21 Best Hotels in Tokyo, Japan

Surrounded by a plethora of shops and restaurants and situated a short walk from JR Tachikawa Station and the two Tachikawa monorail stations on the Tama Toshi line, this hotel makes for an excellent base for exploring West Tokyo. Regional hiking trails, parks, and in the summer, blueberry patches, are also nearby, making a stay here feel like a true getaway. Although there's only one on-site restaurant, the quality is good, with some ingredients even being locally sourced.

Attached to Hon-Kawagoe Seibu Station and close to the historical Ichibangai shopping street and JR/Tobu Kawagoe Station, this hotel is a convenient choice for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Rooms, though uninspired, are well-maintained, and some are occasionally given themes—featuring Moomin characters, say, or a tie-in with the Japanese music group, Glay. Dining options include a buffet breakfast on the top floor, restaurants specializing in regional Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and a lobby-level bar with classic cocktails and Japanese whiskies. 

A three-minute walk west from Senso-ji, this fairly recent hipster-ish addition to Asakusa's hotel scene has rooms (on its third to tenth floors) that are spacious and modern, with wooden flooring, wide windows, and stark concrete accents. The second-floor theater and first-floor restaurant–bar—both operated by the same company as the hotel—attract a creative crowd. 

If you need a vacation from your vacation, then step off of Shinjuku's streets and into this Balinese-themed fantasy island, one of Tokyo's many "love hotels" that happens to offer both nice overnight accommodations and a quintessential Japanese experience (in general, people come to a love hotel for fun rather as a place to stay). Your room might have a karaoke machine, a projection system for movies, a massage chair, or even a sauna. There is pricing for day use or an overnight stay, so if you're looking for somewhere to spend a rainy afternoon, that's also an option. Typically love hotels are for couples (some refuse same-sex couples), but this place also welcomes small parties and events, so also offers food. Everyone must be over 18. 

Located in downtown Narita City, a very short walk from both train stations and close to Narita Omotesando, the shopping street leading to the beautiful Naritsan temple grounds, this minimalist property is the perfect base for some last-minute souvenir hunting and sightseeing. Other perks include a self-service laundry facility and a rate that includes a basic continental breakfast.

Given its proximity to Narita Airport (15 minutes away on a free shuttle), this hotel is a solid choice for a one-night visit. All the rooms are no-smoking; if available, book one of the deluxe rooms, which are slightly larger and are done in neutral colors. Meal options include a Japanese restaurant, a Sichuan eatery, and the Terrace Bar for an evening cocktail. The breakfast buffet is a bit expensive but it offers a mix of Japanese and Western selections. Also, in case you forgot to get snacks for your flight, there is a 7-Eleven on the ground floor.

Established in 1957 and renovated in 2015, these budget accommodations offer both good value for the money and easy access (a 15-minute walk) to the nightlife of Roppongi. Standard rooms billed as semi-doubles here are really singles, but the superior twins are quite spacious for the price. Appointments are a bit spartan—off-white walls, mass-market veneer furniture—but each room has comfortable beds and plenty of basic amenities like a hair dryer, electric kettle, yukata (Japanese robe), and a TV. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet that includes freshly baked bread.

The faux-stone exterior that attempts to replicate 20th-century Europe might seem cheesy, but this hotel is a true Ginza bargain. In keeping with the theme, rooms are outfitted with dark-wood floors, powder-white linens, and curtains tied with tassels, though free in-room internet and heated toilet seats are nice contemporary touches. The Escale restaurant is French, but this European slant isn't just for the hotel guests; the in-house wedding chapel can be busy on weekends and holidays.

One of the most affordable hotels near Tokyo Station (a mere three-minute walk away), the Ryumeikan is a great option for business travelers or those making side trips outside the city. Don't be put off by the drab elevator up to the 15th-floor lobby; things are far smarter elsewhere. Guest rooms have cream-colored walls and dark-brown textiles, and bathrooms feature showers outfitted with a special massage function. Small (188 square feet) single rooms are simply designed, with a curved desk and ergonomic office chair. The hotel's restaurant, Hanagoyomi, serves good Japanese dishes. Bicycle rentals are possible.

This hotel is well-located for those who want to be close to Kawagoe train station—just few minutes away on foot via an elevated walkway—and its numerous shops and restaurants. Although it is a bit far from Ichibangai, Toki no Kane, and other sights, frequent buses plying the area stop at historical attractions. As the lobby isn't at ground level, reaching the modestly sized, minimalist rooms requires taking two different elevators. Breakfast (not included in the rates) is served slightly offsite, but it has some tasty regional offerings such as sweet potato, Musashino udon, and Kawajima cold soup.

Trendy yet budget-friendly, this hotel on the edge of Ginza seems geared to a younger crowd, with pop-art throughout and guest rooms done in light blues and oranges. Most rooms are compact singles and twins, although some triples and double bedroom rooms are available for families or groups of friends. Then there are the facilities, which (along with the price) make Lyf an option for long stays: a co-working space, chilled-out bar-lounge, shared kitchen, small gym, and a laundromat.

For a layover at Narita Airport, this capsule hotel, located pre-security in Terminal 2, is a good bet—just pick up your slippers and robe at reception, and make your way to your "sleep pod" (basically, a very narrow sleeping space with a small pillow). In addition to overnight stays, there are day-use (from ¥1,500) and shower-only (¥1,000) options

This slender tower a couple of minutes east of the Senso-ji complex is part of the affordable yet sleek OMO chain created by luxury brand Hoshino Resorts. In keeping with Hoshino's approach to design, rooms feature a contemporary blend of Japanese and Western sensibilities, incorporating light woods and natural tones that make compact spaces feel a little more expansive. Families could opt for the largest room, the Deluxe Quadruple, which is accented by tatami flooring. Beyond the design, what helps elevate the OMO3 above many other hotels in this price range are the little extras—the 24-hour food and drink station, the nightly Rakugo comedy show on the 13th floor, and free morning Asakusa tours with staff.

If you're all about smart technology and efficient service, try this small Ebisu property, where the lobby has an interactive map, and check-in/out and luggage storage before or after your stay can be done using self-service machines. Rooms are small, modern, and minimalist; some have smart-technology speakers and mirrors. Breakfast is limited to a small sandwich and a cuppa, but fret not—Ebisu is a transportation hub with heaps of nearby cafés and restaurants, as well as shops.

This friendly ryokan has a few modest Western-style twin rooms amid its mostly Japanese-style rooms, and its location—just behind the Kaminari-mon gateway leading to the Senso-ji complex—is convenient for exploring the area. The downside for some will be the size of the rooms; it's worth paying extra for a 12-tatami mat room if you have a lot of luggage, as the six-tatami mat rooms are extremely snug.

Just off Nakamise-dori, this small inn, with both Japanese- and Western-style rooms, could not be better located for a visit to Senso-ji temple. Although all guest quarters have private baths, Western-style rooms are plain and a bit dated, and standard Japanese rooms are cramped, even for just two. The best option is to pay a little extra for a Japanese-style deluxe or suite room with futon bedding and tatami floors. Regardless, be sure to head to the sixth floor for a soak in a Japanese-style wooden communal bath with a view of the Senso-ji pagoda.

Established in the 1980s, this small, simple, economical inn—where all the rooms have traditional tatami flooring and futon mattresses—is a five-minute walk from the entrance to Ueno Koen (Ueno Park) and a 10-minute walk from the Tokyo National Museum. Although the largest rooms can accommodate four or five people, others are very small.

You'll get a full dose of shitamachi (lower city) friendliness at the family run Sawanoya, where you'll feel like you're part of an old Tokyo neighborhood and where people might help you plan excursions, say, or book hotels for the next leg of your journey. It is popular with budget travelers, so reserve online well in advance. Japanese bathtubs are near small windows that overlook a small garden. Coffee and tea are complimentary, but most rooms have no TVs.

Just a three-minute walk from JR Shinagawa Station, the multi-tower Prince Hotel is in a sprawling entertainment complex with, among other things, an 80-lane bowling alley, an 11-screen movie theater, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis and golf centers, and an aquarium, but crowds definitely detract from the experience of staying here. Guest rooms, simply designed and featuring pops of earth- or jewel-tone color, are on the small side overall; indeed, singles can be truly tiny, with space for a bed and little else. Families should book a larger twin room to better accommodate the kids. The Top of Shinagawa Lounge has spectacular views of Tokyo Bay.

This hotel is popular with budget-minded foreign visitors who prefer to stay near the small Japanese restaurants and bars of the Ningyocho area of Nihonbashi. A shallow rock pond and stone lantern welcome you inside, but that's where the graces end. The biggest twin rooms are long and narrow, and the bathrooms are tiny units with low ceilings. The best accommodations are the three tatami-floored rooms on the second floor overlooking a small Japanese garden. Multicourse Japanese meals are available at an extra cost in the restaurant, Kappo Sumisho, and the original Mitsukoshi Department Store is within walking distance.