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Tokyo is a big city with lots to see and do. It has old traditions and new energy. Can you visit Tokyo without spending too much money? Yes! My name is Musa. I’ve been to Tokyo many times. I’ve stayed in different places and spent different amounts of money. I want to help you.
I’ll share my tips for finding cheap places to stay. I’ll talk about the best location in tokyo for you. I’ll tell you why most of Tokyo is a very safest part of tokyo. And I’ll help you decide how many days in tokyo you might want. Let’s plan a great Tokyo trip that fits your budget.
For a broader look at the country, these tips fit perfectly into the advice in our main guide for planning your first trip to Japan.
How to Stay in Tokyo Cheap: My Best Tips
I know how to stay in Tokyo cheap. You need to plan a little. Prices changed in 2025, so planning is even more important. But you can do it. I learned on my first big trip: book your room early. This is very important.
Understanding Tokyo Room Costs (2025 Update)
Room prices have gone up. A business hotel room that used to cost ¥7,000 a night can be much more now. It’s more important than ever to look for good prices.
This is usually the cheapest for solo travelers, often fun places. Read reviews to check if they are clean and have what you need. I remember Nui near Asakusa was good. These are 2025 prices, so book very early!
Rooms are very small, like many cheap Tokyo hotels. The APA Hotel Pride Kokkaigojidomae I stayed at was about $70 before 2025. Now, expect to pay around $200 or more. Some deals start from $46. Some have hot spring baths (onsen), which is nice.
Great for families or groups. More space and small kitchens. Mimaru Tokyo Station East or Ueno Inaricho are good ones. They cost more, but you can save on food. They are comfy. Book these very, very early, especially for busy times.
Good cheap business hotels. Rooms are small but clean. Toyoko Inns often give you a simple free breakfast. I stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn in Kanda; it was easy to get around. Prices are likely higher now, so check current 2025 rates.
Booking Smart: Tips for Good Deals
To stay in Tokyo cheap, you need to book smart. Look at prices on sites like Booking.com or Agoda. Also, check the hotel’s own website. Sometimes, booking right with the hotel is cheaper or gives you extra good things.
💡Pro Travel Tip: Book Very Early!
This is my most important tip for Tokyo, especially since 2025 prices went up. Good deals for cheap rooms or family rooms sell out months before. For busy times like cherry blossom season, book even sooner!
Watch out for extra fees when sites change money prices. If you can, pay in Japanese Yen at the hotel. This can save you money. I saw Agoda sometimes charged more if I didn’t watch out.
Location: Good Value Outside the Main Yamanote Line
The JR Yamanote Line is a popular train line. Staying near it is easy. But you can find cheaper places if you look near other stations.
Tokyo’s trains are great. If you are near any train station, you can get around easily. Places like Asakusa or Ueno feel different. They are often calmer. You might find better prices there too.
What is the Best Location in Tokyo for Your Trip?
Choosing the best location in tokyo depends on how you like to travel, how much you want to spend, and what you want to see. Each part of Tokyo has its own feel.
Popular Busy Areas: Shinjuku and Shibuya
Shinjuku and Shibuya are very lively parts of modern Tokyo. They are full of shops, places to eat, and fun things to do. Shinjuku Station is huge! I got lost there my first time.
It was like a small city inside the big city. These areas are good if you like lots of action. But hotels here can cost more.
Quieter Nice Areas: Asakusa, Ueno – My Family Favorite
If you want a quieter place, I like Asakusa. My family and I stayed at the Tosei Hotel Coccone Asakusa. It was at 3-26-10 Asakusa, Taito. The rooms were new and nice. We could walk to Senso-ji Temple and the Skytree. Ueno is also good. It has a big park, museums, and a market called Ameyoko.
🌍Hidden Gem: Asakusa in the Evening
Senso-ji Temple is very crowded in the day. But Asakusa is wonderfully quiet in the evenings. It’s a nice area for a walk. You see a different side of Tokyo life. It’s great for families who want a calmer place to stay.
It was calmer for my family. You can often find cheaper hotels in these areas. This helps you stay in Tokyo cheap. And you can still get to other places easily.
Think About Your Plans: Stay Near Your Interests
Think about what you want to do most. If you like museums, Ueno is a good choice. If you like anime and electronics, Akihabara might be a good place to stay, but it can be very busy. Staying near the things you want to see can save travel time. It makes your trip better.
Is Tokyo Safe? My Time in the Safest Part of Tokyo
People often ask me if Tokyo is safe. My answer is yes, Tokyo is very safe. I think almost all of Tokyo is a safest part of tokyo. I have walked around at all times of day and night. I always felt safe. It’s a great feeling. Like any big city, small crimes can happen. But serious crimes against visitors are very uncommon.
I saw some homeless people living in tents, for example, by the Sumida River. They kept their places neat and didn’t bother anyone. The funniest thing that happened to me was a happy drunk man. He yelled “Cheers Fucker!” at me from across the road. I just laughed!
Areas to Be More Careful: Kabukicho and Roppongi
Most of Tokyo is safe. But places like Kabukicho in Shinjuku, and some parts of Roppongi, are different at night.
It’s not usually about being physically hurt. It’s more about people called ‘touts’. They try to get you to go into their bars or clubs.
⚠️Touts in Nightlife Areas
In Kabukicho and Roppongi, especially late at night, some people (touts) might keep asking you to go places. They might say “massage” or ask you into a bar. These touts are often not Japanese. My tip: just ignore them. Don’t talk to them. Don’t go anywhere with them. Say ‘no’ clearly and walk away like you know where you’re going. This usually works. Once, some women grabbed my arm to pull me into a massage place. I just pulled my arm away quickly and left.
Source: My own experience and general travel smarts
The main worry is getting tricked. You could be charged too much money. Or, I’ve heard sometimes people’s drinks get something put in them if they go with a tout. Areas like Roppongi Hills or Tokyo Midtown are nice and safe; it’s the bar areas you need to be more careful in.
How to Handle Touts and Small Problems
The best thing to do with touts is to say no politely but strongly, and then walk away. Sometimes, other tourists who have had too much to drink can be a bother in nightlife areas.
Very early in the morning, busy places like Shibuya might look a bit messy with trash before the cleaning people come. This is not a safety problem, just something I noticed.
How Many Days in Tokyo Do You Really Need?
Many people ask how many days in tokyo they should stay. Tokyo is huge. You could explore for years and still find new things! I’ve taken short trips of 4-5 days and longer ones of 10 days.
Plan Your Days: Explore by Area
When I stay in Tokyo longer, like for 10 days, I plan my days by area. This means I do things that are close to each other on the same day. It saves travel time. Tokyo’s trains are good, but the city is big.
For example: One day, I visit Ueno Park, its museums, and Ameyoko market. Another day, I go to Shinjuku Gyoen garden and the tall Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for views. Then, I might see Meiji Jingu Shrine, then walk to Harajuku’s Takeshita Street and the fancy shops in Omotesando.
My Practical Tips for Your Tokyo Trip
Here are a few more things I learned that can make your Tokyo trip easier:
If you need to use big train stations like Shinjuku, look at station maps online before you go. This helps you find the right exit! Public transport is great, and the first trains often start around 4:30 in the morning.
Important Things to Know: What I’ve Learned
Here are a couple of specific things to remember:
Don’t worry too much about choosing where to stay in Tokyo cheap. If you are near a train station and the hotel fits your budget, you’ll be out exploring most of the time anyway!
Helpful Websites for Your Tokyo Trip
Here are some websites I’ve found useful for planning Tokyo trips. The 2025 market is busy, so book far ahead!
- Booking.com: Booking.com – Lots of choices.
- Agoda: Agoda – Good for Asia.
- Google Hotels: Google Hotels – Compare prices.
- Mimaru Hotels: Mimaru Official Site
- Toyoko Inn: Toyoko Inn Official Site
- APA Hotel: APA Hotel Official Site
- JNTO: Japan National Tourism Info
- Tokyo Metro: Tokyo Metro Trains Official
- JR East: JR East Trains Official
- Yamato (Bags): Yamato Luggage Forwarding
- Kamakura: Kamakura Tourism Info
- Nikko: Nikko Tourism Info
- Yokohama: Yokohama Tourism Info
FAQs: Your Questions on How to Stay in Tokyo Cheap and More
I hope this guide helps you plan a great and cheap trip to Tokyo! It’s a city I love, and I think you will too.
What’s the very cheapest way to stay in Tokyo?
Hostel dorm beds are usually the cheapest. This is good if you travel alone. In 2025, they cost about $16 to $31 USD a night. Book them early. You can also stay in Tokyo cheap if you stay a little away from the very busy city center.
What is the best location in Tokyo if it’s my first visit?
Shinjuku or Shibuya are easy and exciting for a first visit. But places like Asakusa or Ueno are calmer. They are still easy to get around from. They often cost less too. Think about if you want a calm place or a busy place.
How safe is Tokyo for visitors? Is there a “safest part of Tokyo”?
Tokyo is very safe. I think most of the city is very secure. Places like Kabukicho need more care at night because of touts, but real danger is not common. Use normal city smarts, but it’s one of the safest big cities I know.
How many days in Tokyo are good for seeing the main sights?
To see the main sights, 4-5 days is good. If you want to see more and maybe take a day trip, 7-10 days is great. Tokyo is very big, so there’s always more to see!
Are Tokyo hotel rooms really small?
Yes, especially in cheaper hotels and business hotel chains like APA. “Double” beds can be smaller than what you expect. If you need space, always check the room and bed size (in cm or inches) before you book.
Can I use my credit card everywhere in Tokyo?
You can use credit cards in more places in Tokyo now, like big shops and hotels. But it’s still a good idea to carry some cash (Yen). Smaller restaurants, local shops, and many temples might only take cash. So, have both if you can.
Is it easy to get around Tokyo if I don’t speak Japanese?
Yes, it’s quite easy. Major train and subway stations have signs in English. Many tourist spots also have information in English. People are often very helpful, even if they don’t speak much English. A translation app on your phone can also be useful.
When is the best time of year to find cheaper rooms in Tokyo?
To find cheaper rooms, try to avoid peak travel times. Cherry blossom season (usually late March to early April) and Golden Week (late April to early May) are very popular and expensive. Times like late autumn (October-November, outside of autumn leaf peaks) or parts of winter (January-February, avoiding New Year) might have better deals. Always book early, no matter the season.
Is Tokyo safe for women traveling alone?
Yes, Tokyo is generally very safe for women traveling alone. I’ve met many solo female travelers who felt very comfortable there. The same general city safety rules apply as anywhere, like being aware of your surroundings. But overall, it’s one of the safest big cities for solo women.
Do you have any tips for eating cheap in Tokyo?
Yes! You can eat well without spending too much. Convenience stores (like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson) have surprisingly good and cheap meals like onigiri (rice balls) and sandwiches. Ramen shops and places selling gyudon (beef bowls) are also great value. Look for “lunch sets” at restaurants; they are often much cheaper than dinner.