Found a way to get a cheap bed in Tokyo without a hostel

Honestly, I was stuck trying to find a place to sleep in Tokyo for under $80 a night. Everything was crazy expensive or a hostel dorm, and I really wanted my own space. A friend in Osaka told me to look for business hotels in less central districts, like near Shinagawa station instead of Shibuya. I booked a tiny room at the Hotel Mystays for $65 a night, which was half the price of places a few stops closer. The room was basically a bed and a bathroom, but it was clean, quiet, and had free wifi. The train station was a 5 minute walk and a 15 minute ride got me right to the busy parts of town. I spent the money I saved on way better food. Has anyone else found a good spot by staying just outside the main tourist zone?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucasw822mo ago

That 15 minute train ride adds up fast though, especially after a long day of walking. I stayed in Shinagawa once and the last train back was a real hassle if you missed it. The extra time and money spent on transit ended up canceling out the hotel savings for me. Sometimes paying more to be in the middle of things is worth it for the convenience alone.

fiona_murphy2mo ago

Remember getting stuck in Shibuya once after the trains stopped, @lucasw82. The taxi fare was a brutal surprise that wiped out any earlier savings. Now I just factor in that late night cost when picking a place to stay.

casey_ramirez352mo ago

My buddy tried saving cash by staying way out in Ota City. He missed the last train from Shinjuku and the taxi ride back cost him almost eighty bucks. He said it felt like throwing money out the window after a long day. Now he always checks the train schedule before booking anything.