This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Tokyo.
Tokyo is Japan's huge, busy and hectic capital city. It's a cool mix of traditional life and ultramodern ways, including neon-lit skyscrapers with historic temples hidden amongst them.
There are many, many things to see here. From incredible nightlife, to peaceful parks in the midst of the city. You can also explore the museums, and stuff yourself silly with delicious Japanese food.
Here are some things to be aware of before you begin your journey.
Did we forget something? Let us know in the Travel Tips section below.
Let's explore...
Hostels in Tokyo + Areas to Stay
Guess what? There are over 150 hostels in Tokyo...!! Yep, the Tokyo hostelworld is huge. From cheap hostels in Tokyo, to great backpackers Tokyo has to offer - there is something for everyone.
The mega-city of Tokyo is divided into several suburbs, which are almost cities themselves. You can find a wide range of Tokyo hostel options in every suburb and you may want to choose a hostel which is close to whatever you are interested in since traveling from one suburb to another can take some time.
What is the best area for a tourist to stay in Tokyo?
Hostels in the more central suburbs tend to be quite expensive compared to what you might to be used to, so if you plan to stay for a longer period of time or are on a budget, you might consider looking for a hostel in an adjacent but more outlying suburb.
For example, in Taitō-ku or Taito City is around 10 minutes outside Tokyo central, so not too far away. Hostels are cheaper here. A good choice in this area is Oak Hostel Zen.
Sumida City is another option, next to Taito. We recommend Khaosan World Ryogoku.
If time is an issue, you should stick with a more central city centre location.
Shinjuku City is where you'll find buzzing clubs and neon-lit KTV rooms, upscale accommodation and cool bars. Central Youth Hostel Tokyo is a popular Tokyo hostel Shinjuku.
With so many hostels to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming.
Here is a list of the 10 better known and popular hostels you might consider:
- Emblem Hostel Nishiarai - weekly activities
- Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Station - modern design
- Space Hostel Tokyo - rooftop terrace
- Bunka Hostel Tokyo - cool pod beds
- Sadou Hostel Tokyo Ueno - free breakfast + central
- Wise Owl Hostels Shibuya - stylish party hostel
- Sakura Hostel Asakusa - onsite cafe
- Grids Tokyo Akihabara Hostel - quiet rest
- Imano Tokyo Hostel - great for female solo travellers
- Kaisu Hostel - traditional Japanese vibe
These are just a tiny proportion of the best hostels in Tokyo, remember.
Are there hostels in Tokyo suitable for digital nomads? Absolutely! Check out Nui Hostel Tokyo.
What about hostels Tokyo amenities?
You'll quickly notice that Tokyo hostels love pod beds - a huge percentage of hostels offer them!
Free Wifi is typically on offer, rating and reviews and are super strong and private rooms are rediculously homely. It's also usual to have access to laundry facilities and luggage storage at either end of your stay.
Khaosan Hostel Group
Just a quick shout out to this hostel group that offers many outstanding hostels across Tokyo. Honestly, if you want luxury, excellent staff and service, plus hotel cleanliness, we highly recommend staying in at least one of their hostels.
There are, in fact, 6 hostels in this city. Our favourites are:
Getting around Tokyo
Most likely you'll arrive at Haneda International Airport.
The easiest and cheapest way to reach the city from here is to take Keikyu Railway, which is around a 15 minute train ride. It's also possible to take a bus, taxi or monorail.
Getting around can be a little confusing to visitors. Get a map and ask for directions at a ticket booth. It is also a good idea to get a detailed street map since smaller streets do not have names and it can be difficult to orient yourself.
If you get lost trying to find your hostel in Tokyo, the Japanese are eager to help you find your way, but be aware that they might even be too friendly to tell you that they do not know where to go. So you might want to get a second or third opinion to make sure they didn't point you in the wrong direction.
Must See Sights of Tokyo
Once you've sorted a place to stay and dropped your bags, it's time to explore the sights of Toyko. And with it being a humongous city; there is much to see!
When visiting this Japanese city, there are all of these awesome sights to visit:
- Edo Tokyo Museum
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Meiji Shinto Shrine & woods
- Imperial Palace
- Tokyo Skytree & Tokyo Tower
- Meiji Jingu
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Ueno Park
- Senso-ji
This is no way an exhaustive list - Tokyo is huge, remember! In our FAQ section below you can discover the best way to spend 4 days in this city. We recommend 3-5 days to properly explore and get a feel for Tokyo.
FAQs about Japan Hostels Tokyo
Are hostels in Tokyo safe?
Overall, Tokyo is a very safe destination, including hostels. Here are some tips for hostel safety around the world.
What are some hostel recommendations for visiting Tokyo in April?
April is typically quite busy in Tokyo as it is cherry blossom season. So, we recommend staying in a hostel a little outside of the city. Also, make sure you book hostels in advance to avoid disappointment. Helpful article: When to book hostels?
What are some inexpensive places to stay in Toyko Japan?
This might be a little obvious, but... hostels! Scroll up and use the filter tool for discovering cheap hostels in Tokyo Japan.
What should I do with 4 days in or around Tokyo?
The Bamboo Traveler has put together a wonderful itinerary on how to spend 4 perfect days in Tokyo.
Where can I park my bike in Toyko?
There are 'parking lots' all around Tokyo city, especially by train stations. It's important to make sure you park your bike in an allocated place as Japan is quite strict about this. As long as you see other bikes parked, it's usually safe. Here's a useful step-by-step guide on how (not) to park your bike by Kimi.
What are some good hostels near Tokyo Station?
We recommend staying at the aptly named Train Hostel Hokutosei (budget) or DJ Hostel Ginza (good for early departures).
Written by local enthusiast for Tokyo hostels
Mona
