Job Discussion Forums

theSeeker · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1 Location: USA

Hello,

I may be making a quick trip to Tokyo soon. I want to find the cheapest hotels, near the action of downtown. Anyone know? I hear Tokyo can be very expensive, so im looking for the cheapest accomodation available.

what do you think i would end up spending daily?

any advise?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

The cheapest hotel in Tokyo is called "the Yamanote line" and will cost you 200 yen.

Smile

No, all joking aside, the cheapest is Economy Hotel New Koyo

http://www.newkoyo.com/

But make sure you book WELL in advance -- as you may guess, it's popular and often booked solid.

If they are completely full, ask them for a referal to their "sister hotel" that's a few blocks away. It's pricier, but still reasonable.

Enjoy your trip!

JD

rivatnt · Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 4

Daiichi inn ikebukuro. It is pretty nice but not in a nice area. It is near the train station. Like close walking distance. I stayed there and hopped onto the yamanote line and visited everywhere. I heard any hotels that are near train stations arent in nice areas. Like it was next to the train tracks.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I think this question comes up once a month on the Korean forum.

observer · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 27

Love hotels are also cheap, and these gaudy creations are everywhere.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

love hotels are not SO bad.... but most of them will not let you have a room if you either A) go in alone or B) go in with a member of the same sex.... (Sorry to the gay folks -- Japan's not SO enlightened when it comes to this particular area)...

Also, with love hotels, if you want a room for the night, you must usually: - go in only after 10pm (and check out by 10am), - once you enter, you usually cannot leave -- the door often locks behind you and either you pay to leave, or leaving indicates you are done with the room. - weekends carry a surcharge, - in the end it can cost you 10,000 or more..... Hence, a capsule hotel or business hotel will be cheaper.

How do I know this stuff? I enjoy exploring love hotels ..... (with my wife).... Smile

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Joannda · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Japan!

I asked a similar question not long ago, although I didn't get many responses, other than the ones about Love Hotels like people are suggesting here. Another person suggested sleeping in the park Smile

But, I'm guessing you'll probably want something a bit more comfortable than a park bench.
I've done a bit of hunting around myself, and the cheapest I've come up with, for a single room (this is assuming you're going by yourself? If you're going with another person, there may be cheaper options for a double room).
Hotel New Azuma seems the cheapest option for a single room which range between 2900-3100 yen a night, depending on whether it is high or low season. If you book on the internet, it is only 2700 yen. It is not in the center of Tokyo as such, although it is aparntly only 20mins from Ginza. There is a map on their site (http://www9.ocn.ne.jp/~h-azuma/uk/index.htm)
The Tokyo International Youth Hostel is 3500 yen per person per night. You don't have to be a member to stay there. You can also get fairly cheap meals there, and it looks quite new. (http://www.tokyo-yh.jp/eng/e_top.html)
Hope this helps you Smile

Joannda · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Japan!

I forgot to mention too, there are capsule hotels which can be really cheap (I found one on the net for 1900 yen a night, but I can't seem to find the link anywhere, will let you know if I do.) On http://gojapan.about.com/cs/accommodation/a/tokyocapsule6.htm there is a whole list of them, ranging between 2600 yen up to about 4000 yen. Just be aware that some of these capsule hotels don't accept women guests. Not sure if this would be an issue for you.

In terms of your question about what you would spend daily, that really depends on your eating habits and what you intend to do while you are in Tokyo? I mean, are you going to be just wandering around Tokyo and taking in the sights, or are you planning on going to Tokyo Disneyland? (That costs 5500 yen in itself!) Even just going around Tokyo and not really doing anything will cost you if you're travelling on the train. Are you getting a JR pass before you arrive? (This can only be gained if you are outside Japan, and are a tourist, it can potentially save a bit of money, depending on how long you will be here). (http://www.jtbusa.com/enhome/jrpass.asp )

Food will probably run you between 1500-2000 yen a day depending on whether you are going to eat at restaurants or grab something from a 100yen store or a convenience store.
If you are flying into Narita Airport, you'll also have to remember that the airport is a while out of Tokyo itself, and getting a bus or train into the city will cost you a bit as well. Probably about 3000 yen on the bus. I guess if you got the JR pass, you could use that.

Joannda · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Japan!

Found it; http://www2.tocoo.jp/english/hotel/1011312/yado_m.jsp But I was mistaken, the 1900 yen is per person if you stay in a double capsule (so that would be quite good if you're going with someone else?) Otherwise it's 2650 yen for a single. It's not in central Tokyo though, there is a map on the site. It's by Kiba Station if that tells you anything. I guess you'll have to see whether it is worth spending less on accomodation just to spend more on train travel to get to where you want to go.