100% lost - need Tokyo hotel please
 

OK - 5 days of reading and searching and I think I am more confused than ever. Please be gentle as I think at this point I might just get off the plane and stop at the first hotel I see and hope for the best. Save me from this fate if you can :worry:

I will be arriving from Haneda airport and staying for 4 maybe 5 nights mid September. Included in this time are typical sightseeing of Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Scramble, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa Jinja shrine and some unique artsy/boutique shopping (not high end designers, more street markets and vintage vibes with a little hi-tec thrown in for the wife). Not into anime or theme parks. Just really want to use the time to adjust to time change and soak in the atmosphere. We will be going to a baseball game one evening at the Tokyo Dome and perhaps to a sumo match one day at Kokugikan Arena. One day we will take a day trip to Kamakura. Depending on how we feel we might try and get to Akakurayama Segan Park/ Fuji 5 lakes area, but given the time of year that might not make sense. Will be a game day decision. When we leave Tokyo we will be headed to Kyoto next.

So I think I would like to be someplace that I can easily get transportation to all the places mentioned and have a variety of dining choices nearby. Not looking to be in the heart of loud, partying, nightlife but also not in a business district with nothing going on after 5pm.. So transportation convenience, clean basic rooms and of course a safe area. If we can stay around $125 US a night that would be ideal, but can go to say $170 ish if need be. If anyone has a hotel recommendation that fits the bill that would be incredible, but if you all can point me in the best area to look in maybe my head will stop spinning. Truly thank you in advance for helping out on this one!

I usually stay in the same hotel every time I am in Tokyo so I cannot recommend a particular hotel but I would probably use Booking.com and look at Shinjuku or someplace like Asakusa. The area around Tokyo station problems does not fit your needs. Any place on the Yamanote train like would probably be best but other places near a subway station would work too

I think the amount of $ per night is your problem. Tokyo is pretty expensive. As mjs has said - use booking.com. Put in your dates and see what comes up. Look in the Asakusa area.

Try here: Agoda | Hotels in Tokyo | Best Price Guarantee!

When you click on a property look at the Highlights one of which shows the nearest transit stop. For example,, it shows Shinjuku Washington is 160 meters from a subway station.

APA hotels, Washington hotels and other chains are in your price range. Be sure to select the correct number of guests. Also look for info about bed size and room size, both of which can be quite small.

For getting around quickly, I avoid the train stations. They are big, confusing, and take some time to traverse. Stay instead at a hotel near a subway stop not shared by a train station. You'll be on your way in seconds. Too easy. So I'd avoid Shinjuku and Shibuya, for example. Both are super busy, frenetic, crowded.

When you look at prices, be aware of room and bed sizes. You can't take double beds for granted, and some places have truly tiny rooms.

Dormy Inn has reasonable prices. There is a location in Hatchobori.

I agree that Tokyo's train stations can be overwhelming at first. But IME, if you just take a breath and look around, you'll find that they are extremely well marked and ultimately very easy to use. I would opt for a hotel close to whichever transportation lines you are most likely to use. I most certainly would not rule train stations out.

Shinjuku train station is definitely huge and confusing. I have been through this station more than 100 times and I still need some time to orient myself. Once you do so I do not think it's too difficult and it is well connected with both the Yamamoto line and Chuo train lines and three subway lines. You really do not have much time to explore Tokyo along with Kamakura and Mt Fuji with only 4-5 nights. Tokyo can also be quite hot in mid September and its Typhoon season which might slow you down. Pretty much everywhere is safe in Tokyo.

Thanks - everyone my problem is not really the price, i can increase that if need be - my problem is not knowing what area to be in for the things i want to do. And trying to figure out the subway lines have been daunting. Do you have a recommendation on areas? Thanks again i truly appreciate it.

I don't think you need to be so sensitive about location. It's so easy to get around. Plus Asakusa and the Sumo matches are on a different side of town than other places you noted..

Some of the more 'convenient' areas are a zoo. Tokyo heaves with people. Well, you'll see.

Anyway, I already gave you a recommendation, perhaps others can chime in as well.

I also do not think the area is that much an issue but you budget is on the low side so I would be looking at the best hotel for your budget and it's proximity to a subway line or train station within central Tokyo.

Below is a simplified map of Tokyo public transportation centering on the green-colored looping JR Yamanote line and a few subway lines intersecting with it.
Attachment 9415

As long as you can find a well-reviewed hotel within your budget and not far from one of these stops, it will be convenient. Make sure you read the room size and bed size carefully so as not to select a room too small to open two suitcases.

I have stayed in Ueno, Asakusa, and Ginza on separate trips. I have also stayed in Shinagawa for an overnight, and then caught a Shinkansen train to Kyoto the next day.

Most of the hotel rates in Tokyo and Kyoto hike up at least 30% on Saturdays. Therefore, if your dates span over a Saturday night, the total will be higher than otherwise.

(NOTE: The actual Tokyo subway map is much more dense, but as a tourist, you only need to learn about a few lines to start with.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/index.html
)

Twice, once each on two separate trips, I have had trains stop on the Yamonote Line for a long time once they arrived at a station. Each time the car was full of people who had no idea what was going on, despite an announcement. One of these times, the train started going in the opposite direction. The other time it just sat there until everyone eventually filtered off. I still have yet to figure out either mystery. The mystery of the trains stopping and the mystery of why the other people, all Japanese I'd say, did not get off immediately.

I have probably taken a Yamamoto line train a few hundred times in my life and although what shelemm experienced does happen, it's pretty rare. Unfortunately unless things have changed recently, announcements are only in Japanese.

Oh, I am sure it's a rare experience. Still, I was willing to follow what the Japanese people on the car were doing. Presumably they understood the announcement. So I was mystified that they too seemed clueless.

Search a hotel located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. It's a great neighborhood.

Thank you this is helpful. I will start plotting things out and go from there!

I really liked staying in Asakusa, even though it wasn’t on the Yamanote line, but one stop away. I found that Google maps worked well when we plotted out trips before we went out. The concierge services at the hotel were also very helpful. We stayed at the Richmond Premier Asakusa in a superior twin room (beds pushed together) because it had a great view of the Skytree Tower and was slightly more spacious than the double,

I had also considered the Asakusa Tobu, which is less pricy and gets good reviews and happens to be across from an entrance to the subway station.

we have almost finished planning our Fall 2025 trip and are also in a bit of a quandry about where to stay in Tokyo: Asakusa vs. Ginza. I love the idea of Asakusa for being able to visit Senso-ji during the early morning and evening hours, but Ginza looks pretty convenient to many of the places we want to visit and appears to have better dining options within close proximity to the hotels we're considering.

To @adlmllr's quandary about Asakusa vs. Ginza,
I like them both. And I agree with you about more dining options in Ginza.

Go with your feelings; pick the neighborhood that you are looking forward to more.

The orange-colored Ginza metro line zips between Asakusa and Ginza in about 20 minutes.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...oGinzaLine.png

thanks for picking up my missing "a" in quandary!
good advice, though I'm still not 100% ready to make a decision...............

Asakusa and Ginza are completely different neighborhoods. Asakusa retains some old Tokyo
culture with small shops and more typical small Japanese restaurants. Ginza on the other hand is a transport and business center with luxury shopping and lots of high end restaurants. No one live in Ginza and most Japanese don’t visit the area very often. There a huge maze of stores and restaurants in the underground of Tokyo station that gets a ton of traffic during the day. Ramen alley is a popular dining spot.

There are good places to eat all over Tokyo. I reject the idea that the food is better in Ginza. And as far as convenience is concerned, it is just too easy to get around Tokyo to worry about that. I would find Asukusa more pleasant, but I personally could stay in almost any neighborhood in Tokyo and be happy.

better, as in
"better dining options within close proximity to the hotels" being considered

And "dining" could mean a place a bit fancier than a Yoshinoya or MOS Burger.

Your characterization of what there is to eat outside of Ginza might not be understood as a joke to the OP.

Exactly. Emphasis added.
FWIW, I'd opt for Asakusa, because found Ginza rather soul-less, but I was there many years ago and, most importantly, it's not my trip.

thanks, everyone, for weighing in. I know these posts and questions are always a minefield, when it comes to things like what "better dining" and "close proximity actually mean. I should have been more specific and written something like "according to the preliminary research and poking around I've done, I've identified several eating establishments that look appealing to our tastes and budget in the Ginza area" :~).

No joke. What is "outside of Ginza", of course, is everything from noodle shops (for 'food') to 3-star Michelin restaurants (for dining).

If you want trendy upscale dining, you can find it in Asakusa. Best to find a hotel along the waterfront if you want such dining in close proximity.
Asakusa retains the vibe of an older Tokyo, with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street near the ancient Sensō-ji temple. Mid-19th-century Hanayashiki amusement park has rides and cafes, while riverside Kuritsu Sumida Park hosts regular festivals and firework displays. A trendy upscale dining scene is developing along the waterfront, while backstreets are lined with casual izakaya bars

There is upscale dining in Ginza. Street food and casual restaurants in close proximity to your hotel might be harder to find than in Asakusa.

Ginza is a highly fashionable and prestigious district in Tokyo, known for its upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment. It's considered one of the most expensive and luxurious city districts in the world. The name "Ginza" translates to "silver mint," reflecting its past as the location of Japan's silver mint.

Then to shelemm's point you can find eating establishments everywhere in Tokyo, pretty much

Ginza has a wide range of restaurants offering varieties of food to suit everyone's budget and taste. (That is what I meant when I referred to "better options.")

From the inexpensive ramen shops to the renowned Sato Yosuke Inaniwa udon, to the moderately priced kaiten sushi, and to the exclusive Jiro Sushi (Sukiyabashi Jiro, of the "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" documentary fame.)

Then, in every department store or multi-floored building housing various shops, there is often a floor dedicated to restaurants that offer various food options and price ranges.

For the OP, sure, stay wherever inspires you. There is probably no wrong area to stay.

Personally, I am not too excited about eating in a department store. I'd rather eat at an izakaya.

I do recommend trying out a ramen-ya. The kind of place which is just a counter. You pay at a vending machine outside, and someone takes your ticket and seats you. You are then served your ramen. I am not sure there is an any place outside Japan where that is prevalent.

We found lots of places to eat in Asakusa, including a wonderful ramen place, exactly what shelemm describes!

As others have said, the biggest hurdle is swallowing the cost of a hotel room that is decent sized. Tokyo is expensive; Kyoto will be less so, so that helps. Location near a Yamanote Line or in Asakusa is recommended.

General notes:

• Check agoda.com for cancelable hotels. I've found better rates there. (I believe it's part of booking.com... not sure. But I've used a few times and no issues--but be sure to book free cancellation initially.)
• In Tokyo, expect to pay minimum $200/night for a decent-sized room (if you were solo or a repeat visitor, easier to stay cheaper at the budget chains)
• Arrival is the most stressful part of your trip, so just be aware things get better. When you land, don't rush. Take a breath, use the bathroom, get a drink from the vending machine in the airport to sit and get your bearings. You'll be tired from the long flight so your nerves will already be stretched. Anticipating that will help.

RE: Asakusa Hotels
My senior mother and I have stayed in Tokyo several times now in recent years (to visit family on Okinawa), and I think the Asakusa area would be very nice for you. We liked the Asakusa Tobu Hotel BUT we booked a comfort twin (pics below), as we needed twin beds PLUS wanted a bit of space to walk around. I did a LOT of research (as a Fodorite), and this worked out well for us. Great location. Walkability. Lots of conveniences. Look at this hotel, or The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon, or hotels in this area.

RE: Yamanote Line Hotels
For years, I often booked the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, and I still contend this is a great hotel for many (not all) English-speakers for a first time trip. (I say this for travelers who aren't as interested in walking after dark to see all the neon and clubs every night. Though that can be done, it's just you'll have a sobering train ride back to the more quiet Shinagawa area.) The Shinagawa Prince is directly across the street from Shinagawa Station, easy access to Haneda, the Yamanote line, and the Shinkansen to Kyoto and other parts. But this is a big complex; the better rooms are in the Main Tower on a higher floor. A triple room gives more space. There's a 7-Eleven on the 2nd floor, plus a drug store. Across the street at Shinagawa station, there's so many restaurants, shopping, and groceries. We always had breakfast at City Bakery and on occasion, had a coffee at the Starbucks. Easy also to grab pastries and a hot takeaway at the station after a day sightseeing. The Shinagawa Prince used to be on the easy Limousine Bus route, but this may have stopped.

Shinjuku is another popular area, and when I brought my extended family of 6, we stayed at Hundred Stay Shinjuku, as we wanted Yamanote line access, but didn't want to board at Shinjuku station with my senior mother. We could take the elevator to platform at Shin-Okubo station, the stop next to Shinjuku.

RE: Ginza
I really wanted to stay in Ginza this past October, and kept trying for the Ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza, as this area is nice, but could never get their twin bed room. https://all.accor.com/ssr/app/accor/...elDetails=true

Have fun planning! (pics below are of the comfort triple room at Asakusa Tobu hotel, Oct. 2024)

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...359947b6da.jpg
Comfort triple room; booked for Oct. 2024 on agoda.com for $462 (3 nights)
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4fbdd8008d.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0b6b0b211f.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e9704c30ba.jpg

:tu:
Agoda HQ is in Singapore, has operations in Bangkok and is owned by Booking Holdings.

I will often find cheaper rates on Agoda. The parent company is immaterial.

To you, apparently. But it might matter to someone else. Thanks, mrwunrfl, for providing that information.

yw.
I looked it up because ChgoGal was not sure. Plus am pretty sure that you are a booking.com fan and I thought the parent company might give you a warm and fuzzy about agoda. Also thought that the mention of offices in Singapore and Bangkok would matter on the Asia forum.

Not that I really have any need to explain myself.

My point was that, despite the parent company being Booking.com, they often have lower prices. The parent company does not mean it's the exact same deal. That's simply a fact.

Of course there might be other reasons to prefer booking.com

want to know the name of the parent company.

It is an obvious fact that OTAs have different prices for the same room. Last fall it was a matter of availability.

Agoda was the only website that had a room at a one-guest price at the ryokan hotel where I wanted to stay. Other OTAs and the hotel English language website only offered a higher two-person rate for one of the nights. I booked an expensive (run of house) Japanese room at Agoda for the second night and an inexpensive room at the hotel website for the first night, both at one-guest prices. (this was Koyo in Kaminoyama Onsen)

When I got to the hotel I was able to change to an expensive J-W room, paying the one-person rate to hotel directly. After I got home, I emails to Agoda and the hotel. Agoda provided a 100% refund within an hour, and it posted the next day. I thought it would be hassle but it was painless because of the excellent Agoda customer service that I received.

Thank you everyone for chiming in! I used Reading54 simplified subway map and plotted out my adventures and we decided to stay in Shinjuka. I was able to get the Hotel Sunroute plaza for $200/nt so only slightly higher that what i had hoped for, but we did increase the room size based on everyone's suggestions so that played a part in the higher price. Ultimately the convenience of the airport stopping directly at the hotel was a plus, and although the train station seems like it could be confusing - we are going to just take a breath and figure it out. No rush to get anywhere and it will all make for good stories if we get lost :) Once again thank you for the advice!