rooms are very small.
Ginza: luxury shopping and upscale dining
A subdistrict of Chuo City and near the Tokyo Station, Ginza is one of the city's most upscale and prestigious shopping and entertainment districts.
Pros:
Best place for upscale shopping
Home to many high-end restaurants, from Michelin-starred to top sushi restaurants.
Many cultural institutions, including theaters, galleries, and performance venues.
Cons:
Gets crowded, especially especially on weekends and during peak hours.
Less convenient than other locations listed here.
Depending on where you live, further from green spaces.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: The Peninsula Tokyo
The rooms at the Peninsula are very large by Tokyo standards, starting at 54 m² / 579 ft². The suites here also offer guaranteed 6:00 am arrival and 10:00 pm checkout at no extra charge.
Luxury: Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Much cheaper than the other two luxury hotels but just as well-rated and much cheaper. The only caveat is that the hotel seems a little dated and not every room has good views.
Upscale: Hotel GrandBach Tokyo Ginza
Travelers rate the Hotel GrandBach highly for comfort, cleanliness, and location. The rooms here are very spacious compared to other hotels in Tokyo, and the breakfast is a choice of 3 set menus (no buffet).
Mid: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Kyobashi Premier
The Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Kyobashi PREMIER is good for business travelers. They have a high-speed wifi, coin-operated laundry, vending machine and microwave. Some of the other Daiwa Roynet Hotels also have business centers and meeting rooms, if you need a place to host a meeting.
Budget: Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel
A clean, well-designed hostel that offers a variety of room types to accommodate different preferences and group sizes, including dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds and private rooms for more privacy.
Asakusa: historic temples and traditional atmosphere
Asakusa is situated in the Taito ward of Tokyo, is a historic district known for its traditional atmosphere, cultural attractions, and bustling shopping streets. I personally think this area is a little far from the central hub of Tokyo, but one of the more iconic and historic districts.
Pros:
Many cultural attractions, including Senso-ji Temple.
An atmosphere of traditional charm, narrow streets, historic buildings.
More accommodation options, especially for budget travelers.
Cons:
Souvenir shops can feel overly commercialized.
Transportation options aren’t the best.
Further from the main tourist areas of Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc).
Recommended Hotels:
Upscale: Mimaru Suites Tokyo Asakusa
The suites here are unique and large. They have several dog-friendly suites, a theater suite (with a projector), and Japanese-style suites. These suites sleep 4+ people, with separate living areas, bedrooms, and well-equipped kitchenettes. The hotel also caters to families with children by providing child-friendly amenities such as cribs, kid-friendly bedding, high chairs, and baby baths.
Upscale: Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Inaricho
Like the other Mimaru hotel in the area, this hotel caters to families and large parties, with its large rooms and kitchenettes. You can rent out the whole floor, great if you’re traveling as a party with multiple families. They also have a weekly/monthly plan, so are great for temporary housing or long-term business trips.
Mid: Section L Kuramae - Asakusa
This hotel is south of the main center of Asakusa, but still convenient. One guest said, “This was the best hotel we stayed at in Japan. The space, cleanliness, location, staff and facilities were exceptional.”
Budget: plat hostel keikyu minowa forest
Their website describes the hostel as “a playful adult space.” This hostel only has private rooms, so guests can enjoy both private time and time with other guests, making it a comfortable base for a long stay in Tokyo.
Akasaka: business district with high-end hotels and dining
Akasaka is known for its mix of business, entertainment, and residential areas, and 3 out of 3 of the friends we had visit in our latest trip to Tokyo stayed here. It hosts various government offices, embassies, and corporate headquarters, making it a bustling and cosmopolitan area within Tokyo.
Pros:
It is very centrally located in Tokyo.
The area is very convenient, with easy access to many tourist attractions.
The Akasaka-Mitsuke Station has 5 subway lines, making public transportation very easy.
Cons:
The area itself is very business-centric.
The vibrant nightlife of Akasaka can be loud at night.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
A review says, “The views, room and amenities were exceptional,” and the photos and other reviews would agree. People also love the staff and breakfast.
Upscale: Cocoshuku Akasaka Premium
The rooms here sleep 3 or more people, and meals can be prepared in the kitchenette, which comes with a refrigerator, kitchenware and a microwave. This is a great option for families or a group of friends.
Upscale: Mimaru Tokyo Asakasa
If you liked the description of the Asakusa Mimarus, there is also one here. Spacious rooms with kitchenettes, some of the rooms here even have a city view.
Mid: The Centurion Classic Akasaka
The Centurion Classic has many options of rooms, including a Japanese-style room, and rooms that sleep 6 adults. Every room also has a microwave and washer/dryer, a nice perk if you’re traveling for a while and need to do some laundry.
Budget: Akasaka Urban Hotel Annex
If you’re traveling by yourself but don’t want to stay in a hostel, this is the hotel for you. Akasaka Urban Hotel Annex offer rooms for 1, with a private bathroom, and is located across from a subway entrance with 3 lines.
Tokyo Station & Ōtemachi: major transportation hub and business district
Home to the Emperor of Japan, the Imperial Palace and its grounds, and many of the world’s best hotels, including Aman Tokyo and The Four Seasons Tokyo, this area is a beautiful and convenient area to stay while in Tokyo.
Pros:
It is very centrally located in Tokyo.
The area is very convenient, with access to Tokyo and the rest of Japan via Tokyo Station.
Has many of the best/most famous Tokyo hotels.
Cons:
The area itself is very business-centric.
There are fewer shops and restaurants than some of the other areas.
Recommended Hotels:
Luxury: Aman Tokyo
The Aman Tokyo is a special property. It offers ryokan-style rooms and classic Aman-level amenities, including the largest, most comprehensive hotel spa in Tokyo (2,500sqm/26,900sqft over two floors). Also listed 5th in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023.
Luxury: Palace Hotel Tokyo
Right next to the Imperial Palace Gardens, the Palace Hotel Tokyo features spacious and elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites with modern amenities and stunning views of the city skyline or the Imperial Palace Gardens.
Luxury: Other
Other luxury hotels include Hoshinoya Tokyo (a ryokan selected as one of the top 50 hotels in the world), and the Four Seasons at Otemachi (which offers stunning views of the Imperial Gardens and Mount Fuji). Slightly further east is also the Mandarin Oriental.
Upscale: The Tokyo Station Hotel
This iconic building is designated an “Important Cultural Property”, and offers gorgeous, European-style rooms.
Upscale: Oakwood Premier Tokyo
The Oakwood Premier Tokyo is a luxury serviced apartment with hotel-like services. All apartments are fully furnished and include a fully-equipped kitchen (with kitchenware). They also have a washer/dryer. Great for longer-term stays.
Hotel Ryumeikan is particularly well-rated for its location (proximity to Tokyo Station) and comfort. They offer mobile phone rentals, laundry service, and even in-room massages.
Budget: Backpacker’s Mini House
Guests rave about the owner of this hostel, where he offers female or male dormitory rooms. This is also one of the cheapest accommodation options on this list.
What Else to Book
Besides a hotel, you should book a lot of other things before landing in Tokyo. Here’s a list of what to book ahead of time in Tokyo to help you with your planning.
