The Best Tokyo Hotels: 10 Unique Lodging Options in Japan's Capital City
From historical luxury hotels to one-of-a-kind hostels, these are some of the most interesting places to stay in Tokyo.
To the surprise of none, Tokyo is a popular vacation spot. And even if you’ve never visited Japan, chances are you’ve probably been introduced to its culture—whether it was growing up with a Nintendo obsession, seeing cherry blossoms splashed across friends’ Instagrams, or even just visits to your favorite local ramen bar. So why not plan a visit? This guide will help you with one key aspect of your trip: Sorting through Tokyo hotels to find the best one for you.
Japan has all kinds of unique attractions for travelers (see: geek culture, Michelin-starred cuisine, stunning historical sights). But it also has a reputation as an expensive place to visit. That goes double for Tokyo, where food, public transit, and entertainment options all clock in a bit pricier than the rest of the country.
Related: The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
Now for the good news: Japan’s capital city has a deep bench of hotel options, most of which can either be booked directly through websites or via your favorite online booking service. (Some more traditional hotels require faxed reservation requests—however, this is rarely the case in Tokyo.) Whether you’re ready to shell out for the ultimate luxury accommodations or you’re looking for something a bit more budget friendly, you won’t have to sacrifice an interesting cultural experience in the name of getting a little sleep. From historical luxury hotels to funky hostels, here are a few of the best hotels in Tokyo.
Related: The Best Micro Hotels Around the World
The Best Tokyo Hotels: 10 Unique Lodging Options in Japan's Capital City
1. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Chinzanso is the ultimate five-star Tokyo refuge. It’s located in a place where Japan’s elite politicians and thinkers have gathered for centuries. Without leaving the grounds, you can sample the best of Japanese culture, including a meal in one of the hotel’s nine onsite restaurants, a soak in its onsen (hot spring bath), or a treatment at the spa—it’s the biggest in Tokyo. But the real star here is the garden with its 12th-century pagoda. Four times an hour, mist is released into the gardens to create a stunning “Sea of Clouds” effect, highlighting the grounds’ otherworldly beauty.
Courtesy Image
2. Henn na Hotel
If Japan’s reputation for the futuristic is what you’re after, the robots at Henn na Hotel in Ginza have you covered. The front desk is staffed by eerily lifelike robots, each one capable of assisting guests in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese. Robots also assist with housekeeping: The closets in the hotel’s rooms can steam clean your clothes. And if you’re really craving more robot face time, make sure to visit the Henn na Café in Shibuya to caffeinate with the help of a robotic arm that makes drinks.
Courtesy Image
3. BnA Hotel
Ready for a truly unique stay? BnA (that’s short for “bed and art”) offers artist-designed rooms across several locations in Tokyo. Each lodging is designed by a local artist who earns a percentage for every stay booked. From a moody neon and chain-link atmosphere to gaming tributes, there’s a room for every personality at a price that’s comparable to most of the city’s larger home rentals.
Courtesy Image
4. Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi
If you want ultimate luxury, the Four Seasons should be your first stop. The hotel is located just a stone’s throw from Tokyo Station and guests can arrange complimentary greeting services, meaning everything will be taken care of from the moment you step off the train. Once on the property, take a break and sample a French-Japanese fusion tasting menu at the Michelin-starred restaurant est, spring for a couples’ massage, or have the hotel staff arrange a city tour for you. If you’re hesitant to leave, just know there’s also a Four Seasons in Kyoto—and with the Four Seasons’ special twin-city stay package, you can visit both cities in one trip.
Courtesy Image
5. Manga Art Hotel
While Tokyo has a reputation as an expensive vacation spot, the city does have good budget lodging options, too. And given Japanese standards of cleanliness, they’re likely to be much more welcoming than the cheap motels you’ve encountered in America. For a memorable hostel experience, Manga Art Hotel will offer you something else Stateside establishments won’t: all the manga comics you can read (in both Japanese and English). Pay a visit to the hotel’s in-house private sauna and then read yourself to sleep in your dorm every night. Every title is for sale, so you also might leave with some of the best souvenirs of your trip.
Courtesy Image
6. OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka
OMO5 has such a comfy loft bed and a workspace design so sleek, you won’t be left counting square footage. The hotel also offers a complimentary one-hour walking tour where local guides (called “rangers”) will show you the best places to eat, drink, soak in local culture, and party in the Otsuka neighborhood, an area that straddles the line between old and new Tokyo. But thanks to its relaxed lobby, which boasts dining options and regular DJ nights, you also won’t have to go far to experience a night out.
Courtesy Image
7. Hotel Gracery
Yes, Hotel Gracery is an upscale hotel located in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most central neighborhoods. But let’s be honest—you’re booking it for the geek factor. Every hour during the day (until 8 p.m.) the Godzilla head located on the property springs to life, letting out loud roars, performing an angry light show, and threatening to unleash its rage on the city. Ready to see how the rest of the attack plays out? Special Godzilla view rooms offer a super-secret bonus experience (the hotel won’t reveal any details)—perfect for living out all your kaiju fantasies.
Courtesy Image
8. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Here’s another Godzilla tie-in: Keio Plaza was featured the 1984 film The Return of Godzilla. But even without Japan’s most famous monster, the city’s first skyscraper hotel still offers a memorable luxury experience for travelers. With an impressive fifteen restaurants, you could eat all your meals on-site—and each one would be served with impressive consistency and attention to detail. Unfortunately, the hotel’s spa is mainly dedicated to the ladies. But from June to September, everyone can enjoy the outdoor pool—a rare amenity in Tokyo.
Courtesy Image
9. Hoshinoya Tokyo
Japan’s bathing culture is strong, and devotees claim it can cure almost any illness. Visitors can experience it at Hoshinoya’s luxury ryokan. Traditionally, a ryokan is a family-run hotel with a hot spring, but this hotel’s take on the genre features an onsen on every floor, communal lounges, and award-winning design.
Courtesy Image
10. Park Hyatt Tokyo
Take a travel tip from Bill Murray and book a stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. The hotel’s New York Grill hasn’t changed much since it was featured in Lost in Translation, but the iconic watering hole is only the start of the luxury hotel’s offerings. Located at the top of the Shinjuku Park Tower, the hotel has jaw-dropping views of the city; in addition to gazing out the windows from the bar, you can also take in the sights from the impressive pool area. (For an additional fee, guests can also access day spa facilities.) And if you’re thirsty—but don’t feel like pondering the meaning of life Coppola-style—great news: You’re a short walk away from Golden Gai, a neighborhood filled with tiny bars and micro diners. It’s the city’s most iconic drinking area.
Courtesy Image
Comments
Post a Comment