Japan is an explosion of culture and there are endless ways to explore it. I was truly amazed by their creativity and presentation of themes, colors, and details everywhere I went from restaurants to hotels. In particular, the array of accommodations was vast and staying there was truly an experience.
Japan has a reputation for being expensive, especially in Tokyo, but there are affordable accommodation options in the minimalist culture. You can find a bed as cheap as USD 18 per night (or less for basic accommodation)! They offer everything from hotels to hostels, and there are plenty of capsule accommodations. You can even sleep in a bookshelf or an indoor tent! I had always heard about their unique accommodation choices and I decided to try them out on my recent trip to Japan.
I literally changed accommodation every few days and it required some effort, but it was totally worth experiencing this part of Japanese culture. It was also an advantage to experience different parts of town which helped me have a better scope of the city. Most of the hype happens in Tokyo so this article features hotels mostly from the city and Osaka as well. I included details such as location, dormitory price, and check-in time as this always helps me in my search. Here are my top choices for places to stay in Tokyo and Osaka if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
Book and Bed Tokyo
Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Price per night: USD 47 (¥4,860) per night, Check-in: 4PM
Who can say they slept in a bookshelf? Like, really! Book and Bed Tokyo is an accommodation for book lovers with the idea that you fall asleep reading your favorite books at this hotel. They describe themselves as an “accommodation bookshop” (although they don’t sell books). The place looks like a small library with a long bookshelf filled with a few thousand books in both English and Japanese; books also decorate the ceiling. You can creep inside your bookshelf for rest and sleep, or lay on their super comfy couches with your favorite book and a cup of tea.
Your bed in the bookshelf comes with all the essentials like a mat, pillow, blanket, and a reading light. There is also a locker inside the bookshelf for your personal use. Book and Bed’s website states not to expect comfort, but I had a peaceful sleep and everything was clean. The location of the hotel is also near the Ikebukuro subway station and close to popular areas like Shinjuku, so it is easy to get around. Make sure to book your stay in advance as this hotel can fill up pretty quickly. I actually almost did not get an available bed, but luckily there was a cancellation and I got to experience sleeping in a bookshelf. 🙂
Customa Café/Netmaru
Various Locations
Price depends on time
Another alternative with a similar vibe is Customa Café, an internet and comics lounge available all over the city in areas like Ikebukuro or Ueno. You can chill for a couple of hours or get a private room and pay for the amount of time. This is a good option if you need a place to stay for a little while or to get some work done. Enjoy the comics, online games, and high speed internet or take a shower, do your laundry, and catch a snooze. On the other hand, you can try the Netmaru company which offers a similar experience as Customa Café. They have only a few locations including one in Tokyo and Osaka. Keep in mind that you may need help with booking in Japanese (in person, phone, or through their website).
Oak Hostel Cabin
Nihonbashi, Tokyo (other branches available)
Price per night: USD 25 (¥2,600), Check-in: 3pm
Oak Hostel Cabin is situated in a quiet part of town within easy access to the Suitengumae/Kayabacho subway stations and a few stops away from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. I was not impressed with the basic neighborhood but I was impressed with the hotel itself. I wanted to try sleeping in a capsule and the modern décor and elegance of the hotel caught my attention. The capsule was very clean with white sheets and blankets and each capsule comes equipped with air conditioning, which seems to be a challenge for a typical capsule accommodation. In addition, they had lockers and a spacious bathroom with enough stalls for all the peeps in the room.
Another one of my favorite things was a communal bathroom in the upstairs area, which allowed for more restroom choices. 😮 The showers were stocked with elegant toiletries of shampoo and conditioner. They also had a long mirror with multiple seating stations and bright lights where you could blow dry your hair, put on makeup, and get ready for the day. I found this very helpful because it’s challenging to have space to get ready in most hostels.
Some capsule accommodations require the guest to check in and check out each day of their booked stay, however, this was not the case for this hostel. The price for Oak Hostel Cabin fluctuates a lot online, so book all your days in advance to lock in a good price. I only booked one night and wanted to extend, but Oak Hostel Cabin did not want to honor my initial price. Luckily, a camp-style accommodation had caught my eye during my research.
Japonica Lodge – Hostel
Asakusa, Tokyo
Price per night: USD 18 (¥1,860), Check-in: 12PM
Japonica Lodge is located in the tourist-friendly area of Asakusa and is a one-minute walk from the subway station and near the popular area of Akihabara. The hostel is actually a camping store with a small showroom of tents, sleeping bags, and other camping necessities. The owner was clever to use the showroom as a hostel as well! Upon check-in, they let you choose your sleeping mat, pillow, and other camping gadgets.
You can book either a tent or sleeping bag as your bed. I chose the tent because it was more private (perhaps a bit warm though) and because a few bunk beds with the sleeping bag were very high that your head could easily touch the ceiling. Either way, it is an experience to stay at an indoor camp-style hostel where the floor is coated in grass and vines decorate the room. So cool!
Also, the camp shop sells authentic Japanese teas which is convenient and they also share some complimentary tea in the evenings. You can find camping supplies like lamps and lanterns to get around when the lights are out. I thought it was so cute to get around with my little lantern at night! If you do purchase camping gear from this hostel, your stay may perhaps be free.
Centurion Hotel Residential Cabin Tower
Akasaka, Tokyo (other branches available)
Price per night: USD 25 (¥2,600), Check-in: 2PM
If you walk by this bright red tower, it looks totally posh and upscale and it’s surprising that you can stay in their cabin rooms for an affordable price. Centurion Hotel Residential Cabin Tower is very professional and offers private rooms and cabin dormitories as well as plenty of perks. First, it is located a 3-minute walk from Akasaka subway station which is near the popular areas of Roppongi, Harajuku, and Shibuya. There is also a restaurant attached to the hotel for convenience and at reception, you can help yourself to the soft drink machine and free Chupa Chups pops! Of course I was in heaven because I love free stuff – who doesn’t? 😉
The rooms are also very elegant with bright red cabins or small pods and all the necessities. Each cabin comes with minimal air conditioning, a working television, and a sliding door for privacy. They provide a yukata (a traditional Japanese garment similar to a kimono) and slippers for each guest which really connected me to the Japanese culture and made the experience special. There are complimentary toiletries and items such as toothbrushes, razors, hair brushes, and hair ties. I felt like this hotel really knew how to tailor to their guests because you had everything that you needed.
Unplan Kagurazaka Hostel
Kagurazaka, Tokyo
Price per night: USD 35 (¥3,640), Check-in: 4PM
Unplan Kagurazaka Hostel is in a quiet neighborhood but only a minute walk from the Kagurazaka subway which can take you to the hype of Shinjuku rather quickly. The hostel appears elegant with a welcoming ambience and a lit-up bar and lounge upon entering. The hostel is brand new so everything is modern and clean. Their elevator takes you to your room and you must enter the door code to get inside.
The hostel room features bunk beds with curtains for privacy. They do not have lockers but they have a small lockable bed compartment that can fit a few small valuables. Unplan is not a party hostel but more of a chill place to hang out with friends at the bar and lounge. This is the best part of the hostel because it allows you to unwind after a long day in the convenience of your hostel.
Briller Sakura Hostel
Sakuragawa, Osaka
Price per night: USD 25 (¥2,600), Check-in: 3PM
Briller Sakura Hostel is located within reach of central Osaka. It is one subway station away or a 15-minute walk to the main area of Namba. I loved this hostel because it is managed by some awesome and down-to-earth guys. Before your arrival, the manager Ray emails you with highly detailed notes on how to reach the hostel and the guide is actually reliable. I was really impressed by the hostel reaching out to me and I had a feeling it was going to be a pleasant stay.
The hostel features rooms with multiple bunk beds but it feels private with each bed covered entirely in curtains for your own space. There is also a small chat area where you can relax on the comfy couches and enjoy the free snacks while meeting other travelers. The free breakfast and unlimited snacks were my favorite part about this hostel. Some hostels claim to have free snacks and offer a cookie or two, but Briller Sakura goes above and beyond. They have a fridge stocked full of water bottles, soft drinks, and even beer. The Doritos, Snickers, and multi-flavored Kit Kat bars were my favorite snacks. I found this so helpful after coming back from a long day of exploring to quench my thirst and satisfy my sweet tooth! I’m sure I gained a couple of pounds as well. 😉
Conclusion
These are my top choices for unique and affordable accommodation in Japan according to my personal experiences. I booked these hotels on both Expedia.com and Booking.com. Sometimes it is helpful to visit the hotel’s website or email the hotel to check availability, especially for popular accommodations like Book and Bed Tokyo. Take note that sleeping in a capsule, bookshelf, tent or any small space is uncomfortable for some people, but it is worth to try at least once! Check out these hotels and let me know what you think. 🙂
Note: The indicated average prices are for dormitory accommodation from 2016 and are subject to change.