The Best Places To Sleep In Tokyo

Mustard Hotel, Shimokitazawa (£)

Another affordable option, you’ll find Mustard Hotel in the cool neighbourhood of Shimokitazawa, known for its vintage clothing stores and small cafés. It attracts an eclectic mix of travellers who are drawn to its no-nonsense approach. Rooms are minimally designed and feature record players with a small vinyl selection, while the café and communal spaces are where you’ll meet other travellers. 

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Book And Bed, Shunjuku (£)

If you’re travelling to Japan on a budget, this is the city’s best hostel – though it’s no secret, as rooms fill up quickly. Single and double bunk beds are available in mixed dorms, with a nice selection of English and Japanese books on shelves, while superior rooms with king-sized beds offer more privacy. WiFi is free, there are ample storage lockers and there’s a small bar for sandos and hot drinks. Toiletries are also available to buy and the pyjama rental is a nice touch. 

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Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita, Setagaya (£)

For a boutique hotel experience, this onsen hotel encourages guests to relax away from the busy city outside. Offering excellent value for money, rooms are spacious and some have open-air baths on patios. Elsewhere, guests can bathe in the hot spring onsen filled with water from spa town Hakone, enjoy traditional Japanese breakfasts at the restaurant and relax with massages at the small spa. 

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Akihabara Bay Hotel, Akihabara (£)

The Japanese invented capsule hotels in the 70s to offer affordable accommodation in densely populated cities. Akihabara Bay Hotel is a female-only capsule hotel near Akihabara station. As you’d expect, facilities are basic, but pods have dimmable lighting, TVs and comfy single beds. There are storage facilities, communal areas and ATMs on site. 

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Muji Hotel, Ginza (££)

Japanese brand Muji, known for its functional homeware and clothing, has three hotels across Asia. The Tokyo property, just a short walk from Ginza’s designer stores, is home to the brand’s flagship store, where shoppers will find an extensive selection of products and guests will find the check-in desk. As you’d expect, rooms and communal areas are kitted out with Muji products, while the on-site restaurant reflects the brand’s simple ethos. 

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The Kitano, Chiyoda (££)

After a recent refurbishment, The Kitano is now part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection. Just a short walk from the Imperial Palace, there’s a relaxed atmosphere at the hotel – where friendly staff welcome guests into its serene atmosphere. Rooms are light and bright, with minimalist interiors and spacious bathrooms. You’ll want to head to the rooftop bar to enjoy sake or cocktails with great city views and dine at its French-Japanese fusion restaurant. 

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Bulgari Tokyo, Chuo City (£££)

A true feat of modern architecture, this hotel is spread across the top six floors of a skyscraper in Tokyo’s Yaesu district. The group’s Italian architect is behind the ultra-modern design: doors are concealed, archways are made from Italian and Japanese marble, and soft colours are complemented by clever lighting. Rooms and suites have breathtaking city views from the clouds, and there are dining options for every occasion and time of day, including an eight-person sushi counter, headed up by one of the country’s best sushi masters, Takuro Shimizu. The real highlight though is the spa, arguably the best in the city. It’s home to a 25m pool, sauna experiences, a rooftop terrace, and sleek changing facilities with Augustinus Bader products. Service is discreet yet attentive. 

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Mandarin Oriental, Chūō (£££)

Over the last 20 years, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has established itself as one of the top hotels in the city with its panoramic views and exciting, ever-evolving culinary offering. Now, guests are drawn in by its award-winning sushi restaurant and pizzeria – now widely regarded as one of the best in the world. On the 34th floor, the spa combines eastern and western practices with extensive treatments. The brilliant concierge team can book everything from day trips to Mt Fuji to tours of the nearby neighbourhoods. 

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Trunk Hotel, Shibuya (£££)

Trunk Hotel is a beautifully designed eco-friendly, boutique property with just 15 rooms. On trendy Cat Street, in between Shibuya and Harajuku, the hotel has some of the best interiors on this list, with custom-made and vintage furniture on every floor. The property is designed with socialising in mind, featuring numerous communal areas for lounging or working, as well as a lively open café and bar for matcha lattes and cocktails. For a blow-the-budget trip, the group also has a one-bed property in Shinjuku, complete with butlers, private dining and a hidden karaoke room. 

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Hoshinoya Tokyo, Chiyoda (£££)

This ultra-luxe ryokan is a perfect example of Japanese tradition that’s been brought into the 21st century. There are six rooms on each floor, all with minimalist Japanese interiors, alongside a traditional tradochanoma which is connected via a tatami-matted corridor. Guests are encouraged to meditate, reflect and help themselves to an array of tea. On the top floor, there’s an onsen with natural salt water supplied from nearby natural springs, where guests can bathe in their own mini hot tub. 

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Aman Tokyo, Otemachi (£££)

Bucket list trips should always start with a night at an Aman hotel, and the ultra-luxe group’s Tokyo hotel is up there. Hidden behind sprawling greenery in the Otemachi district, the whole building has minimalist Japanese décor, with serene staff who guide you from one peaceful room to the next. The 84 rooms reflect Aman’s signature style, featuring natural materials like wood, stone, and washi paper, while the spa is home to onsen-style baths, steam rooms and a 30m pool with panoramic skyline views. 

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Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, Otemachi (£££)

This Four Seasons hotel occupies the top six floors of the Otemachi One Tower. 190 rooms and suites offer some of the best views of the Imperial Palace and Mount Fuji of any hotel in the city. The spa with its 67 ft heated indoor pool, offers magical views, especially at sunset. If you’re not staying, it’s worth visiting its French restaurant, Est, where diners enjoy multi-course meals featuring dishes that showcase classic French technique with quality Japanese ingredients.

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Janu Tokyo, Minato (£££)

Aman’s sibling brand Janu recently opened its first hotel in Tokyo's upmarket shopping area, Azabudia Hills. As with Janu’s other properties, the focus is on wellness – the 4,000 sq m spa is one of the biggest in the city. Its wellness centre has multiple movement spaces, including areas for boxing and spin, plus a recovery room with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. You’ll also find hydrotherapy pools, thermal areas and two private spa houses with plunge pools, a steam bath and hammam. Elsewhere, spacious, light-filled suites have views of Eiffel Tower-esque Tokyo Tower, while the hotel’s five restaurants cater to a diverse clientele. 

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