Hi all, I’m planning my first trip to Japan next month. I’ll be arriving in the morning of Nov. 23 and staying for 6 nights until Nov. 29. I have stayed in a lot of hostels across Europe, but I find myself overwhelmed with where to stay in Tokyo. I am 23F and strongly prefer female dorms. A lot of hostels that I’ve seen recommended on this sub closed down due to the pandemic, which is a bummer. I have a few questions:
1) Based on what I’ve read, Shinjuku or Shibuya are the places to stay to get that “big city” feel. I’ve seen Nui hostel come highly recommended, but it’s on the side of the city that’s by the river, as are a lot of hostels. Will it be inconvenient for me to stay on that side of the city rather than Shinjuku/Shibuya?
2) I’ve seen the Grid Hostel also recommended, but I’m a bit wary of, say, a 40-room dorm. Granted, they are capsules, but will it still be too much? I’ve also read that people say that there are a lot of long-termers staying there. Has anyone stayed at the Shibuya location, and had any issues?
3) I’ve also seen a lot of comments on the atmosphere, or lack thereof, in hostels. In Europe, the social vibes were really great, but maybe it’s culturally different in Japan. As a solo traveller, I’d really love to make new friends. Will I have difficulty doing this in Tokyo in general? Any “social” hostels?
4) Finally: the hostels that I’ve been considering come out to about $240 USD for 6 nights. For that price, will I be better off just getting an Airbnb? I usually stay in hostels because of the social factor, but if that isn’t going to come into play in Japan, I might as well get a place to myself?
Looking forward to everyone’s input. Thank you 🙂
P.S. WiseOwl Shibuya also came recommended, but it appears they were booked out for my dates. 🙁
8 comments
I will be going on the 23rd of December, and i chose to stay in a capsule hotel called First Cabin Ichigaya, maybe you can check it out ? Its a capsule hotel but its a bit spacious for a capsule and also its kinda in the middle of Tokyo 🗼
I’m currently on my way there and I’m posting this on a layover.
What about the Manga Art Hotel in Akihabara, it segregates floor by gender.
Just booked it yesterday and it cost 18.5 dollars per day. That’s pretty cheap.
hostels and airbnbs can often be overpriced, for the same money you can get a small little apartment, just make sure to find something that doesnt require key money and all those fees they add on. Jimoti and craigslist has some short term rental places too. (Daily price).
Owl hotel in Nippori – bit out of the way, but good access to yamanote line and has an owl.
Manga art Hotel- akihabara. Not actually in akihabara, in kanda, but great nonetheless. Would recommend.
Book and bed, kabukicho great, loved it.
Staying in Unplan Shinjuku soon.
Maybe you could stay half in one hostel and half in another. First time I went to Japan, I booked a hostel for about two weeks, but found it much better to switch it up every now and then. Hostel Chapter Two in Asakusa looks nice.
I’d go for a capsule hotel if I were you. You will have a more private experience than in a big room with multiple other guests and the dorms are gender-segregated. Nine hours Suidobashi is 176 euros for 6 nights and if you want a more luxurious stay I can recommend The Millennials in Shibuya. There you will have a full-sized bed but it’s 434 euros.
Stay at The Millenials Shibuya and bring ear plugs. It has the best location. My first time in Tokyo, I stayed at a hostel in Taito and it was a pain to commute across the city.
Edit: Also take a look at hostels around Yoyogi-Hachiman/Uehara and Shimo-kitazawa. Still pretty good locations imo.
I’ve never been to hostel in Europe.
But most hostels I’ve stayed at have been social. Sometimes you have to start the conversation but that it.
unfortunately I really don’t have any recommendations. I always stayed at the Space Hostel in Tokyo but its closed down due to Covid.
I’m leaving for Japan today and I’m staying at Bedgasm.