Tips for Choosing Accommodations in Tokyo
This was originally part of my Accommodations post, but seeing as it got too long, I'm using it as a separate entry. Yay! More blog posts!
So, how to choose where to stay? Here's what I think:
1. Choose a place near a railway station.
Wherever you decide to visit, my key recommendation, owing to the nation's advanced, extensive, and hugely efficient transportation system, is to stay near a railway station. If you are near one, you can basically get anywhere. An added plus is that Yamanote Line (the train that goes around Tokyo) stations usually have affordable dining options nearby.
2. Map out your itinerary and see where you find yourself spending the most time in!
Railway tickets can get pricey--the minimum you'll pay for a stop on Tokyo's Yamanote Line is 130Y or about 65PHP--so it might also be best to map out the exact tourist spots you plan on seeing, or seeing more of, and look for a good place to stay nearby. For example, when we're in Tokyo, my husband and I tend to favor Ueno in Taito Ward because our usual hotel there is about a 10-15 minute walk to Akihabara (for him) and a 5-minute walk to Ueno Park and the market area of Ameyoko/Okachimachi (for me). Some of our friends prefer the area near Ikebukuro Station on the western side for its proximity to Otome Road. Most foreigners like staying in Roppongi and Shinjuku or Shibuya for the nightlife. Staying in an area where you find yourself spending more time in will save time and help keep transport costs low, although, naturally, weigh it also with the price of the hotel room.
3. Cheap is not always better!
Last April, I met a fellow traveler who told me their travel agency booked them a hotel near the airport in Narita because it was cheap. (Look up the prices of accommodations there and you'll see that, yes, they are cheaper than the ones near the city center, but not as cheap as to be incomparable. I'm sorry, did that make sense?) This wouldn't be a problem if you mean to just tour the surrounding area. But if your main goal is the meaty part of Tokyo, it's about an hour away by train, so you have distance, time, and transport fare to contend with. The train stations also have closing hours. Anyway, long story short, they missed the last train* and were forced to take a taxi. They spent about 10000Yen or about 5000PHP. (I couldn't stop myself from wincing.) In the end, they ended up spending more despite getting a cheaper room.
*By the way, if this ever happens and you somehow miss the train going back, it's better to stay in the city and find yourself a 24 hr cafe or a capsule hotel to spend the night in. We don't suggest taking a cab, unless you can really afford it--flag down rate is 660Yen.
4. Book months beforehand.
I must also mention that making reservations beforehand is essential if you want to get a good deal. Japan is expensive, yes, but it can be manageable if you make preparations way in advance, because there are a lot of tourists, and most of them are local. Knowing that, it will also be helpful if you're aware of their holidays or special dates. Travel starts to pick up in March when Spring begins late in the month. The first few days of May constitute Golden Week. Places get full in summer when school is let out around July and during the Obon Festival in August. It winds down by the start of Autumn around September/October. Hotel fees have been found to be (relatively) cheaper during winter.
For reference, I tend to peg our accommodation costs to between 1000-2000PHP/person a night, and then adjust depending on factors. You can get a decent twin or semi-double to double room for upwards of 3000PHP in business hotels. For solo travelers, single rooms can cost 2000PHP-up, but we recommend also exploring other options such as hostels, guesthouses and capsule hotels with shared baths which go for 1000PHP-below. Groups can try out AIRBNB.
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So far I've only been to two other key places in Japan--Osaka, and Kyoto--and these tips can also apply to those cities, and I'm assuming, to similarly big cities in the country. Although, still do your research! I suggest checking out Japan-Guide and my friend's site, Magnetic-rose.net, for more information!
So, how to choose where to stay? Here's what I think:
1. Choose a place near a railway station.
Wherever you decide to visit, my key recommendation, owing to the nation's advanced, extensive, and hugely efficient transportation system, is to stay near a railway station. If you are near one, you can basically get anywhere. An added plus is that Yamanote Line (the train that goes around Tokyo) stations usually have affordable dining options nearby.
2. Map out your itinerary and see where you find yourself spending the most time in!
Railway tickets can get pricey--the minimum you'll pay for a stop on Tokyo's Yamanote Line is 130Y or about 65PHP--so it might also be best to map out the exact tourist spots you plan on seeing, or seeing more of, and look for a good place to stay nearby. For example, when we're in Tokyo, my husband and I tend to favor Ueno in Taito Ward because our usual hotel there is about a 10-15 minute walk to Akihabara (for him) and a 5-minute walk to Ueno Park and the market area of Ameyoko/Okachimachi (for me). Some of our friends prefer the area near Ikebukuro Station on the western side for its proximity to Otome Road. Most foreigners like staying in Roppongi and Shinjuku or Shibuya for the nightlife. Staying in an area where you find yourself spending more time in will save time and help keep transport costs low, although, naturally, weigh it also with the price of the hotel room.
3. Cheap is not always better!
Last April, I met a fellow traveler who told me their travel agency booked them a hotel near the airport in Narita because it was cheap. (Look up the prices of accommodations there and you'll see that, yes, they are cheaper than the ones near the city center, but not as cheap as to be incomparable. I'm sorry, did that make sense?) This wouldn't be a problem if you mean to just tour the surrounding area. But if your main goal is the meaty part of Tokyo, it's about an hour away by train, so you have distance, time, and transport fare to contend with. The train stations also have closing hours. Anyway, long story short, they missed the last train* and were forced to take a taxi. They spent about 10000Yen or about 5000PHP. (I couldn't stop myself from wincing.) In the end, they ended up spending more despite getting a cheaper room.
*By the way, if this ever happens and you somehow miss the train going back, it's better to stay in the city and find yourself a 24 hr cafe or a capsule hotel to spend the night in. We don't suggest taking a cab, unless you can really afford it--flag down rate is 660Yen.
4. Book months beforehand.
I must also mention that making reservations beforehand is essential if you want to get a good deal. Japan is expensive, yes, but it can be manageable if you make preparations way in advance, because there are a lot of tourists, and most of them are local. Knowing that, it will also be helpful if you're aware of their holidays or special dates. Travel starts to pick up in March when Spring begins late in the month. The first few days of May constitute Golden Week. Places get full in summer when school is let out around July and during the Obon Festival in August. It winds down by the start of Autumn around September/October. Hotel fees have been found to be (relatively) cheaper during winter.
For reference, I tend to peg our accommodation costs to between 1000-2000PHP/person a night, and then adjust depending on factors. You can get a decent twin or semi-double to double room for upwards of 3000PHP in business hotels. For solo travelers, single rooms can cost 2000PHP-up, but we recommend also exploring other options such as hostels, guesthouses and capsule hotels with shared baths which go for 1000PHP-below. Groups can try out AIRBNB.
--
So far I've only been to two other key places in Japan--Osaka, and Kyoto--and these tips can also apply to those cities, and I'm assuming, to similarly big cities in the country. Although, still do your research! I suggest checking out Japan-Guide and my friend's site, Magnetic-rose.net, for more information!
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