There is really no downtown of Tokyo. My definitioin of downtown of Tokyo would be the inside of Yamanote line. Live close to Yamanote line stations is pretty convenient to get around everywhere.
I do not recommend stay in most popular stations like Shibuya or Shinjuku. Especially Shinjuku. You get lost easily and although it is by station. You easily spent 15 mins just to get back from "Shinjuku" station to your hotel near "Shinjuku" station.
"Shinjuku"? There are so many Shinjuku stations. They all called Shinjuku stations operate by different company in different locations. As of 2023 May 26, there are Shinjuku stations operated by 12 Lines.
Following are decent places I’ve stayed or hear good things. For Airbnb I only recommend this listing because I’ve met this person. She seems to run nice Airbnb.
(¥10000 JPY ~ $70 USD)
- Nui Hostel - Mostly there for coffee, in Asakusa area
- BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO (Asakusa)
- BOOK AND BED TOKYO (Ikebukuro) - a bookstore you can spend a night
- UNPLAN Kagurazaka
- DDD Hotel (¥7700 ~)
- Toyoko INN - low budget super narrow hotels everywhere (ft. free breakfast). No vibe.
- APA Hotel — scary CEO face in the amenities. Not recommend.
- Daiwa Roynet Hotel - boring business hotels everywhere
- Hotel Gracery (Operate by WHG)
- Hotel Sunroute — Decent business hotel.
- ANA Crowne Plaza (Operate by IHG)
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Mitsui Garden Hotels
I much prefer Mistui Garden hotels. Public bath is the Japanese experience. They are one of the first hotel I've seen that improves the tattoo situation). Also their hotel’s breakfast are the best of the best.
- ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SHINJUKU — It is pretty far from the Shinjuku station and the rooms are not as nice as the picture.
- Celestines Hotels (Kyoto one is amazing!)
- Any Hyatt Regency — Japan’s Hyatt Regency is comparable to Grand Hyatt elsewhere. Although Shinjuku’s Hyatt Regency is pretty old and in need for a renovation.
- Park Hyatt Shinjuku (Lost in Translation classic) — even you dont stay. you can go there and get a classic whisky. But very expensive.
- HOSHINOYA Hotels (the ultimate Japanese experience)
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