It is hard to know where to really begin with a city the size of Tokyo. The urban sprawl seems interminable, the cool neighbourhoods decentralised and the time insufficient to cover everything. However if it’s time you have plenty of and economics are an issue, then cheap hostels are relatively abundant in the Japanese capital city.
Of the numerous hostels in Tokyo, we have abridged the list settling on the top seven based on a number of aspects including, but not limited to, price, location, amenities and whether or not a breakfast is provided. Previous guest reviews can also be a good general guide to how things are going at each spot in recent months, and these too have been taken into consideration.
Backpacker’s Mini House
Dorms from $31/ night
Popular with guests, this hostel has a homely feel, more like staying in somebody’s house than a more commercial hostel. This is a great spot for people who want a more peaceful hostel experience. Rooms are separated by gender and come with air conditioning and free wifi. Hair dryers are available too. Beds are comfortable. There are a couple of major theatres a short walk away from the property, making this a good choice for experiencing Japanese culture.
Kaisu
Dorms from $36/ night
Kaisu is an excellent hostel with a modern minimalist design that feels fresh and clean. Dorm rooms vary in size but contain ten beds or less. The beds themselves are excellent; they have their own curtains which, when drawn, turn your bed into a secluded cubicle for added privacy. Pleasant communal areas include a lounge area and onsite restaurant, coffee shop and bar; perfect for staying in and getting some rest or meeting other people and exploring the city.
Zabutton Hostel
Dorms from $33/ night
With a metro station just minutes away and some good onsite facilities, Zabutton Hostel is generally regarded to have comfy beds and friendly staff. The hostel’s common areas include a restaurant, sun deck and game room. Rooms are basic and there are pull down blinds on the side of the beds to offer a little extra privacy for anybody in a lower bunk. The hostel also offers free wifi, a tour desk and a laundry service for when that clean clothing supply is dwindling.
Centurion Hostel Residential Cabin Tower
Dorms from $26/ night
Warm décor lends Centurion Hostel a welcoming air. All rooms at the hostel have a shared bathroom, air conditioning and a flatscreen TV (naturally to be used with respect for roommates). This hostel has a classically Japanese twist: The beds are capsules. As with all good capsule rooms, you can have complete privacy, store your things in lockers, and find a plug socket and TV screen inside the capsule. Breakfast is available for an additional fee.
Imano Tokyo hostel
Dorms from $29/ night
Dorms at the Imano Tokyo Hostel hold between six and ten people, but there are also a couple of private room options available here as well. Rooms are air conditioned and have free wifi. Bathrooms are shared. Beds are of a decent size and have curtains for privacy. There is an onsite restaurant and a shared kitchen for those who prefer to cook for themselves. Breakfast is also available for an additional fee. The front desk is open 24 hours a day.
Book Tea Bed Azabu-Juban
Dorms from $31/ night
Another uniquely Japanese style hostel is the Book Tea Bed incarnation. In this case, book lovers may end up staying quite a while. Book cases are actually built into the side of the beds in some dorms, not only providing privacy but also a wealth of reading material before bed. There are mixed and single sex dormitories, a bar and a 24 hour front desk for anybody who manages to leave the books behind and venture out into the maelstrom of Tokyo.
Bnbplus Yotsuya
Dorms from $22/ night
For a hostel called bnbplus there’s a conspicuous absence of that second b. Naming snafus aside however, this hostel does at least get the bed aspect right. Beds and bathrooms are modern and well-appointed. Space however is at a bit of a premium here and many of the rooms lack lockers. For anybody familiar with Japan, petty crime is less common than in many other big cities worldwide. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen of course, but for anybody looking for more security for their belongings, consider trying one of the other six places on this list first.