I’ve been planning a solo trip to Tokyo for months now, and I’m trying to keep the whole thing under $2,000 including flights. But honestly, the hotel part is where my budget keeps falling apart. I keep stumbling onto blog posts that recommend places like the Park Hyatt or the Andaz, which are way out of my price range, and I start second-guessing everything. My main problem is that I want a clean, safe room with a private bathroom near a train station, but I don’t need anything fancy. I’m not planning to hang out in the hotel much, so I’m fine with small rooms and shared amenities.
I’ve already looked at a few chains like APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn, which seem to pop up everywhere in travel guides. The prices are decent, like around $60 to $80 a night, but I’ve read mixed reviews about room sizes being almost comically tiny and the walls being thin. I also considered hostels, but I’m a light sleeper and not sure if I want to risk dormitory noise. Well, at least I think a private room in a hostel might work, but then the prices aren’t that much lower than a basic business hotel. I’ve been scouring sites like Booking.com and Agoda, but the sheer number of options in Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Ueno is overwhelming. My flight arrives late, so I need something with 24-hour check-in, which narrows things down a bit.
One thing I keep circling back to is the Fuji View Hotel in Asakusa—it’s cheap, has solid reviews for cleanliness, and is near the metro. But then I read someone complaining about the beds being rock hard, and I’m six-foot-one, so that could be a real problem. I’ve also heard capsule hotels are a uniquely Japanese experience, but I’m not sure if I’d feel claustrophobic. I’ve got eight nights to fill, and I’m hoping to find the best budget hotels in Tokyo 2023 that don’t feel like a compromise on basic comfort. If anyone has stayed at a place that surprised them—like a hidden gem in a quieter neighborhood with good transport links—I’d love to hear about it. Also, is it worth booking directly with the hotel, or should I stick with third-party sites for the best deal?
I’ve already looked at a few chains like APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn, which seem to pop up everywhere in travel guides. The prices are decent, like around $60 to $80 a night, but I’ve read mixed reviews about room sizes being almost comically tiny and the walls being thin. I also considered hostels, but I’m a light sleeper and not sure if I want to risk dormitory noise. Well, at least I think a private room in a hostel might work, but then the prices aren’t that much lower than a basic business hotel. I’ve been scouring sites like Booking.com and Agoda, but the sheer number of options in Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Ueno is overwhelming. My flight arrives late, so I need something with 24-hour check-in, which narrows things down a bit.
One thing I keep circling back to is the Fuji View Hotel in Asakusa—it’s cheap, has solid reviews for cleanliness, and is near the metro. But then I read someone complaining about the beds being rock hard, and I’m six-foot-one, so that could be a real problem. I’ve also heard capsule hotels are a uniquely Japanese experience, but I’m not sure if I’d feel claustrophobic. I’ve got eight nights to fill, and I’m hoping to find the best budget hotels in Tokyo 2023 that don’t feel like a compromise on basic comfort. If anyone has stayed at a place that surprised them—like a hidden gem in a quieter neighborhood with good transport links—I’d love to hear about it. Also, is it worth booking directly with the hotel, or should I stick with third-party sites for the best deal?
