Cheap stays in Tokyo

obenix · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Everywhere

For budget travelers, this thread is a must-read...:)
Here are 3 places that you can stay while in Tokyo... cheap by budget travelers standards...

1. Tokyo International Youth Hostel (www.tokyo-yh.jp/eng/e_top.html)
This hostel is located right in the city and beside the Iidabashi Station. Very convenient for backpackers and Japanese citizens alike. Clean and friendly environment, the going rate is Y3500 a night (for one bed in a room of 8). Breakfast is at Y400 and dinner at Y900. They have an "onsen" bath that you can enjoy. This hostel is highly recommended although they have a policy of maximum 3 nights stay (you can request for more nights depending on availability).

2. New Koyo Hotel (www.newkoyo.com)
This is indeed a backpackers joint. Prices starts from Y2500 a night for a small single room. Believe me, this is as small as it can get. You get a bed and a pathway. That's all. Of course, TV is in the room, showers are shared, kitchen available for light cooking. The neighbourhood is not to great as it is located somewhere in the ourskirts of Tokyo. Nearest subway is Minowa Station. You get a good mix of residents here. The staff is friendly and helpful and speaks English. There is an Internet connected PC for you to rent. Get yourself a bike at Y500 a day...

3. Skycourt Narita
More like a hotel. It has attached bathroom, TV and a bed all to yourself. If you are catching a flight home, the best bet is to stay closer to the airport. This hostel has airport transfers, so you don't have to worry about getting transportation.

I've stayed in all these places. There are other accomodations that you can search on your own; e.g. capsule hotels, other Tokyo hostels. http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

If you pick up a copy of the JR(Japan Rail) timetable, the book-type, which costs abot $3, there are dozens of inexpensive ryokans(inns) and business hotels(no-frills hotels) listed in the back. I usually stay at one of those places, as Tokyo is so big and public transport comes to a halt after midnight, so I opt for a place to stay in close proximity to where I will be partying that night. Bear in mind that a lot of the cheapies have a sort of curfew (you might ask them "Mongen wa nanji?"= "When's the curfew?") lest you be locked out. This has happened to me on many an occasion. The owners sometimes get pretty upset if their foreign guests come straggling in during the wee hours... :oops: