Where to stay in Tokyo
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Sep 5, 2012 6:41 AM Last Post By: UmamiDearest
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Where to stay in Tokyo
HiWe're a bunch of people going to Tokyo for 10 days in november. None of us have ever been to Japan before so we are all very excited, and have a ton of stuff planned, all probably pretty standard tourist stuff. As Tokyo is such a huge city,I was wondering if anyone could give an inside opinion on what area to stay in, should we look into hotels in Shinjuku, Shibuja or somewhere else? Anyone have a list of the pros/cons of each area? I've been reading up on the different districts on Wikitravel, but it would be nice to get a bit more specific advice ;)
We're planning a trip to Kyoto as well, should we get a rail-pass?
One person in our party is a huge fan of Hayao Miyazaki, so we're thinking of going to the Studio Ghibli Museum. Have anyone been, and will it be worth the hassle of getting tickets?
Thanks in advance for the help :)
1
If budget is the main priority I'd look at the Asakusa area which has most of the cheap hostels in Tokyo.If budget is not all that essential I'd stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya which has more action.
Anywhere within range of the Yamanote Line circle (this includes Asakusa/Shinjuku/Shibuya) is central, so as for ease of transportation the area you stay in does not really matter as long as it is within that circle (plus minus 2 kilometers or so)
Basically I'd base my choice of accommodation on:
1. budget (see above)
2. distance to nearest train/subway station
3. action (if it is important to you to sleep near it)
We're planning a trip to Kyoto as well, should we get a rail-pass?
If you travel Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo within a one week period and can add at least one more longish train ride on JR such as to the airport, the one week railpass starts paying off. Use hyperdia.com to compare individual ticket costs with the price of the rail pass.
2
Not many hotels in Shibuya, but there are heaps in Shinjuku.Shinjuku is also the most convenient station to stay at.
I stayed at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza there once. I think it was about 13,000 per twin room per night and it was right next to the station.
3
Stay around Ebisu. It's a magic area, filled with GREAT restaurants and expat friendly places just a 5' walk from Shibuya. You will not regret the choice, believe me. It's also well comunicated as both JR Yamanote and Hibiya metro line stop at Ebisu station, plus really close to urban hubs of coolness like Nakameguro.Take a walk around the Meguro river and go for dinner in one of the many restaurants, you won't regret.
4
Ebisu is not a 5-foot walk from Shibuya, nor is it five minutes. As far as I can tell there are only three hotels in the area - the rather expensive Westin Hotel and two small business hotels.Shibuya, on the other hand, has lots of hotels in all price ranges, and it seems like a much better place to stay than Shinjuku, in my opinion - it's lively without being quite so hectic and super-crowded.
6
That's because you don't know where to go.In Ebisu WEST exit there are two izakaya streets with tones of restaurants. Just walk up the hill and there you are in the middle of Daikanyama. Head South and you hit Nakameguro with all its cute restaurants, bars and stores along the river.
Have you been to the lounge in Daikanyama T-site? Tried any of the cafés (pancake, waffles a.s.o.) around Daikanyama station?
From Shibuya South exit to Ebisu west , along meiji dōri is 10-15min
I see mant business hotels around, guess those don't pop up in the internet.
Anyway, stay in Shibuya but don't miss a walk around the hip area of town.
7
Perhaps. Admittedly I go mostly for the Photo Museum in the ultra sterile garden place, and have less reason to go there since Good day books moved to Gotanda, but I've had several disappointing eating experiences there. I'll keep an open mind though and have a more thorough look around next time.8
Ah, yes, that would explain the sterile part (Yebisu Garden Place in general, not the photography museum in particular). Outside YGP, Ebisu actually has one of the best restaurant scenes in Tokyo, IMHO.
