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Times
3 days ago
- Times
17 of the best hotels in Tokyo
Tokyo doesn't ask visitors to understand it — it dares them to keep up. No one who's ever spent any time in Japan's sprawling, neon-lit capital will wonder why it was once nicknamed 'the city of 808 villages': one minute, it seems, you're sipping single-origin espresso in Shimokitazawa; the next, sampling exquisite sushi in Golden Gai, or getting lost in the silence of an ancient Shinto shrine, or gazing in awe at the Imperial Palace (while perhaps wondering if it's too soon to eat again). With so much to take in and so many diverse neighbourhoods to explore, choosing the right base is key. It might be that you're drawn to a gleaming, high-tech tower overlooking the financial district; a hip reimagining of a capsule hotel in lively Shibuya; or a family-friendly crash pad in Akihabara, aka Electric Town — where thousands of computer games beep and flash in giant arcades. Whatever your dream bolt hole looks like, you'll find something to suit. This is our pick of Tokyo's best hotels. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for ultra-luxe living This six-floor behemoth in the upper echelons of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu tower gives guests another tempting option near the already in-demand Ginza district. Coursing through the decadent spa (treatment rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows displaying gorgeous city views), intricately lacquered bedrooms and expansive roof terraces is a pleasing marriage of Japanese courtesy and Italian exuberance. Everything is meticulously placed, from the gold and green mosaic tiles of the 40th-floor swimming pool to the Bvlgari bedside lamps. As with anything gem-encrusted, it's not cheap, so expect to splurge for the pleasure. • Discover our full guide to Japan£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for luxury The top six floors of the 38-storey Otemachi Tower provide the unlikely home of the Aman Tokyo, found in the city's slick financial district. Decor is inspired by the country's heritage, with stone, washi paper and wood all adding to the understated design. Each of the 84 ryokan-inspired bedrooms is a delight, with low beds and stone bathtubs; while the spa, spanning two floors, has an onsen-style tub to soak in and a 30m pool where you can peer out across the city through floor-to-ceiling windows as you rack up some lengths. Dine at the sushi restaurant where fish is sourced daily from the Tsukiji Market and rolled by the dedicated sushi chef — or pull up a seat at Arva, an Italian-inspired restaurant with a show kitchen. Book ahead for afternoon tea: the pastry chef's creations have become so popular that the hotel has opened a shop in the subway station downstairs.£££ | SPA | Best for foodies This is a hotel made for foodies, who can dine at the flamboyant eight-seat Tapas Molecular Bar, the upscale Cantonese restaurant Sense, or the French fine-dining option Signature, which has sensational views across Tokyo to match its cuisine. The stylish 179 rooms (including 22 suites) also have similarly dramatic panoramas (binoculars help Fuji look even closer), bespoke MO smellies, and in the slick spa there's a hot tub guests can soak in for a small additional cost. Back on street level, you will find yourself in the Nihonbashi district, one of the more historic neighbourhoods to survive downtown.£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for cityscapes Views of the biggest city in the world don't come better than those at the Ritz Carlton. By day it's your perch from which to wonder at Mount Fuji, by night a front-row seat for watching a sea of city lights sparkle. Its never-ending rooms are as sleek and contemporary in design as they are vast in space; rich grey fabrics, floor-to-ceiling windows and lavish marble-clad bathrooms. The hot tub and pool feel equally indulgent and you can dine at one of seven restaurants, choosing between sushi, kaiseki, tempura and teppanyaki at Japanese restaurant Hinokizaka.£ | Best for hipsters If you thought that Shoreditch and Brooklyn were full of hipsters, brace yourself for the mad world of the Harajuku district. For some young Tokyoites, every day is Halloween here — no costume is too wacky, and no style is too strange. Matching this outlandish locale, the Millennials Shibuya offers a new high-tech take on the famous capsule hotel model, with beds that morph from seats to beds in front of their own projector TVs. They also have a (very) happy hour every day, with free beer for all guests.£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for Imperial Palace views It's hard to beat Palace Hotel Tokyo for location — sitting adjacent to the Imperial Palace and overlooking its gardens, its 1-1-1 Marunouchi address is among the most expensive in Japan. The rooms are remarkably spacious, especially the Premier Suites. Tradition is key here and is what draws its often kimono-clad guests. Afternoon tea is served on lacquerware stands while its Japanese restaurant Wadakura has private rooms with tatami flooring. Esterre, the Michelin-starred collaboration with legendary French chef Alain Ducasse, has handmade washi paper adorning its walls.£ | Best for families For some, visiting Akihabara will be a trip to the Tokyo of their imagination. Once dubbed Electric Town, today it's the heart of the city's nerd (or otaku) culture, with thousands of computer games on offer in colossal arcades, a dizzying selection of tech shops, manga and anime meccas and (in)famous maid cafés. Leaning into its unsubtle surroundings, the BnA STUDIO is a loud art hotel in the heart of the action. Rooms are designed by local Japanese artists, including one by the wonderfully named collective 81 Bastards.££ | SPA | POOL | Best for restaurant choice If hotels are supposed to match their surroundings, the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills fulfils the brief admirably. This huge, stylish hotel is cool enough to tempt well-to-do residents from this much-envied postcode to join hotel guests in dining here (there's a choice of ten excellent restaurants). Any first-time visitors to the city will be able to begin their sushi journey at Roku Roku, while Shunbou offers much more elaborate kaiseki menus. For anyone who can't be bothered to leave their room, it's possible to get room service delivered to your balcony. £ | Best for old meets new While super-traditional ryokans are rare in Tokyo, modern takes on the historic Japanese inn formula have become more common. Few do this better, or for a more reasonable price, than Andon Ryokan. Instead of hot baths there are hot tubs, and there are plenty of western dishes alongside Japanese options at breakfast. That said, guests can still participate in authentic tea ceremonies, while it's futons rather than four-poster beds in the rooms. Anyone staying here will also be walking distance from the Kappabashi district, renowned for expertly crafted tempered steel kitchen knives.££ | Best for couples There are many fine hotels close to the Imperial Palace gardens but none quite like Hoshinoya. At once a modern luxury hotel, ryokan and skyscraper, it offers a uniquely Japanese experience in the heart of Tokyo that begins with the impossibly enthusiastic greeting. Incredibly, there's an onsen on the 17th floor, allowing guests to unwind in hot spring water at an improbable altitude. The decor is authentic and practical, with tactile touches tempting you every few yards as you pad around in your yukata and slippers. In the low-lit, wonderfully pared-back basement restaurant you will be served exquisite French-Japanese creations; factor in the whole evening for dining because you will spend plenty of time lingering over each dish before reluctantly compromising the quite extraordinary presentation.££ | SPA | POOL | Best for location The Conrad may not be the most imaginative hotel in Tokyo but its service is first-rate and it has an enviable location in Ginza. A host of Japanese artists have contributed to works around the property too, while its position — spread over ten floors of a 37-storey skyscraper — afford it superb city views. The five restaurants on site are worth considering but for gourmands, the fact that the property is within walking distance of Michelin-starred restaurants will alone justify the reservation.£ | Best for nightlife Tokyo has more oddities than most cities, and not just because of its colossal size. It perhaps shouldn't be surprising, then, that one of the most popular experiences is simply crossing a road. Thousands of pedestrians simultaneously cross Shibuya Junction during rush hour and this intense activity has resulted in it being featured in dozens of films. The Shibuya Stream Hotel is remarkably close to this curious attraction, and all of Shibuya's great nightlife. The decor inside is western in style, with exposed brick and polished woodwork to the fore, and the Torrent Bar is ideal for a couple of looseners before heading out into Shibuya's sea of neon in the evening. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for guests with tattoos A hotel with a pool is virtually useless in Japan if you have tattoos; while no longer illegal, body art is still frowned upon due to their association with the yakuza (the Japanese mafia), with guests often asked to leave gyms, pools and bath houses. Not so at the Tokyo EDITION, where cocktail maestros in the edgy Gold Bar proudly sport them. Modernity streaks through the rest of the property too, from the indoor jungle that's the lobby to the spacious rooms in muted colours reminiscent of Scandi-chic and Japanese minimalism.£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for early check-in/late check-out With a dedicated exit from Hibiya Station, the Peninsula Tokyo is all about thoughtful extras. Take the dressing tables for example, where a discreet fan exists solely to dry your nail polish. Need to send something to the laundry? There's a dedicated cubby where you can leave items for your valet and vice versa. Even the smallest rooms resemble suites, with their own seating area and double-sinked bathrooms. But perhaps best of all is Peninsula Time — you can check in from 6am on arrival and enjoy a late check out of 10pm if you book direct. | Best for your own private world The geisha districts in Kyoto and Kanazawa may be more famous but Tokyo's Kagurazaka was once renowned too. Opened in 2019, Trunk (House) has been built inside an old Geisha house. The novelty doesn't stop there — it has just a single room and, intriguingly, a miniature nightclub as well. Karaoke is available on request but such is the bijou nature of this unique boutique property that you won't have to worry about a big audience. The decor is a clever blend of traditional Japanese and western, while the cypress-wood bath will feel like a treat for anyone who makes time for it. £ | Best for tradition While ryokans are more typically associated with Kyoto and rural areas of Japan, Tokyo has managed to retain a few amid its rampant growth over the past 70 years. Few are more popular, or offer a more traditional Japanese experience, than Ryokan Sawanoya. Guests will be expected to leave their shoes at the door and wear yukatas (cotton kimonos) inside. Nights are spent sleeping on futons rolled out on the tatami mat floors, while the staff do their utmost to make sure you're comfortable. Even their website feels traditional, having been designed in the 1990s and stayed almost heroically lo-fi ever since. ££ | SPA | Best for peace and quiet Serene spaces are few and far between in Tokyo's heady metropole, but this blissful blend of neat Japanese design and sleek, modern touches may just mark the start of a new trend. Skirting the edge of the funky Shimokitazawa neighbourhood, Yuen Bettei Daita is a hot spring onsen, ryokan and tea house all rolled into one. Designed in the style of a spacious Japanese house, this stone, wicker and wooden property oozes tranquillity; voices involuntarily drop to near whispers on entry and heart rates plummet in the warm, alkaline-rich waters of its many baths. • Best things to do in Tokyo• Best things to do in Japan Additional reporting by Lucy Perrin, Qin Xie and Julie Alpine
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Time Out
Tokyo ranked as one of the best cities in the world for nighttime tourism
While Tokyo is great to explore any time of day, it truly comes alive at night – it's a 24-hour city through and through, as we explored in our latest 24 Hours in Tokyo issue. The capital is widely praised for its safety, stunning night views and affordability, making it a top-tier choice for travellers worldwide. The folks over at UK-based travel booking site Travelbag seem to agree, as they've just listed Tokyo as one of the top destinations for evening tourism in their ranking of the most beautiful cities come sundown. Responding to growing interest in nighttime tourism, Travelbag compiled the ranking by evaluating factors such as Instagram hashtag volume, light pollution levels, safety after dark, and the number of late-night venues across cities worldwide. On their list of the ten most beautiful long-haul cities (as seen from the UK, presumably) at night, Tokyo came in at number two, trailing only New York City. According to the survey, Tokyo is a great place to spend an evening thanks to its lively alleyways like Shinjuku's Golden Gai, a plethora of local izakaya, and a stunning cityscape that blends futuristic lights with traditional aesthetics. Tokyo was also praised for its plethora of options when it comes to hanging out at night, with nearly 1,000 venues open late into the evening. Additionally, the city scored a respectable 75 out of 100 for its nighttime safety. Along with Tokyo, Kyoto made the list in sixth place. The old capital doesn't have nearly as many late-night venues, with just over 110 spots, but it scored impressively high on the safety scale, earning an 83 out of 100. Here's the full top ten ranking: New York City, USA Tokyo, Japan Dubai, UAE Singapore, Singapore Muscat, Oman Kyoto, Japan Sydney, Australia Seoul, South Korea Toronto, Canada Melbourne, Australia For more information on the ranking, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo The Fuji Rock timetable for 2025 is here The timetable for Summer Sonic 2025 is out now 4 Tokyo bars named in the World's 50 Best Bars 2025 list Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition
Japan Times
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Stories from behind the bar at Shinjuku's Golden Gai
This is a sponsored story, created and edited exclusively by Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Golden Gai (meaning "Golden District") lies in the space between Shinjuku's upscale department stores and its glowing nightlife district. Once the home of Tokyo's black market, this 6,600 square meter district has nearly 300 tiny bars that attract locals and visitors eager to immerse themselves in Tokyo's rich history with a drink in hand. We spoke with three key figures of Golden Gai: former chairperson Bunmei Tobayama, current chairperson Kei Sekine and long-time bar owner Kazuko Sawano, to uncover the essence of this cultural gem. A journey through time Tobayama, the revered former chairperson of Golden Gai, embodies the spirit of this vibrant district. He has witnessed its transformation from a hidden haven for counter-culture artists to a celebrated cultural landmark. "In the early days, this place was a sanctuary for artists and rebels," he reflects, recalling when literary giants like Yukio Mishima sought solace here. "Each bar has its own personality, creating a unique atmosphere for conversation and creativity." Born in 1947 in Nagano Prefecture, a region west of Tokyo renowned for its picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage, Tobayama's journey to Tokyo's arts scene seemed destined. An actor by trade, he began his career as a pharmaceutical worker but was captivated by Tokyo's avant-garde energy when he moved to Shinjuku at 20. Bunmei Tobayama shares his background and the rich history of both Golden Gai and his bar, Kurakura. | Ryo Fujishima "Golden Gai originated as a post-war entertainment district, which helped shape the vibrant atmosphere the neighborhood is known for today," he explains. "Back then, such areas were a refuge for outsiders and creatives where unconventional minds gathered under dim lights to exchange ideas freely." It was a time when art and rebellion walked hand-in-hand, a sentiment that still permeates the narrow lanes today. Preserving Golden Gai has been fraught with challenges, as developers have threatened to reshape Shinjuku's gritty landscape. "There were times when it seemed Golden Gai might vanish entirely," he recalls, acutely aware that its disappearance would mean losing a piece of Shinjuku's soul. Together with bar owners and patrons, Tobayama fought to maintain its unique charm, knowing that the alleys carried not only memories but the very essence of Tokyo's creative spirit. In 1972, he took over Kurakura, a bar that became a hub for creatives. "Kurakura is more than a bar," he insists. "It welcomed everyone, from film critics to bohemian actors, offering a refuge for late-night conversations." The bar soon became renowned for fostering creativity and camaraderie, where voices of dissent and passion filled the air, fueling countless artistic dreams. As Golden Gai gained international acclaim, particularly after its mention in the Michelin Guide, Tobayama welcomes new visitors, hoping they appreciate its spirit. "Golden Gai thrives on conversation and respect—a place for listening and sharing," he emphasizes. He fondly reminisces about a profound conversation with musician Ryuichi Sakamoto shortly before his passing, underscoring the deep connections formed within these walls. A new age Sekine, the current chairperson, brings a fresh perspective to Golden Gai. His bar — bar plastic model — pays homage to the vibrant pop culture of the '80s and '90s. A symbol of his determination to craft a personal experience, the bar is designed as a haven where every item and song evokes nostalgia. "I wanted to create a place filled with my favorite things, much like building my own toy model. It's a space where people feel as if they're slipping back in time," he shares, highlighting the retro decor that fills the space. Sekine's journey to bar ownership was unconventional. Initially involved in the film industry, he was first introduced to Golden Gai during a memorable night that reignited his passion. Around 2003, he noticed a surge of young bar owners infusing the district with renewed energy and creativity. "It's wonderful to see so many new faces," he acknowledges but stresses the importance of appreciating Golden Gai's history and spirit. Kei Sekine reflects on his journey and the evolution of Golden Gai, blending tradition with innovation in his current role as chairperson. | Ryo Fujishima Reflecting on the changing landscape, Sekine observes that while Golden Gai retains its charm, its clientele has become increasingly international. "Social media has broadened our reach, attracting visitors from around the world," he notes. "During the pandemic, I started streaming on Twitch, and customers have come to visit after joining the live stream." The allure of the '80s continues to draw people, and he appreciates the unique interpretations visitors bring. When discussing Golden Gai's essence, Sekine says, "It's about connection and community. Despite its small size, each bar offers a unique atmosphere, allowing for a diverse range of experiences." He hopes to preserve the core values of creativity and camaraderie that have always defined this place. A community of acceptance Sawano, the owner of bar Buzz for over 22 years, shares her story of spontaneity and courage. Leaving a stable job at a Swiss company, she opened her bar, which has since become a welcoming haven adorned with black-and-white photos of icons like Marilyn Monroe. Sawano was introduced to Golden Gai by a friend who unveiled its magic. For her, Golden Gai's allure lies in its diversity. "You can flow in and out of shops depending on your mood," she explains, emphasizing that with nearly 300 bars, there's always something new to discover. Bar owner Sawano Kazuko shares her story of spontaneity and acceptance, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere of Golden Gai. | Ryo Fujishima Sawano values the community's acceptance and individuality. A memorable encounter involved a stunning individual in a kimono who revealed himself to be a man in drag. She saw the same man the next day, hand-in-hand with what she assumed was his wife. "No one is judgmental here; everyone holds space for each other," she reflects. During our conversation, a Swedish man visiting with his nephew joined us, sharing how he had lived in Tokyo for over a decade and frequented Golden Gai over the years. "There's something about Golden Gai that keeps you coming back," he said. His nephew, experiencing Golden Gai for the first time, expressed amazement at the variety of bars and eagerness to return. Golden Gai's narrow streets come alive at night. | Ryo Fujishima As these three figures share their experiences, they reveal that Golden Gai is more than just a nightlife destination; it is a community steeped in history, creativity and connection. Each bar tells a story, and each visitor adds to the vibrant narrative that makes Golden Gai a cherished part of Tokyo's cultural landscape.
