6 Best Hotels in Tokyo: Where to Stay for a Good Trip

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So you’re planning a trip to Tokyo? Well then you probably want to choose to stay in one of the best hotels in Tokyo as well, though, with a city as large as Tokyo (the largest in fact), the options are a bit overwhelming! To date, I’ve stayed in Tokyo a collective of two weeks, and a total of three weeks across the country, and another trip coming up in a few months.

If you can’t tell, I love Japan.

It’s one of my favorite countries, tied for first with Mexico, and each time I visit I gain more of an appreciation for Japanese history, culture, and of course – FOOD.

With Tokyo being the jumping off point for so many travelers, it’s important to ease your way into the new destination and this post can at least help you narrow down some of the best hotels in Tokyo to best suit your needs!

Japanese Hotel FAQ

Now, I am a pretty simple traveler when it comes to accommodations. As long as I have a bed so sleep in, I’m good. And even then, for the right price I’d take a couch. But I will say there are a few unique traits to Japanese hotels that you might not find anywhere else in the world, and they may either charm you or…well, not.

Rooms are Small

I’ll get the most iffy one out of the way first. The hotel rooms in Japan are small. TINY in fact. Even the best hotels in Tokyo are not immune. If the rooms look “slightly larger than the others” online, don’t be shocked if your knees touch the wall when you sit up in bed. Much of Japan in GENERAL is compact to be space efficient. When booking your hotel, be sure to check the SIZE of the room so you aren’t caught off guard when your 17 suitcases don’t fit haha.

Pajamas are Included

This is more of a fun quirk, but all the best hotels in Tokyo (and even a lot of the ones that aren’t) will provide a pair of fresh pajamas for each guest. They will usually be found inside your room once you check in, and while they aren’t super luxurious, they get the job done. If you wear pajamas to bed.

I will note that the fit is designed for “Japanese standard” size, so depending on your size and/or body shape they may not fit comfortably. Or at all.

Japanese Toilets are ALSO Included

Now one of my all-time favorite things about Japanese are their fancy toilets, so you best believe the best hotels in Tokyo come with state-of-the-art smart toilets. I’m talking heated seats and at least 2 bidet settings. Some will even come with an air dryer for your bum and a white noise machine if you are sharing the room and get bowel movement shyness.

Speaking of bathroom tools, the bathtubs are also usually large and very deep. Like up to your NECK deep. It’s REALLY nice.

Traditionally Furnished

If you choose a western style, also known as “comfort hotels,” then you probably won’t come across many hotels in Tokyo that are traditionally furnished. But as you move away from Tokyo, you’ll find many more ryokans – or traditional Japanese inns. These are styled and furnished in a traditional fashion, with tatami mats and futon beds. Honestly, ryokans are some of the best hotels in Tokyo and Japan overall, but I only stayed in them in Kyoto.

Never walk on tatami mats with your outside shoes! And futon beds…well, they aren’t the most plush (heads up!), but keep an open mind if you’re suddenly surprised with them.

Best Hotels in Tokyo

The best hotels in Tokyo can vary on price based on the season you are traveling and which area of the city it is in. Again, Tokyo is a large city made up of essentially smaller cities like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, etc. There are pros and cons to each area, depending on your preference and travel style, but even if you don’t leave the area you are in, there will still be TONS to do.

Tokyo just is THAT GIRL.

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to get around this massive city with well-connected public transit and walkable neighborhoods. The following best hotels in Tokyo are all within a five-minute walk to the nearest subway or train station. Be sure to download the Suica card to your digital phone wallet to easily load money onto your transit card.

I personally have only stayed at a handful of hotels, so to make this blog post more helpful to you, I’ve asked some other travelers who have spent a good amount of time in Japan for their opinions on the best hotels in Tokyo. Here are the results!

Keio Plaza Hotel

area: Shinjuku

price range (per night): $350-$400 USD

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Contributed by: Heather from New Zealand Wanderer

Keio Plaza Hotel is in a fantastic location in the heart of Shinjuku, and an easy 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, making one of the best hotels in Tokyo just on convenience alone. Shinjuku is right on your doorstep with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops to explore. Plus, other popular areas such as Harajuku, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya are just a short train ride from the hotel.

From the moment you arrive, staff are very welcoming. Check-in is fast and efficient, and communicating in English is not an issue.The property has 45 floors and occupies an entire block. There are several high-quality restaurants and bars on-site, plus a convenience store, fitness room, outdoor pool and more. The Kagari restaurant offers fresh and delicious Japanese cuisine.

The hotel also provides several options for getting around including a complimentary shuttle bus service from the hotel to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. They offer private limousine tours that you can book for an additional cost, and there is a bike station located in the hotel where you can rent a bicycle to explore the area.

Additionally, you can book several special experiences at the hotel such as a Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in their beautiful tea ceremony room, a Kimono experience or a Japanese food experience.

The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable. You can book from several different room types, with the option to include breakfast and access to the exclusive Club Lounge.

KOKO HOTEL Premier Nihonbashi Hamacho

area: Nihonbashi

price range: $150-$250 USD

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This was my first hotel stay of my second trip to Japan and it just so happened to be one of the best hotels in Tokyo! It is located near two main train lines, but the actual location is on a pretty quiet street. When you check in, guests can grab a number of complimentary items that range from the basics like toothbrushes and hair bands to more luxurious items like rose bath salts and shaving cream.

The rooms are standard size for Japan (so small), but have a smart layout to make the most of the area. The lobby and common areas are bright with high ceilings, and the staff are super helpful in recommending some of the best restaurants in Tokyo – and the always have at least one fully fluent English speaker on staff to help with English-speaking guests.

The Nihonbashi neighborhood is suitable for visitors who prefer a calmer environment with not too much activity on the streets. The best things to do in Nihonbahshi are to stroll around and peak into the unique shops and boutiques that make up this quieter commercial area.

Blossom Hibiya

area: Shinbashi

price range: $250-$300 USD

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Contributed by: Roxanne from Faraway Worlds

The Blossom Hibiya is a modern, comfortable hotel in a safe and convenient part of Tokyo. The hotel is a short walk from Shimbashi Station, allowing guests to easily access different areas of Tokyo, including Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ueno. It makes an excellent base for seeing the main sites, eating local food (and drinking sake), and visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Within walking distance of the hotel, you’ll find the beautiful Hibiya Park, Yurakucho yakitori alley, and the upscale Ginza district. Many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues are easily accessible from the hotel, and the Imperial Palace is a scenic 20-minute walk away. The hotel itself is above an office building and has amazing views of the city.

As one of the best hotels in Tokyo, the rooms are modern and relatively spacious for Tokyo, although there’s still limited space for bags. The lights and air conditioning can be controlled via a tablet, and the bathrooms are modern, with good water pressure, toiletries and, of course, a high-tech Japanese toilet. There is an on-site restaurant that’s open for all meals, with good Japanese options, a bar, and a small gym. The staff are friendly, and there’s a workspace upstairs for guests with power points, tea and coffee available.

Across the road is a convenience store with a range of snacks, quick meals and drinks. There are also several izakaya, ramen bars, and other cheap eats in Tokyo near the hotel which are accessible for visitors without being touristy.

Hotel Gracery

area: Shinjuku

price range: $150-$200 USD

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Only a quick walk from Shinjuku Station, the most trafficked subway station in the WORLD, Hotel Gracery is definitely one of the best hotels in Tokyo when it comes to convenience. That, and there’s a giant Godzilla on top of the building.

Yeah, it’s that hotel, and it’s surprisingly nice for being so wacky on the outside! The concierge is multilingual concierge and the lobby has a currency exchange machine so guests from any country can be ready to explore right after checking in. My friend Cher from Wandering Redhead stayed here during her trip to Tokyo and really enjoyed it and would recommend it. Considering Cher has been to more countries than I can even count, I’d take her word on what makes Hotel Gracery one of the best hotels in Tokyo haha.

And yes, the Godzilla “performs” on the hour every hour. You’ll just have to stay there and find out what that means.

JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku

area: Shinjuku

price range: $250-$300 USD

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And speaking of Cher’s recommendations for best hotels in Tokyo, she also stayed in JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom. Also in Shinjuku, but in a much chiller location. However, it is just as convenient and close to all the amenities that Shinjuku has to offer. It’s perfect if you want to be in the center of the action, but be able to sleep soundly at night…without a Godzilla performance.

No shade, love the Godzilla personally.

Shinjuku is a very connected part of Tokyo, clearly, and was the jumping off point for me when I was exploring all the delicious Black owned restaurants in Tokyo. You get a bit more diversity in Shinjuku. You get a bit more wildness. A bit more free expression.

Arguably too free for some, but I digress.

The only downside compared to a few other hotels of this price point is that there is no gym. Buuuut you can get your steps in walking around Tokyo so is that REALLY a con??

Hotel Grand Bach Ginza

area: Ginza

price range: $200-$300 USD

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And last (for now) but not at ALL least, is Hotel Grand Bach, located in the Ginza area. If you’ve never been to Ginza, then you should know that if you’re looking for a luxurious and bougie experience, this hotel is one of the best hotels in Tokyo.

We decided to stay here for the last four days of our trip because the rooms are very large for Japan, and we wanted ample space to repack our overfilled suitcases. Ironically, because we were staying in Ginza with tons of cute shops, we just ended up buying more stuff to shove in the repacked suitcases.

Similar to the other properties on this list of best hotels in Tokyo, the service was fantastic and the hotel is very clean and chic. Every night there is a happy hour with complimentary snacks and the coolest little bar in the lobby that we opted to spend our night cap at instead of finding somewhere out and about. In terms of sightseeing, the hotel is close to Tsukiji market, one of the best things to do in Tokyo!

Conclusion: Best Hotels in Tokyo

And of course, as I continue my adventures in Japan, I will be adding to this list of the best hotels in Tokyo! Have you ever been to this beautifully fun and vibrant city? Do you have any suggestions that you think deserve the title of the best hotels in Tokyo? Let me know in the comments below!

If you’re traveling outside of Tokyo, check out my hotel suggestions for other cities:

• Best Resort in Fujiyoshida
• Best Ryokan in Kyoto
• Best Hotels in Osaka (coming soon)

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