Tokyo may be a sprawling, futuristic metropolis, but the core of the city, from its historic riverside origins to all its popular shopping areas, can be explored in an afternoon. With careful planning and choosing a hotel that puts you close to the sights you want to do, this energetic city becomes more manageable.
Marunouchi is the area in the heart of the city around the huge Tokyo station. It and its neighbor Ginza are home to most of the city’s luxury hotels and luxury hotels. Marunouchi’s proximity to the main train station also makes it easy to get back to, and hard to get lost. Wherever you are in the city, you are usually only one or two trains away from Tokyo Station. Moving outward, Shinbashi is where much of the city’s business is done, such as lower Manhattan. There are hotels, restaurants and shops, but most businesses cater to the huge crowds of office workers who descend on the area each workday.
The Akihabara area is also called “Nerd Village” because it is full of electronics stores, as well as businesses that deal with the world of anime, manga and cosplay. Kanda and Ueno are the next parts of town, running away from its core, and they are filled with many smaller shops and businesses, culminating in the beautiful Ameyoko open air market. Roppongi is another popular area of the city for tourists; it is also filled with shopping centers, luxury apartments, restaurants and theaters. Harajuku is known for its unique street style and boutiques. It is an area of Shibuya , the city’s main shopping and entertainment district
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Where to stay for luxury
The Marunouchi area is where you will find most of Tokyo’s luxury hotels. Adjacent to Tokyo Station and right next to Ginza , the Beverly Hills of Tokyo, Marunouchi is a great base from which to easily explore the city, on foot and by train or by Rolls-Royce limousine. For the ultimate luxury experience in Japan, the Aman Tokyo offers a personalized, tailor-made itinerary based on your wishes. The luxury hotel is inside Nihonbashi, the area right next to Marunouchi and considered the historic center of Tokyo. The hotel’s The Restaurant by Aman serves Italian dishes from the Veneto, served high above the city. The Aman specializes in creating truly memorable guest experiences with options such as a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market with the on-site chef or an iaido class to learn the ancient art and etiquette of samurai combat.
Another great option is the stylish Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo. This luxury hotel is located right next to Tokyo Station and offers its guests a welcome service to the track. The hotel’s restaurant, Piacere, has what many consider the best Italian food in town, and the Piedmontese chef travels all over Japan to source specialty local produce. The rooms and suites here are larger than most of the city’s luxury hotels, and the service, as you’ll find at any Shangri-La hotel, is warm and deeply personal.
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo is within Roppongi , the heart of the city’s newest entertainment district. The hotel occupies the top nine floors of a 53-story office building and has a sky lobby on the 45th floor. As it is located on a hill, the rooms and public areas offer an impressive 360-degree view of the city. Try to book a room on a Club Floor, as these offer some additional amenities and access to the hotel’s expansive Club Lounge, which offers five daily meals. The Ritz-Carlton is part of a large project called Tokyo Midtown and the building and surrounding complex has some great shopping and a gourmet market.
Another great luxury option is The Peninsula Tokyo. The hotel is also in Marunouchi, but it is directly across from the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park, a few blocks from Ginza and the train station. The hotel’s Peninsula Academy offers guests the opportunity to train with the hotel’s chef to learn the two most famous types of traditional Japanese food: sushi and tempura. The state-of-the-art spa and indoor pool add to the luxurious surroundings. These luxury hotels also have special romantic offers for couples.
Where to stay for the best value
By foregoing the more well-known Western hotel chains and going with an Asian or Japanese brand, it’s possible to find comfortable accommodations without breaking the bank. Rooms in Shinbashi or Shiodome , office spaces and office workers are a great value because they are not popular with tourists. Because they’re well served by Tokyo’s public transportation system, staying there still keeps you close to the city’s most popular attractions, such as shops and museums. For a good price in the very popular Ginzaarea, the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier has great rates; a central location; and clean, stylish rooms. It is also on the route of both the Haneda and Narita airport bus routes and close to trains and subways.
For a more upscale experience, the Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome delivers what you’d expect from a five-star luxury brand for about half the price. The Ginza adjoining hotel has stylish but small rooms and offers a full range of luxury hotel services (concierge, business center, gym, swimming pool, restaurant) at an excellent price. It is also a short walk from the huge Shimbashi station and close to the Tsukiji commercial fish market, a must-visit for foodies. The Shiodome location is more business than tourist, but offers some great restaurants and shops, all within a block or two of the hotel.
If you’re traveling near Haneda Airport, Hotel Mystays Haneda offers clean, modern accommodations and easy access to the airport via subway or free shuttle service. There is a restaurant that serves both Western and Japanese dishes, with extended hours for late arrivals and early departures. Reasonable room rates and proximity to the airport make it worth checking out, even for long layovers.
Where to stay on a budget
It is possible to find budget accommodations in central Tokyo, but in most cases you will have to sacrifice space and amenities. While not as compact as the city’s famed capsule hotels, budget accommodations will usually feature a small, self-contained tubeless bathroom and space barely larger than the beds. Most hotels have wifi, but don’t expect an on-site restaurant or room service. For some excitement, the Akihabaraarea is known for anime, manga and cosplay cafes. Locals call it “Nerd Village,” and it’s also home to some of the city’s best budget hotel bargains. The Hotel Dormy Inn Akihabara is located a few blocks from Akihabara Station. Most room rates include breakfast and the hotel offers both a Western and Japanese breakfast option.
The Akihabara Washington Hotel is located in the heart of the electronics district, also close to Akihabara Station. If you’re looking for a taste of Western culture, the hotel even has its own Denny’s. For a fun, modern, budget hotel experience in Kanda Hotel Mystays Kanda, the area next to Akihabara, offers clean but compact rooms. The staff speak good English and travelers will appreciate that the hotel is a ten minute walk from Kanda station in a very residential area. It’s a chance to interact with more locals than tourists.
Where to stay for families
Statue of Liberty in Odaiba area
Tokyo is very child-friendly, and Tokyo Bayarea is especially great for families. Just a ten minute taxi ride from central Tokyo (or even less by train), the area encompasses several massive shopping malls and theme parks. This part of Tokyo is all reclaimed land from the bay and you’ll find more greenery and outdoor space than the central part of the city. It is also a great area for jogging and walking. The Odaiba and Tokyo Bay also have the city’s only public beach, which can provide a wonderful respite from the urban chaos. The InterContinental Hotel Tokyo Bay offers the brand’s legendary luxury and value, along with an ideal waterfront location right next to the Rainbow Bridge. All of the hotel’s rooms and suites have water views, and the service level is seriously five-star, with surprisingly reasonable room rates.
Another great option for families near Tokyo Bay is the Dai-Ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort. This mid-range hotel offers excellent value for money with very nice rooms with a sea view. There is also a large buffet restaurant that serves both Japanese and Western dishes. The Hilton Tokyo Odaiba is also located in Tokyo Bay on the huge artificial island of Odaiba. Steps from the U-train, which connects to central Tokyo, this oceanfront hotel is one of the larger properties in the area. The mate offers a variety of dining options and activities. Also called a Tokyo Neighbor Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, they have a free, daily shuttle service to and from the park. The hotel has some fantastic suites.
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